From left to right: Michael Tarin, Diana Cowan, Elda Adame and Steve Cockrum at the International Agri-Center’s 2016 World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif.

Employees gather for a photo taken in the mid-80s.

Diamond Communications, based in Madera, Calif., was founded in 1968 by Sam Tarin, the older brother of current company President, Michael Tarin. While working for Hobart Scales, Sam discovered that a few of the little country stores he serviced were getting broken into. He saw the need for burglar alarm systems so he approached Valley Alarm, which helped him get started by selling him five alarm systems. After that, he started offering systems to the stores.

The name came about because Sam had a flooring business—Diamond Finished Floors—while he was attending college. Pleased customers remarked that he could make supermarket floors so shiny that they looked like they had a diamond finish, hence the company name. Sam’s ventures developed into Diamond Enterprises and, in 1981, the business was incorporated and became Diamond Communications, Inc.

Bringing Family in

“I am 20 years younger than Sam. During the summers, I would pull wire for him,” says Michael. At age 16 he got into the work experience program in high school and worked for his brother and a local locksmith business. Later, while attending junior college to learn about electrical systems and electronics, he joined full time. “Mom worked in the office and Sam’s wife, Brenda, became the corporate secretary. Sam and I would sell the systems, install them, and then service them,” he adds.

In about 1979, Diamond Communications began monitoring alarm systems and started its own central station when the police department quit monitoring burglar systems in Madera. The company contacts law enforcement immediately upon receiving an alarm signal. “We’ve often been instrumental in catching the criminals,” Michael says.

Emphasis on Training

That same year, long-term employee Diana Cowan joined the firm at the age of 17 on a high school work experience program, like Michael did. Diana started out as a dispatcher and ended up becoming the company bookkeeper and Office Manager. Michael and Diana set a precedent for an emphasis on training, which remains a corporate focus and an ongoing process. The corporation trains its central station staff and technical staff. “We participate in the WBFAA apprenticeship program for technicians,” says Michael. This is the state of California’s Electrician Certification program for fire/life safety technicians.

Michael continued training and schooling until he became a C-10 electrical license holder and achieved certification for fire alarm systems through the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET).

When the firm was incorporated in 1981, Michael became Vice President. Under the joint efforts of the two brothers, Diamond Communications continued to grow and to prosper. They expanded the business services, installing commercial and residential electrical systems and commercial public address (PA) systems in addition to burglar alarm systems.

“Through the years we’ve done a lot of work for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E). We installed the company’s security alarm systems and monitor its systems in our central station. We also provide an answering service,” says Michael. “The Dept. of Justice has been a large customer of ours as well. And we did the original PA system for the Firebaugh High School football stadium in Firebaugh, Calif.,” he proudly continues.

Technological Advances

New technology opened doors for the company as it evolved into specializing in remote surveillance cameras and shifted monitoring to Global Satellite Mobile (GSM) monitoring. “It’s like day and night in regard to the intelligence of the new systems in comparison to the simplicity of the ‘70s. Today, clients can control an area remotely and monitor security cameras on their own,” says Michael.

“We don’t necessarily try to be first to use a new method; but once the technology has been established, we endeavor to be dominant in it. That ideology has enabled us to install many fire alarm systems in commercial buildings, hotels and motels, assisted living facilities and condominium complexes,” he adds.

Progression, Advancement, Expansion

When Sam expressed a desire to retire in 1996, Michael purchased all the shares of the company from his brother and sister-in-law. He has operated the firm for the last 23 years and continued the family-oriented values by bringing his wife, Connie into the business. His children, Garrett and Cydney were fixtures in the office from an early age.

In 2007, Garrett officially joined the firm. “Garrett progressed from being in charge of purchasing to Vice President, and my wife, Connie, is Secretary and Treasurer. Cydney ventured off to have a career in dentistry.”

Diamond Communications continues to expand. It has made many acquisitions and purchased other alarm companies. “At one point, we purchased another low-voltage integrator company in San Jose, Calif. We provided security and low-voltage systems for the Transamerica Pyramid Center and a project for the city of Burlingame in California, along with many other projects,” says Michael.

Connection with California Alarm Association

Another aspect of the family/corporate culture is to hold itself to a high standard of principles.

“We are part of the California Alarm Association,” Michael says. “I am the chapter President of the local Mid-Cal Alarm Association. We have adopted the organization’s code of ethics, which includes: promoting the highest standards of performance and professional conduct in the electronic security industry; fostering objectives founded on principles of justice and integrity that are beneficial to all persons involved in the electronic security industry and the general public; providing mutual aid to members and disseminating information vital to the electronic security industry; and encouraging and supporting sound legislation affecting the electronic security industry.”

The team also contributes to the community. This association supports law enforcement, the fire department, and first responders. It holds charitable events, such as golf tournaments, to donate to the police department and sheriff department, and the canine unit. It donated over $12,000 to the Leon S. Peters Burn Center at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, Calif. “I am very happy to participate in this opportunity to help others in the community,” Michael says.

In closing, he adds: “We’ve always put quality and integrity in front of all the projects and services we’ve offered throughout the years. We continually strive to identify and to meet the needs of consumers and our employees. Some of our clients have been with us for over 30-plus years and many employees have been with us for over 25 years. This makes the Tarin family happy.”