Ann Ball and the Houston Convention Committee did an excellent job of coordinating events and activities for the convention.

In spite of the threat of Hurricane Lilli and a cruise boat with a blown motor, Convention 2002 went off Full Speed Ahead. Thursday�s golf tournament was a huge success. The team of Mike Mallon, Don Frank, Phil Frank and Dave Parker won first place. James Shrider, Gus Jimenez, and Anthony LaPorte won second, and Jim Shrider�s team won third place honors. Kevin Galloway was honored as the �golfer, most in need of lessons�.

The Thursday evening cocktail party welcomed convention attendees with so many lighthouses that one wag said the theme should have been �light the way.� For those who didn�t attend, you can just imagine the fun we had seeing Dave Parker, Houston Chapter President, murdering a pi�ata while the guests scrambled for marked poker chips to win the first round of the many door prizes give out during the weekend.

Friday�s continuing education classes were outstanding. Speakers from the Houston police department, Houston fire department, and Texas Mutual Insurance Company sparked much discussion. At lunch, �Mattress Mack� inspired us with ambition to renew our enthusiasm for our own business. Our own John Martin ended the long educational session with music and fun, setting the tone for Friday night�s entertainment. The cocktail cruise was relaxing; the bay at night is beautiful. And dinner at Spinnaker�s Caf� left most of us over-filled with super seafood.

Saturday�s business meeting ended early for the first time in recorded history, yet all the business was transacted in good order. Mark Smith was awarded Life Member for the years of outstanding support he has given to ASSIST. Each year the president selects one of the most outstanding members for an award. Dave Scepanski made four awards to outstanding members including Kyle Parks, Cliff Grumbles, Dave Parker, and Bruno Torres, Dave�s partner who has supported Dave so much this past year.

Charles Talbert presented his plans for the 2003 convention in San Antonio, and Dan Flores brought a member of the South Padre Convention Bureau, Sylvia Soliz, who addressed the members on plans for Convention 2004.

Thanks to all who attended � we look forward to seeing you all in San Antonio in 2003!

Our Congratulations to

TRACY ALLEN
of Aramco Services

Texas Security Officer of the Year!

Tracy was selected from eleven nominees throughout Texas for his initiative and dedication to duty. He was presented with his award by Jim "Mattress Mac" Macingvale at the ASSIST Convention on October 4th.

In the photo to the right, Tracy is shown with his immediate boss Don MacGray, Supervisor Security Operations; Talal Al-Sehli, Supervisor Security & Safety (both of Aramco); and his wife, Maria.

Convention Speakers & Contributors

ASSIST would like to thank the following speakers for their outstanding and informative presentations during Convention 2002:

• Officers Terry Bratton and Jim Connely, Houston Police Academy (Force - A Striking Topic for Security)
  

• Officer Mitch Garcia, Houston Police Academy (Ethics is Easy)
  

• Inspector Steve Deal, Houston Fire Marshall's Office (Fire - a Burning Issue for Private Security)
  

• Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale (Motivation)
  

• Cliff Grumbles, Executive Director, TCPS (Unlicensed Companies - How You Can Help)
  

• Sgt. Jim Binford, Houston Police Department Homicide Division (Homicide - Whose Side?)
  

• Cliff Grumbles, Executive Director, TCPS (Help Make Us Regulators - Not Revenuers)
  

• Kathleen Purcell, Texas Mutual Insurance Co. (Fraud! Is he really hurt?)
  

ASSIST would also like to thank the following persons and companies who contributed money, door prizes, services, and other gifts to help make our convention a success!

Come to South Padre

I would like to inform the Valley that I attended the Convention 2002, at Houston on the 3rd, 4th, 5th of October 2002, and had a wonderful time with the entertainment and the education was beneficial to me and to all the ASSIST members attending.

I was also able to convince the ASSIST members to hold the Convention in South Padre Island in the year 2004, which means the Valley, Brownsville, Harlingen, etc, have our work cut out for us to also have a great Convention.

I would also like you to know that I intend to have a Chapter in the Valley, this can be done with your assistance, The State president of ASSIST Dave Scepanski, and the Chapter President from Houston, Dave Parker are going to be meeting with all security companies, that hold a license, A, B, C, on Friday 24th January 2003, in Harlingen there is also the possibility of having some continuing education credit at this meeting.

For all of you that want to attend, please contact me at:

Dan Flores
American Investigations & Security International
275 Kings Highway Suite 108
Brownsville, Texas 78521
956-542-8256

Committee Recognition

Ann Ball and the convention committee really did a fantastic job with the convention this year! Ann personally set up all the continuing education speakers, and without exception, each speaker was interesting and informative.

Ann Ball gave gifts to each of her Convention Committee members after the convention was completed, and they all put a ton of time and effort into this highly successful event. Listed below are the convention committee members, and the areas they handled:

Jim Shrider...............Co-Chairman and door prizes
Bob Burt....................Treasurer & Scavenger Hunt
Kim Villareal.............Publicity
Phyllis Grimes...........Registration & Printing
EV Burke...................Awards & Cocktail party
Dave Parker..............Golf Tournament
Don McGray..............Marketing & Transportation
LaVonne Shrider......Spouse Events
Ed Clendenin............Security Officer of the Year
Ruben Amaya...........Cruise
Jennifer Rachac........Tote bags
Susan Griswold.........Ex Officio

Thanks to each of your for the great work! We all know this event took time away from your businesses, and we appreciate your dedication. This was one of the best conventions ever!

Convention Photos! (click to enlarge)

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