EdinAlarm, Inc

Edina Means Business/Sun Newspapers
Wednesday, May 24, 2000

EdinAlarm Owner is Business Person of the Year

Barnett 'secures' Chamber of Commerce's highest honor

Jon Barnett, owner of EdinAlarm, will be surprised at noon today as this year's Business Person of the Year, the highest honor presented annually by the Edina Chamber of Commerce.

Although he was told he is a finalist, he will not know he is the recipient until sitting at the organization's annual luncheon meeting at Rosland Park.

Presented annually since 1978, the Business Person of the Year Award is given to a man or woman who actively supports private enterprise through sound business practices, operates a successful business, demonstrates creativity and innovation, displays a long-term commitment to the community and positively contributes to Edina's quality of life.

With previous experience as a co-owner of an alarm company in California, Barnett founded EdinAlarm Inc. a decade ago after moving to the Twin Cities. EdinAlarm provides residential and commercial security, closed circuit television, access control and fire protection.

To market his business and establish a customer base, Barnett quickly became involved in the community. Members of the Chamber said they fondly recall their first encounters with Barnett. FastFrame Regional Developer Tom Winn, 1999 Business Person of the Year, said the young businessman and avid golfer came to monthly general membership meetings to introduce himself to everyone he could. He brought golf balls to most gatherings to give as door prizes. "He must have given away thousands of golf balls," Winn said.

Barnett has been an active member of the Chamber, serving as the 1997-98 Board of Directors chairman. He has been involved in the Business Education Partnership and Gala committees. EdinAlarm has twice been a silver sponsor of the Gala, the organization's spring fund-raiser.

A husband and father of two, Barnett has been involved in many other areas of the community as well. He is a current board member of the Edina Community Foundation, helping to secure funding for educational and family programs, partnerships with community organizations and projects for seniors. He has also been a member of the Edina Rotary since 1991, exhibiting the club's mission of "Service Above Sell."

An auctioneer, Barnett has volunteered his time at many live auctions to benefit nonprofit organizations such as Edina/Morningside Rotary, ducks Unlimited, YMCA and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"When I first started working for Jon, I was amazed by his involvement in the Edina community, " said EdinAlarm employee Ruth Rysted. "For Jon, being a member of an organization isn't just on paper. He is enthusiastic in his participation at all levels. He loves to be involved. Many times, he will get a call at the last minute to act as an emcee or to do introductions for a guest speaker, lead the invocation or pick something up on his way to a function. He finds the time to be involved.

"Through each of the organizations Jon has been a member of, he has formed great business relationships. In many cases, those relationships have evolved into great friendships."

Mark Enger, senior vice president and administrator of Fairview Southdale Hospital, echoed her comments. "Jon's commitment to community and civic organizations is exemplary," he said.

"I rarely attend a community event when Jon is not only participating, but playing a leadership role. What makes Jon's community focus different is the constancy of his involvement. A lot of good people get involved with organizations for a particular cause; Jon is always involved because the organization itself is a good cause. In his 'spare time,' he owns and operates a small business that has been very successful."

EdinAlarm has grown quickly. Barnett's customer base has more than tripled in the past four years. In 1996, EdinAlarm had approximately 350 accounts. Today, the Eden Prairie-based company boasts an account list of 1,100. While many of Barnett's customers are residents of Edina or local business owners, EdinAlarm provides service all over the metropolitan areas and beyond. Staff estimates 95 percent of the company's business is in the surrounding five-county area.

"A true businessman gives what he can to the community that supports him. Jon Barnett does that from the heart," said Tim Murphy, owner of Murphy Automotive and chairman of the committee that selected Barnett as Business Person of the Year. " Because Edina has such a strong business community, I think this award really says a lot about the quality of work Jon has done."

Chamber President Patricia A. Tucker agreed. "Day in and day out, Jon Barnett demonstrates his commitment to the Edina Business community," she said. "He gives a tremendous amount of time and effort back to Edina and is deserving of the Business Person of the Year award."

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