Steve Garritson Receives Industry “Bill Cooper” Award

Honest communication, respectful dialogue, articulating concerns, listening, trying to find solutions that benefit all sides. Building bridges. H&S Co-Owner Mike Horgan cited these qualities (and more) inherent in the Bill Cooper Award, given annually by the Wisconsin Security Association (WISA).

Those qualities embodied Bill Cooper’s approach to his work in the security industry, and Horgan used them to recently honor H&S Co-Owner Steve Garritson with the 2020 Bill Cooper Award. The award, first given in 2007, also recognizes a balanced approach to problem-solving.

“Steve is an excellent fit for this award.  And that shouldn’t be a surprise, since he actually received it once before back in 2011,” Horgan said.

“If you have spent any time with Steve, you’ve probably seen his sense of humor; his ability to have fun and to laugh.  You may even have a sense for his love for and dedication to the alarm industry, which he has been a part of now going on 41 years.  But what isn’t always as obvious is the care that he has for his employees, his family and friends, for people in general; and that I think is what impresses me the most — his generosity and willingness to do the right thing,” Horgan added.

“…  When you’re in the trenches with someone like Steve for as long as I have been, through that many ups and downs, and especially through the hardest times; you learn a lot about someone — about their character, their true colors,” Horgan continued.

“I’ve known Steve Garritson for about 15 years, and most of them have been as his business partner.  During that time, we’ve been through a lot together — enduring some lows I wouldn’t wish on anyone; riding highs too good to believe; and everything else in between,” Horgan said.

“Hard-working, professional, sense of humor, and a good human being.  I’ve seen it first-hand for a long time now.  So it is a special honor for me to present this year’s Bill Cooper Award to our WISA Board Member-at-Large, and my business partner and friend — Steve Garritson.”

H&S Protection Honored as Wisconsin’s Security Dealer of the Year

The Wisconsin Security Association (WISA) recently honored H&S Protection with its “Dealer of the Year” award. It is the second time H&S has received the statewide prestigious award, which recognizes a company for its commitment to the security industry and to the communities it serves.

WISA icon Dave Koenig made the presentation for the association, specifically recognizing the leadership of H&S co-owners Steve Garritson and Mike Horgan. “Mike has been a previous president of the association, and Steve is currently on the Board of Directors. Their involvement in the association leads to the success of our industry, and the success of their business,” Koenig observed.

Koenig also pointed out the unique family ownership of H&S. “You have the fourth generation of the Horgan family working in their Stevens Point office. And the second generation of the Garritson family working in their Waukesha office. That type of commitment stands out in their local communities and leads to long-term success for their business and our industry,” Koenig said.

After the awards ceremony, Koenig said he was glad that Garritson attended, given Covid concerns. “We brought the whole team to the front for the presentation. Steve was completely surprised about the award, so we did a good job keeping the lid on it in the association,” Koenig said wryly.