Ethan D – Security Sales Technician
Ethan DeCosse didn’t just oversee the installation—he sold it, built it, and lived it from the first handshake to the final test. The Blazer Center project was more than a job; it was a hands-on lesson in teamwork, communication, and delivering exactly what the client needed.
“This was a unique one for me,” DeCosse said. “I sold the project, then installed all the new Verkada devices—cameras and door access control—and kept communication constant between the customer and Kidwell.”
Building Security Around People
The Blazer Center was designed to serve as a multi-use facility for a private school, featuring a basketball court, stage, classrooms, and additional learning spaces. Kidwell’s scope included 53 cameras, 22 access-controlled doors, and a video intercom—systems that had to blend seamlessly into a building originally constructed in 1948 and expanded over several decades.
Navigating old brick, unpredictable pathways, and decades of add-ons required patience and planning. “Finding pathways through old channels in the school to get our cable from A to B got very tricky and complex,” DeCosse said.
Halfway through, the customer asked for more: additional door access control quotes, with no extension to the timeline. “Everyone involved stepped up and accommodated the customer’s request,” he said. “We got everything implemented and followed their timeline. All around a great effort by everyone.”
Effective Communication
For DeCosse, the heart of project success wasn’t technology—it was clear, consistent communication. “Verbal communication with the customer and end user was key,” he said. “That person-to-person confirmation helped us understand their goals.”
On site, simple tools helped the team stay aligned. Two iPads let them aim and program cameras in real time, marking off completions on digital prints as they went. Email, OneNote, and daily check-ins kept everyone—from Nebraska helpers to the local crew—moving in sync.
Safety, Every Step of the Way
Kidwell’s culture of safety showed up in the results: no injuries, no near misses, no damage. “Everyone wore the correct PPE, whether we were in the new addition or the existing building,” DeCosse said. “The entire team did a really good job staying safe and following Kidwell’s rules and guidelines.”
More About The Project
Pride in the Finish
DeCosse measures success by what the client sees and what the team built together. “I truly got to see this one from start to finish—selling it, installing it, adding a new scope halfway through, and still meeting the timeline,” he said. “The guys that came up and helped were efficient and knowledgeable. Without them, I’d probably still be there trying to get it done.”
