Executive Suite: Ron Rothman, Melville

Home security has advanced far beyond door sirens. Now there's even an app for that, from Honeywell Security Group of Melville. The company's technology also makes it possible to check on an elderly parent, find out when a delivery arrives, turn your lights out, listen for breaking glass, change your thermostat, lock your doors, even detect a water leak.

Honeywell Security started in a Brooklyn garage and evolved to a Long Island campus of nearly 600 employees. Likewise, Ron Rothman, 50, started out by answering phones and is now president of the group, a unit of Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions responsible for the development, manufacturing and distribution of burglar and fire alarms, access-control and video-surveillance systems for 120 offices in more than 40 countries, and more than 200 wholesale supply branches.

What are some new developments at your company?
We just released our new Tuxedo Touch, a home controller with a color touch-screen display, which controls the security system, thermostats, lighting controls, window shades, locks and other devices. Also, the systems have the ability to send you a video clip of an activity that occurs when you are not home -- so you might have a package being delivered, a child coming home from school, your elderly parent going into the kitchen -- the camera will capture and send you a 10-second clip.

What does your new app do?
Total Connect allows homeowners or business owners to connect to their home or office through their iPad, BlackBerry or Android device. They can see into the home or business with video cameras, and they can control the video system and get information out of it.

What are you developing now?
We're going to continue to develop more and more sensors around those applications. So, for example, we just made a really cool [wireless] sensor for outdoor applications for detached fences, sheds or garages. Now it's affordable, whereas it used to cost thousands to entrench wires.

Are you hiring on Long Island?
We are always hiring. I look for people who are self-learners and are curious and want to improve themselves and have a great future. I believe that if people are talented and energetic and want to learn, this is a great place to be.

What is your favorite gadget?
It has to be my own Total Connect. I use it all the time. I use it to check in on my home when I'm away and work with contractors in the house.

What's your favorite way to unwind?
I like to work out, so I go to the gym a lot. I think it gives the people here a break; they get rid of me for an hour.

CORPORATE SNAPSHOT
Name. Ron Rothman, president of Honeywell Security Group in Melville

What it does. Manufacture electronic security systems for homes, businesses and government properties. "We are in the peace-of-mind business. We are innovators in security, comfort and control."

Employees. More than 7,000 worldwide; 592 on Long Island

Roles they play. Business management, research and development, engineering and quality assurance, finance, information technology, human resources, legal, sourcing, sales, marketing and communications

Revenues. About $2.5 billion