Magazine names Blytheville security chief to "20 under 40" list

Ron Self will admit that the most recent honor by "Security Director" magazine is a reflection on his work with the Blytheville School District, but he also knows that the district's Technology Department, and especially Superintendent Richard Atwill, have had significant roles in Self's success because they are so proactive.

Self, the district's security director for the last seven years, was recently named one of Security Director's "20 under 40" award winners. The honors are presented each year to young professionals 40 and under in the physical security industry. Self is one of only two winners from the education sector.

Self said his position with the district has changed so much in the past few years because Atwill is proactive when discussing what can be done to keep students safe.

"For example, there were no lockdowns in our school district when I was hired," Self said. "And when we began doing lockdowns, they really weren't enough in terms of stopping a person from harming anyone. This year, though, our lockdowns are much more advanced. This past summer we implemented 'active shooter drills', and now the students and teachers are more actively involved in drills and training. We are constantly coming up with new and innovative ways to keep our students safe."

Another area that Self has seen unprecedented growth regarding school security has been in cameras. He said the Blytheville School District has 202 cameras on its property, including 82 at Blytheville High School alone.

"In 2009, our school district was the first in the country to implement these more advanced technological cameras; in fact, these cameras are so finely detailed that they can be used to read school identification cards that are worn by the students," he said. "Mr. Atwill and the men in the Technology Department are so proactive and forward-thinking. They are always looking for the best ways to keep the students safe."

"Security and technology are continuing to close in on each other, and people have to find a way to do the most with what they have because budgets are pretty tight," he continued. "It really takes a team that thinks 'outside of the box.' One-hundred percent of our camera systems were installed in-house by the Technology Department and me, and this would have never been possible without their help."

Self is scheduled to go to Delray Beach, Fla., in late January to receive his "20 under 40" award and participate in the "Technology and Security Solutions: Merging Technology with Security" discussion. He has also been asked to speak at the national conference about his experience with merging technology and security.

Self believes that within a few years the security industry will see a gradual move to make its products more technologically advanced.

"Everything is automated," he said. "Every camera is tied to an alarm system, and it won't be too long before access control is where it is headed. More and more items are being Internet-based, technology-based. In the near future, I can see everything related to security moving in that direction."

Self spent seven years as a police officer before coming to Blytheville, most of that with the Jonesboro Police Department in its School Resource Officer Division. He and his wife Amanda have two children.