Michael Barnes founded Barnes Associates in 1986, an advisory and consulting firm that specializes in the security alarm industry. Based in St. Louis, he directs the firm’s mergers and acquisitions activities. Since founding Barnes Associates, he has been involved in more than 275 security alarm acquisitions, with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $28 billion. Barnes has served on the board of directors of the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (now ESA) and the Security Industry Association (SIA).
He also lectures at numerous events within the security alarm industry on matters relating to acquisitions, the availability of capital, and the operating dynamics and performance of alarm companies. In 2004, Barnes was among the initial group of 25 icons inducted into the SSI Industry Hall of Fame. Barnes Associates is a co-founder of the annual Barnes-Buchanan conference.