Eugene R. Anderson
Anderson Lock
In Memoriam: Sept. 4, 1940 - May 30, 2023
Eugene R. Anderson, the founder of Anderson Lock Company, in Des Plaines, Ill., transformed his one-man locksmith shop into Chicago's premier commercial door and locksmith services company.
In 1960 at age 20, Gene founded Anderson Lock. The visionary entrepreneur built his business by becoming a distributor for leading lock manufacturers, establishing loyal relationships with customers, and by believing in and empowering his lock techs and office staff.
Gene joined Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) and Door and Hardware Institute (DHI). He earned his Architectural Hardware Certificate (A.H.C.) in 1982. An innovative, ever-optimistic business leader, he published the first of six door hardware catalogs in the 1980s. Gene, an early adopter of technology, launched his company website in 1998.
Today, the thriving lock and commercial door sales and service company has two locations, 30 red service vehicles, and more than 100 employees. Gene’s daughter, Cortney Wascher, assumed leadership of Anderson Lock in 2007, yet in his retirement, Gene led extensive renovations to transform an immense manufacturing facility in Elk Grove, Ill., into the third home for Anderson Lock’s rapidly expanding Door Division. Gene, diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) in 2019, welcomed walkers via video messages to ALS Walks, raising over $100,000 for research.
Darrell Babb
Babb Security Systems
Darrell Babb started out as a locksmith helper, working alongside his brother Lorne at Babb Security Systems, St. John’s, Newfoundland, back in 1979. Since then, he has become not only a master locksmith but a hardware specialist. He’s AAADM certified, a certified Stanley technician and widely regarded as the most respected safe and vault technician in Newfoundland and Labrador. Darrell has mentored numerous technicians over the years and now manages a team of 15 techs in the family business.
“I think Darrell is deserving of this award because he has dedicated his life to not only his family and friends but to this trade as well. Darrell is a humble and honest man who generously gives of his time and skills whenever needed. A true gentleman who brings honor and integrity to his trade,” Lorne Babb said in his nomination.
Steve Cothron
Cothron’s Security Professionals
Cothron's Security Professionals – the oldest locksmith company in Austin, Texas – just celebrated its 75th anniversary. In 1948, Olen Cothron bought out a magazine shop on 4th and Congress, and the brand is still going strong: Olen's son, Steve, is the president. Steve's daughter, Angela, is the accounting manager. Angela’s husband, Daniel, is the operations manager. Several other relatives work for the company, as well as employees who have been around for decades, all combining to offer more than 500 years of lock experience.
When Steve inherited the business from his father, he also adopted the fundamental philosophy of “never leave a customer unhappy.” Cothron’s would not be what it is without its employees, and Steve handpicked each of them. He takes talented and motivated individuals, gives them all the tools they need to grow, and checks in on them – both professionally and personally – regularly.
For years, Steve has been a member of multiple industry organizations, including ALOA Security Professionals Association, Safe & Vault Technicians Association, and Texas Locksmiths Association. Since 2018 (when the category was first introduced), Cothron's has been named the best locksmith in town in The Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin poll.
Stephen Craigen
LocksmithTXK
Steve Craigen has been repairing, replacing and installing locks throughout the Texarkana area for more than 30 years. He spends countless hours doing research or going above and beyond for each customer to ensure they get the best product and price, as well as the best service. He will find a solution to all safe, lock and key needs for residential, vehicle or commercial needs.
Steve makes sure his technicians have the most knowledge available and the best tools for each job. His attention to detail makes a difference, not only in the field, but in everyday life and as a business owner.
Craigen has 30-plus years in locksmith and security Industry, is an ALOA and SAVTA member, was the STRATTEC Locksmith of the Month for March 2022 and is certified/licensed in access control and locksmithing.
“He is someone I admire deeply and strive to have the work ethic and passion he demonstrates. Steve is selfless and giving and shows so much compassion for every situation or person. I can't think of anyone else more deserving in the industry. His passion for this industry far beyond anything I've ever experienced. I'm the manager here at LocksmithTXK and honored to stand beside him in this business but I'm even more honored to call him my bonus dad,” Lisa Cook wrote in her nomination.
Sebastian Di Palma
Target Security Systems
Sebastian Di Palma has 39 years of experience in the locksmith industry, including 26 years with Columbia University. At Columbia, he created and maintained the university standards for doors and door hardware as well as all campus master key systems. Di Palma left his position of Head Locksmith in control of 3 million square feet of campus to become a locksmithing instructor. He is currently a Lock & Hardware Sales Specialist at Target Security Systems, New York City.
