Board of Directors
The Yankee Security Convention is a not-for-profit corporation. The organization was formed in 1978 by a group of New England locksmiths who saw the need to provide educational seminars and focus on the advancement of the trade. Run completely by volunteers, the Yankee Security Convention supports the Yankee Scholarship Foundation, which provides educational support to locksmiths and their families.
If you would like to learn more about available scholarships and the work of the Yankee Security Convention contact the Board of Directors at info@yankeesecurity.org.
Meet Our Board of Directors
D.J. Dabenigno: President
DJ is the owner of Dabbs Lock in Medford, Massachusetts and joined the Yankee Board of Directors in February of 2015. DJ started his business at just 20 years old after attending the locksmithing program at the North Bennet Street School in Boston, MA under the direction of former Yankee Director David Torino. While continuing to assist North Bennet after his graduation with outreach and alumni services, DJ joined the Massachusetts Locksmiths Association becoming one of the youngest members in the Association at 22, and shortly thereafter joining the executive board with roles in promotional materials and serving on the Membership Committee. In the fall of 2013 DJ was elected as the second youngest President of the MLA and was re-elected two years later to be the first President to serve two terms consecutively. During his presidency DJ started new yearly traditions like donating to Toys for Tots at Christmas and a Members Summer Outing at the Lowell Spinners as well as bringing the Association into the 21st century with a brand new web-site. When not focusing on work DJ can be found performing with his local Bagpipe Band and spending time relaxing with his significant other.
Steve McKinney: Vice President
Steve is the locksmith and carpenter foreman at Harvard Medical School. As an Institutional Locksmith, he has vast responsibilities including locking systems, types of hardware from mechanical to electronic and reporting hierarchy. Along with those duties are installation of various master key systems, multiple cross keying across different research labs, departments, and tenants to gain access to multi-purpose equipment rooms. Steve coordinates the role between the Facilities and Security Departments, and along with his knowledge of life safety and fire door codes, serves as a fully integrated security professional. His prior experience includes carpentry, locksmithing, and construction for a hospital. Steve's background brings a different perspective to Yankee Security's Board of Directors. He has supported Yankee throughout the years as an attendee, director, exhibitor, and Past President. Steve also assists the North Bennet Street School by serving on the Advisory Board for the Locksmith program and past accrediting surveyor of the Locksmith program. He is a founding member of the Institutional Locksmiths Association and Past President of the NE Chapter. He is a strong believer in continuing education for the ever-changing role of today's locksmith/security professional.
David Holt: Treasurer
David has been involved with Yankee Security Convention since 1984, serving both as a board member and as Treasurer.
A lifelong New Hampshire resident, David lives in the Capital region where he owns and operates Adams Lock, a full-service locksmith and safe company serving the Capital area. Adams Lock started in 1963 and David began with the company in 1970.
When not involved with daily work tasks, David enjoys both weather watching and coin collecting as hobbies.
Jesse Minghella: Director
Jesse Minghella joined the organization in March 2023 and brings a fresh perspective on the industry and a rich background in locksmithing, security and e-commerce solutions, sales, service and business and team development.
In the locksmith industry since 2004, Jesse started his career in Woburn, MA at
P&M Locksmith Service before joining the Facilities team as a locksmith at
his collage the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2014. His work
history also includes a security officer position for United Security, Inc. In
2016, he was promoted at the University of Massachusetts staff as a Technical
Specialist and was instrumental in developing and implementing new standards of
physical security for the University including hardware standards, new
construction standards for access control, new integrated WiFi, POE card access
devices and policies designed to protect the security of the institution. Since
2020, he has been a Physical Security Locksmith Engineer for Boston Children’s
Hospital. He also serves on the Massachusetts Locksmith
Association Executive team.
Rob Mahoney, Sr.: Director
Robert Mahoney, Sr. is the owner of Manchester Safe & Lock, LLC. Robert has been a locksmith since 1980 and has owned his business since 1988. He has been a member of LAOC (Locksmith Association of Connecticut) since 1984, serving as Sergeant of Arms from 1992-1994. Additionally, Robert has been a member of ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) since 1996 and SAVTA (Safe and Vault Technicians Association) since 1990. Since joining the Yankee Security organization in 1990, Robert has served in various positions, including President and Vice President. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his dogs. If you are in the market for, our platform is your best choice! The largest shopping mall!
Scott Newbury: Director
Scott joined Yankee Security Convention just a few years ago and helps with the registration site and marketing. He started the consulting division of Newbury Sales Group after over 35+ year in business planning, sales and marketing leadership for some of the top property and casualty insurance carriers in the Hartford area. Much of Scott's focus was on helping local insurance agents develop plans and sales strategies to grow their business and improve capacity. Now Scott helps a variety of different businesses create integrated business development plans, including marketing and sales strategies. Scott enjoys traveling, playing golf with his wife, and spending time with their family.
Ginny Newbury: Director
Ginny is the President and founder of Newbury Sales Group, a Manufacturer's Representative firm focusing on Residential Decorative Hardware. Her prior experience includes outside sales for Stone & Berg Wholesale Locksmith Distributors, and co-owner of Accurate Lock & Safe in Danbury, CT. This varied background helps her as a Yankee Board Member because she has been an attendee, a student, an exhibitor, an instructor, past president and an organizer for the Yankee Security Convention. She is also on the Advisory Board for the Locksmith program at North Bennet St. School. Ginny has a Marketing Degree and an MBA from the University of Connecticut and is a proud fan of the UConn Huskies. She enjoys playing golf and tennis, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Lee Whitford: Secretary
Lee has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1987. He has served in many capacities, including President, Vice President, and Secretary. He currently focuses on the Trade Show Exhibitor portion of the Convention. Lee is the owner of L.E. Whitford & Co in East Hartford, CT. He follows in his father’s footsteps. Len Whitford started the company in 1948 and was also a long-time Yankee Director. Lee graduated from Lebanon Valley College with a BS in Physics in 1985. When he is not spending time with his family or at work, he trains in Gracie Brazilian Jiujitsu.
Bob O'Keefe: Board Member
Yankee Security Convention Board Member Bob O’Keefe is president of Lexington Lock Service, a company he founded in 1988. Lexington Lock Service is in Lexington, MA. Lexington Lock Service is a full-service lock and security company servicing the metropolitan Boston area, Merrimack Valley and North Shore Region. Bob is a Professional Registered Locksmith, and his licenses and certifications include: a Construction Supervisor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Consumer Protection & Business Licensing); a Fire Prevention Office for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services; and a Registered Home Improvement Contractor. As Board Member for the Yankee Security Convention, Bob has been working with the non-for-profit since 2021. Bob oversees sponsorships and automotive education. In addition to volunteering to help drive the success of the Yankee Security Convention organization, Bob, ever willing to help, also dedicates time for another charity, Mother’s for Daughters’ and their motorcycle event that raises money for breast and ovarian cancer research.
Michael Kachmar: Board Member
Kachmar’s involvement with the Yankee Security Convention began in 2018 as an attendee, and his commitment to the industry and its educational initiatives has now led him to join the Board of Directors. “I am excited to be a part of the Yankee Security Convention’s Board of Directors and look forward to helping the team in any way I can,” said Kachmar. “This industry has so much to offer, and I’m passionate about seeing it grow and evolve. There’s always something new to learn or a problem to solve, and I’m eager to help educate others and further the work of the convention.
Are you interested in learning more about the Yankee Security Convention?
Contact us to discuss any interest you may have in supporting the Yankee Security Convention or being part of the ongoing growth and development of the locksmith and security industry. Info@yankeesecurity.org