chological Aspects of Running a Service Company.” The feedback I received on the title was, “Who would read a book titled that?!” So I settled on a more toned-down and to-the-point title. My last manual, on fire door and frame repair, deals with a specific subject that locksmiths encounter every day and is a great reference for the material needed in this type of work. Everything I write is based on my experience in the field, and there isn’t a class that I teach that my students don’t teach me something new that I adopt to better the course material. What is your teaching style? Do you like to be more hands on or do you prefer lecturing more? What a great question! Each course is unique and requires a different teach- ing style. Life Safety Codes is interac- tive lecturing. CFDI is repetitive lectur- ing to drive the material for retention. Shop management is very informal one on one, and fire door repair is lecturing with hands on. This last one is not pos- sible for hands on outside of the training center in Dallas. What do students get out of the classes you teach? Because I encourage my students to stay in contact with me via text or e-mail with is- sues they need help with, I feel that they get knowledge passed on to them from some- one who has been in their shoes and will be there for them beyond the classroom. What kind of a difference have you seen ongoing education make for those who pursue it? Knowledge is a scary thing in that when you don’t have it, you don’t know you don’t have it — but once you get it, you can’t wait to get out there and show it off. 56 KEYNOTES OCTOBER 2016 I believe the knowledge I give makes my student a more professional locksmith, and it shows in their interactions with customers and in their work! How do you think certifications benefit security professionals? Since I lead the industry in certifications (nine) I am qualified to answer this ques- tion, and I’ll tell you on a personal lev- el it’s what customers want to see. They may not know what all the credentials mean, but they know that you had to earn them. For me as an educator and expert witness, they’re essential for credibility. For the locksmith, it shows that at some point you tested and achieved that level of proficiency. I’m probably the worst test taker — and in most cases I have to take the exam three times to pass it. But I don’t give up because it’s a challenge; once I’ve started, I don’t quit. How do you spend your time outside of your professional and teaching life? What are your hobbies? Restoring antique key machines. I have over 300 in my collection now, and I have just started construction on an addition to one of my buildings to establish my Antique Key Machine Museum that I hope to have open by the end of the year. I buy old key machines no matter what condition they are in, and if I can’t re- store them, I use them for parts. I hope “Each course is unique and requires a different teaching style.” to preserve this small piece of our history for future generations. Name one interesting fact about you that most ALOA members might not know? I cook! I have written two Italian cook- books, and I own a private Italian club that features a seven-course handmade meal once a month for our 120+ members — four other chefs and I prepare food for three days for the feast. Last month, we roasted two 45-lb. lambs, baked 60 loafs of bread and cooked 25 lbs. of roasted potatoes, 15 lbs. of greens and beans, 15 lbs. of pasta orecchiette, 10 lbs. of meat- balls and three gallons of red sauce, along with making salad, brownies and gelato. What are the benefits you see from members attending the annual ALOA convention? Education and networking. Granted, you get some education at local distributor shows, but there’s nothing like a full eight hours of the intense up-to-date train- ing you get at an ALOA event. Last year, ALOA tried half-day classes, and I tried my two most popular classes — Life Safe- ty Codes and Shop Management — on the half-day schedule. The students didn’t like it, and all of the reviews stated more class time was needed. Networking with friends and colleagues is very impor- tant to our industry, and it allows you to bounce ideas off someone who may have insight into your issue. Both of these items are essential to the growth of the professional locksmith. What is your favorite ALOA memory? Becoming president and being able to share my business knowledge at a point when ALOA needed some business logic to get back on the right track. WWW.ALOA.ORG