Di Palma has achieved the following:
National School of Locksmithing & Alarms
Certified Installer LCN Door Closers
ALOA Certificate of Training Simplex Manipulation
ALOA Certificate of Training Life Safety Codes & ADA
ALOA Certificate of Training Hardware Scheduling & Site Survey
Certificate of Completion Institutional Lock Shop Management
Certificate of Completion LCN Automatic Operators
Certificate of Completion Fire Door Inspection Ingersoll Rand
Certificate of Completion Mechanical & Electrified Exit Devices Allegion
Anna Fouts
Anna’s Lock and Key
Anna’s Lock and Key, the mobile locksmithing service operated by Anna Fouts since April 2005, provides general locksmith service, master key systems, rekeying, residential hardware, door locks, installing locks, emergency home, auto and commercial lockouts, serving Arlington, Marysville and Stanwood, Washington.
Anna Fouts was nominated by her colleague, Michael Harold, owner of Harold Locksmithing. “I had just graduated from Foley Belsaw in 2012 and started reaching out to other locksmiths that might help me better learn the trade. Anna has been my mentor and trusted advisor in the locksmith trade. She has taught me everything the Foley Belsaw course didn't and more. It's been an honor to know her, and I am extremely thankful for all the knowledge her and her mentor Wayne have passed down to me. She is extremely deserving of this nomination,” Harold said.
Thanking Harold for the nomination, Fouts added, “Locksmithing can be a very lonely job sometimes, and locksmiths aren't, as a whole, very helpful to one another. I feel that when we help one another and refer customers to other legitimate locksmiths in our area when we are too busy to help someone, that's one less person who gets taken advantage of by a scammer.”
Larry Friedrichs
Assured Security
Larry Friedrichs started as a locksmith in 1978 with Armor Security. He went on to become the service manager and then general manager of Bloomington Security Solutions for more than 25 years. He is currently an account manager working with integrators providing electrified hardware services. Over time Bloomington Security Solutions purchased Assured Security and Minneapolis Lock & and Key and is now operating under the name Assured Security in Bloomington, Minn.. Larry was an advisor in merging the three companies.
Friedrichs was past president of the Minnesota chapter of ALOA, Medeco's first DBK council, advisory member for the locksmith program at Pine City Technical College and past board member of MNESTA (Minnesota Electronic Security Association). Outside of work Larry served as an Edian volunteer firefighter and past president of the Edina Lions Club. He is currently active in aquatic invasive species detection for the Gull Chain of Lakes Association and the University of Minnesota.
Michael Hyde
National Auto Lock Service
Automotive locksmith Michael Hyde created and updated the AutoSmart books, a well-known locksmith reference guide, published for 30 years. He also created the MyAutoSmart App, available for the last 14 years. Hyde published the Transponder Books for 1998, 2000, 2004, 2008 & 2013.
Additional accomplishments in the locksmith industry include:
· Created the original TCODE & MVP User manuals
· Sold the first NGS machines to Locksmiths
· Created the original NGS user manuals
· Sold the first DART machines to Locksmiths
· Created the original DART user manuals
· Created the original EZ-Flasher manuals
· Wrote many automotive locksmith articles for a national locksmith publication
· Assisted with the development of the TCODE & MVP in the U.S. for 8 years
· Founded & managed the USA office of Advanced Diagnostics
· Assisted with the development of Acura, Honda, Lexus & Toyota ECU Immobilizer re-programming
Herman Manzanares III
Los Alamos Lock and Key
Los Alamos Lock and Key is a third-generation family business. Herman Manzanares III has been with the company for 31 years and now owns the business. Herman has been recognized for his work with the local elementary schools, senior center, and fire department. Herman is a contributing writer to Locksmith Ledger magazine and loves helping follow professionals and customers with their needs. Herman helped to develop the Zia hot air balloon house key for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta gift shop.
Manzanares is an ALOA registered locksmith who has 31 years of experience in the security industry. Herman is a STRATTEC-certified automotive locksmith. Herman is the recipient of numerous community asset awards for his commitment to the local community. Additionally, Herman holds certificates from ALOA, Schlage Primus, and American Security Products.
Jake Matteson
Locks and Unlocks
As the owner of Locks and Unlocks, Jake Matteson displays an unwavering commitment to his craft and community. Jake's journey in locksmithing is guided by his deeply rooted values of compassion, integrity, and service. A devout Christian, Jake approaches every aspect of his business with a profound sense of purpose, viewing his work as an opportunity to positively impact the lives of others.
Through Locks and Unlocks, Jake embodies the motto ‘we are not in the business of locksmithing but the business of helping people.’ Recognizing that locksmithing is often an overlooked trade, Jake actively engages in outreach efforts to raise awareness about the myriad solutions locksmiths offer. Through Locks and Unlocks, he seeks to demystify common misconceptions, such as the belief that one must visit a dealership for a new car key or a hardware store for a replacement lock.
