The Security Industry Association (SIA), the largest international trade association representing electronic and physical security product manufacturers, specifiers and service providers, has honored Rob Zivney, vice president of marketing, Hirsch Electronics, with the SIA Statesman Award for his work on Personal Identity Verification (PIV) related issues and recent congressional testimony, as well as his leadership role in SIA webinars and the SIA Government Summit.

"Rob has been instrumental in support of SIA's government relations programs and initiatives," said Richard Chace, executive director, SIA. "His extraordinary leadership has positioned SIA to address the public policy challenges impacting the electronic physical security industry."

The SIA Statesman Award was presented during SIA's 2008 Government Summit in Washington, DC. The award recognizes Zivney's continued efforts on behalf of the industry and SIA to educate and establish working relationships with the federal government and industry leaders. 

Zivney has spent more than thirty years in the security and building controls industries with expertise in access control and intelligent building systems. He serves on the SIA Board of Directors; chairs SIA's PIV Working Group, and represents SIA to the Smart Card Interagency Advisory Board (IAB) Physical Access Committee. Further, he is active in standards activities with SIA, ASHRAE/BACnet, OASIS/oBIX, NMSAC and RTCA. A sought-after industry speaker, his opinions and market outlook are often quoted in the industry trade.

"We believe that a strong, healthy security industry is critical to homeland security," said Mr. Zivney. "The involvement of Hirsch's leadership and expertise contributes to the industry's strength and ultimately provides our clients with insight into evolving security standards, regulations, development, technologies and innovative applications."