Sonitrol Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, a provider of verified electronic security for homes, schools and businesses, announced its dealers’ association’s newly elected officers at theSonitrol National Dealers Association (SNDA) Annual Convention and Awards Banquet. The 2014 SNDA Convention celebrated Sonitrol’s  50^th year and was attended by more than 400 Sonitrol personnel. The 2014 SNDA officers are: Jeremy Bates, president (Lexington, Ky.), Joey Rao-Russell, vice president (Fresno, Calif.), Leo Wanstreet, treasurer (Detroit, Mich.), and Chip Shiver, secretary (Cincinnati, Ohio).

As the newly elected SNDA president, Bates spoke about the company’s 50-year history of excellence, as well as the company’s vision for the future.  “It’s an honor to have been chosen by the SNDA as their new president,” Bates said. “On behalf of the entire Sonitrol family, I’d like to thank outgoing president Chuck Harrelson (Raleigh, N.C.) for the exceptional job he’s done over the past year.

“As we look back and celebrate Sonitrol’s first 50 years and all that we’ve built, I can’t help but to eagerly look ahead to the future of our company. As verification plays an increasingly larger role in the electronic security landscape, Sonitrol will continue to redefine excellence within our industry,” Bates said.

Sonitrol, founded in Anderson, Ind. in 1964, is acknowledged as the originator of verified electronic security, after founder Robert Baxter and Anderson Police Chief Al Cronk adapted the acoustic devices from Baxter’s pest extermination company to detect to human intruders.

Sonitrol personnel took time during the conference to reflect on the company’s rich history and record of success, which includes assisting police officers throughout North America in more apprehensions of intruders than any other security company.  To date, Sonitrol has assisted in more than 170,000 since 1977, when the company began recording apprehension statistics.