Throughout his career, Jake has achieved numerous milestones, including the expansion of Locks and Unlocks' service areas to encompass Sun Prairie, Stoughton, Watertown, and Madison. Jake is active with ALOA and SAVTA, attending trade shows, seminars, and educational courses, where he continually expands his locksmithing knowledge base, embraces technological advancements, and networks with fellow professionals to share insights and expertise.
Barry "Buzz" McMenimon
FlyLock Security Solutions
Barry "Buzz" McMenimon boasts a distinguished four-decade tenure in the locksmith/security Industry. His father, William McMenimon, laid the foundation for the family legacy by establishing the Flying Locksmiths in 1946, operating initially from the confines of a humble Jeep.
Buzz's journey commenced alongside his father and three brothers, where he navigated roles spanning locksmithing, dispatching, salesmanship, and ultimately stewardship as a sole proprietor. Leveraging innovative marketing strategies, including eye-catching signage atop service vans, Buzz grew the company through a franchising model. Collaborating with his sons, Barry and Brett, Buzz steered The Flying Locksmiths to expand its footprint nationwide, now proudly boasting more than 90 franchised locations with continued expansion on the horizon.
Buzz's credentials include certification as a Certified Master Locksmith (CML) from ALOA and membership in SAVTA. He remains a staunch proponent of ongoing education and knowledge-sharing within the locksmithing community, ensuring the proficiency of over 200 locksmiths under his purview across the country.
Uriah Ortiz
Guardian Safe and Lock
Uriah Ortiz started his company to innovate and create a dynamic business that would help bring the industry standards, branding, marketing, and professionalism to the next level. “Guardian Safe and Lock boasts about 100 blog articles on our website and three YouTube channels: Guardian Safe & Lock, UDROpreneur, and Guardian Approved. We have plans to expand and open multiple shops across Texas over the next few years and are setting an example of what a real modern locksmith security shop should look like. We love what we do and we are constantly innovating and improving and won’t be satisfied until we are the household name in the industry,” Ortiz says.
After working for another lockshop, Ortiz launched Guardian Safe & Lock LLC in 2010, starting out as a one-man show. Now Guardian employs 13 technicians, offering CCTV, Access Control, Residential & Commercial Locksmithing, Automotive Locksmithing, and Safes.
Ortiz is a member of SAVTA, ALOA and the Texas Locksmiths Association and serves on the board of directors for the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce.
Al Pante
Phil & Son Locksmiths
Al Pante started Phil & Son Locksmiths in 1972. As a sole proprietor, he built the company into a very successful operation over 50 years, becoming the leading locksmith in Indiana. He is a CPL member in ALOA and SAVTA. His professional standards were high and his knowledge for mastering the locksmithing craft was next level. He has designed some of the biggest, most intricate Medeco master key systems in the country. Al was a member of GCLA, notably vice president and president for four years. He enjoyed teaching classes and training locksmiths and developed a great reputation for it all.
After retiring in 2020, the second generation is carrying on his legacy, bringing professional locksmith services to our communities,
Jon Payne Sr.
LockHelp911.com and Locksmith Lessons LLC
Jon Payne Sr. is a seasoned veteran in the lock and security industry, boasting more than five decades of dedicated service. His journey began in 1975 in the Washington, DC, area, where he laid the foundation for a prosperous locksmith shop, which he later sold in 1989. Next, Jon's career took him to Atlanta in 1992, where he played a pivotal role in the formation of TESA/Entry Systems, eventually evolving into Onity, Inc., a global leader in electronic hotel locks. With contributions to five patents and leadership in research and development, Jon significantly shaped Onity's trajectory within the industry.
Following his tenure at Onity & UTC, Jon's passion for education led him to Lockmasters Security Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. There, he contributed to the redevelopment of the basic locksmithing class and the electronic access control curricula.
In 2009, Jon and his wife embarked on a new endeavor, not just a business venture, but a commitment to their values. They transformed their property in Elberton, Ga., into a thriving organic farm. Noting a gap in locksmith services in his area, Jon founded a new locksmith company in 2012, providing essential retail and mobile locksmith services to an underserved area. Always one to give back, Jon initiated a unique "pay it forward" initiative, handing over his business to an experienced locksmith at no cost, ensuring continued service to the community.
Even in his semi-retirement, Jon remains committed to sharing his expertise. He does this through consulting, technical support, mentoring, and online classes. His ventures, including LockHelp911.com and Locksmith Lessons LLC, reflect his unwavering dedication to advancing locksmith education and support. Additionally, Jon's patent-pending Lockset Blocks offers professional-grade innovative lock display mounts and other specialty items for lock and safe technicians.
Steve Sacco
Local Locksmith
Steve Sacco and his wife Sharonown Local Locksmith in Queen Creek, Ariz.. With more than 230 Google 5 Star reviews and 20 years of serving local customers, Local Locksmith is a go-to security company for many clients.
