The Monitoring Association (TMA) announced Morgan Hertel, vice president of technology and innovation, Rapid Response Monitoring Inc., is its new president. He officially began his two-year term on Thurs., Oct. 14 at the conclusion of TMA’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting. Hertel recently served a two-year term as vice president on the TMA Executive Committee leading up to his presidency. He succeeds Don Young, ADT. Young will serve an additional two-year term as immediate past president on the TMA Executive Committee. 

“I am extremely excited about taking on the next two years,” Hertel said. “TMA is a very unique trade association in that it supports a culture of inclusiveness that both encourages and nurtures positive, productive collaboration. Most members have deep connections with other members and are able and open to working together for the betterment of the industry.” 

As TMA’s president, Hertel is focused on preparing TMA to meet the rapidly evolving needs of its members as technology increases at an exponential rate. While he acknowledges that much of the latest advances haven’t yet reached today’s monitoring centers, one of his primary goals is to bridge that gap. To him, this will require an active, healthy standards group; continued expansion of the ASAP-to-PSAP program; and expanded education to ensure monitoring centers possess a thorough understanding of the latest technologies.

“While I never consciously aspired to be the president of TMA, I have always been a strong, active proponent of the notion of giving back or paying it forward,” Hertel said, adding, “I strongly believe that individuals are called to give back to the industry in which they work. While there are, admittedly, a myriad of ways to do that, for me, this is part of executing on that belief.”

According to TMA CEO Celia T. Besore, “Morgan possesses an exceptional and distinctive depth of technical knowledge that has been, and will continue to be, a valued and strategic asset to TMA and its members. For years, he has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the advancement of TMA through his volunteer service as a member and as a leader. And now, as he begins his tenure as TMA’s president, I know, without hesitation, that this organization is on course for great success.”