The board of directors of The Monitoring Association (TMA) announced the retirement of its CEO, Celia T. Besore.

Besore has served in successive positions during her tenure with the organization, which spans over 19 years of service. Her final day at TMA is Friday, July 18th.

“With Celia’s guidance, TMA has experienced consistent growth in membership and influence in our industry,” stated Steve Butkovich, president, TMA. “We’ve celebrated marked advancements in TMA programs (ASAP, Five Diamond, and FirstNet), standards, and advocacy. Her dedication to the monitoring industry has left a lasting impact on our members and partners in the security industry, public safety, and law enforcement. As a result of her competent leadership, TMA is positioned for continued success. The TMA Board deeply thanks Celia for her service to TMA and our industry.”

Besore first joined the then-CSAA staff in April of 1999 as director of marketing and communications, later becoming vice president of marketing and programs. In the ensuing 11 years, she also guided TMA’s membership and education initiatives — all the while achieving consistent growth of the organization. In August of 2010, she left TMA to become the executive director and CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN). She returned to TMA in January 2017, assuming the position of vice president of membership and programs. In November 2018, Celia was appointed executive director of TMA, later promoted to CEO.

“I am overwhelmed with both gratitude and pride as I reflect on my time at TMA where I have been afforded many opportunities to grow and advance in my career,” shared Besore. “Above all, my greatest rewards and inspiration have been appreciated in the moments of collaboration with the many dedicated and passionate professionals who are dedicated to the protection of life and property. I will always treasure the relationships I have made over the course of my tenure at TMA.”

Most notable among her accomplishments and contributions to the association during her tenure are: assisting with the development of the original Operator Level 1 and 2 Online courses; the introduction of social media; the creation of the Five Diamond program; the development of the Excellence Awards; the development of an marketing campaign for NAMTSE, which included a virtual expo and was recognized with an award by the American Society of Association Executives; the establishment of the first Compliance Community, which created an online resource of state licensing requirements; and the writing of the history of the first 50 years of the Association. She is also especially proud of TMA’s response to the pandemic, an unprecedented challenge for the industry and association. TMA supported its members during this period by offering highly attended weekly town halls covering the most critical issues of that week and providing them with many other resources and assistance.