Steve has been in the locksmithing industry for more than 20 years. Prior to becoming a locksmith, he worked in the Information Technology industry as a technician, engineer, programmer, business owner, instructor and public school teacher. A combination of IT experience and mechanical aptitude gives him unique insights into the electronic and physical aspects of the locksmith industry.
Sacco is an ALOA ACE certified instructor and has taught classes for ALOA , the Professional Associated Locksmiths of Arizona, Just Cars, and the Texas Locksmith Association. Additionally, he is a member of the Original Lishi Tools marketing team and a Factory Authorized Certified Trainer. Sacco also serves as the Original Lishi Tools webmaster and social media administrator. Lastly, he is a contributing author for Keynotes magazine and has also written for the now-defunct National Locksmith magazine and many locksmith association newsletters.
Douglas I Schneider
Bay Cities Lock & Safe, Inc.
Doug Schneider has successfully run a locksmith business for 44 years, and has trained many employees to a high standard of locksmithing. His customers trust him to always give them the best options for their application.
Bay Cities Lock & Safe, Inc (BCLS) in San Jose, California, was started in 1980 after Schneider had worked in three other commercial locksmith companies learning the trade. While expanding his knowledge and experience in all things locks and master keying, he learned to specialize in how to set up master key systems. He chose to specialize in commercial locksmithing (though his company provides the full range of locksmithing services) to focus on giving exceptional quality in service within this specialized field.
“Doug goes above and beyond to take excellent care of his customers. He ALWAYS takes calls from other locksmiths and is ALWAYS willing to help them with a variety of locksmith issues. Even when he is on a date with his wife! He sets a wonderful example for the industry,” Laura Schneider said in her nomination.
Brian Sweeney
Sandia Safe and Lock
Brian Sweeney, CRL, is the president of Sandia Safe and Lock in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has served as the president of the Associated Locksmiths of New Mexico for many years.
“I had the pleasure of working for Brian for two years. He truly has a passion for this industry. I have never seen anything like that. He was instrumental in expanding Best's footprint in this area. He collects Best logo padlocks as well as many other types. So many other things outside of Best, I could not mention them all. He was a strong presence in our small local association. I cannot say enough good things about Brian,” stated Chris R Gonzales with the Albuquerque Public Schools in his nomination.
Thomas Thill
Transponder City
Automotive locksmith Thomas Thill has a long history of working with Gale Johnson on many projects over the years and passing along automotive knowledge every month. Both based in the Chicago area, Gale and Tom worked together on a number of detailed, how-to projects.
Thill credits Johnson with helping foster “the passion of locksmithing that we both shared and I now share that feeling with Phil Agius from Framon Manufacturing. We both talk about him still. Thanks Gale for your life experiences.”
Thill is a Locksmith Ledger contributor and his latest project involves push keys, which enable locksmiths to decode cylinders and cut keys for automotive locks without taking apart the lock cylinder. A push key is a marked key blank that has a tiny notch cut into the tip at various depths depending on the keyway. When inserted into a cylinder that has wafer tumblers, the notch makes contact with a wafer or not depending on the wafer’s depth.
Thill has used push keys for decades and has made and sold the tools to locksmiths on an individual basis. Now, through a relationship with Framon Manufacturing, Thill’s taking his method for decoding automotive wafer locks to the masses.
Joe Wainwright
Wainwright's Inc.
Wainwrights Inc is a full-service, family-owned locksmith company established in 1947 in Tucson, Ariz.. Joe Wainwright has been in the locksmithing trade and business since either 1971 or 1973, along with his father, Dick (now retired), and his brother, Tim.
“I consider Joe a mentor and a walking encyclopedia of locksmithing,” said Jim Boudreau of Desert Diamond Casinos in his nomination. “As I entered the locksmithing trade in 2000, I became acquainted with Joe Wainwright & Wainwright's Inc via multiple referrals by other lock shops in the area when I was searching for a specific lock solution. Joe was the only one who provided a viable solution for me. As I became more acquainted with Joe, he took the time to educate me on how different locks work and how to install them, teaching me tips & tricks of the trade.”
Steve Young
Autolock Solutions
From Tech-Train tools and "how-to" opening videos in the 1990s, to the growth and direction of Locksmaster's automotive division, to the Locksmith Ledger articles spread over all these years, to his passion of helping locksmiths grow in their field, Gale Johnson would be proud to have Steve Young receive this award with his blessings.
Steve was the owner and CEO of Tech Train car-opening tools and training videos, then later sold his business to Lockmasters. In recent years, he has owned and operated Autolock Solutions, an automotive locksmithing company based in Pensacola, Fla.. He is the author of automotive data books used by automotive locksmiths to perform most any automotive repair or lock replacement and a frequent Locksmith Ledger contributor.
In his nomination, fellow locksmith Donald Milton describes him as a “stand-alone fountain of history, innovative changes, and current state of the art in automotive locksmithing and a good friend to locksmiths around the world.”
