Nortek Control and Gary Sinise Foundation Support Wounded Hero with Latest in Voice Automation, Home Control and Security

CARLSBAD, Calif., October 20, 2020  — Matthew Slaydon joined the U.S. Air Force in 1989. In 2002, after several years as an aircraft armament systems technician, Slaydon courageously retrained to become an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician, one of the most perilous roles an airman can pursue.

During his third deployment as an EOD technician, Slaydon was deployed to Baghdad as the leader of a counter-improvised explosive device (IED) team. On Oct. 24, 2007, Slaydon’s team received a call to investigate possible IEDs in Kirkuk, Iraq. Looking back, Slaydon cannot remember anything that transpired on that day, but it was later determined that an IED filled with 15 pounds of homemade explosives, rebar, nails and wood screws had exploded two feet in front of him, throwing him about 30 feet.

As a result of the IED explosion, Slaydon lost his left dominant arm, he suffers blindness in his left eye, and he endured many other severe injuries. After stays at three different medical centers and over 16 months of treatment at military medical facilities in Texas, Slaydon began readapting to civilian life. Through his recovery process, Slaydon was inspired to keep going because of his sense of duty, his family, and his military brothers and sisters. Matthew’s wife, Annette, was there to support him at every step of the way.

The Gary Sinise Foundation partnered with Nortek Control, local building contractors in Durango, Colo., and smart home automation firm Louisa's Electronics to build a new home that would ease Slaydon’s daily struggles and help restore his independence. Nortek Control contributed the ELAN^® smart home control system and the components needed to provide distributed audio using SpeakerCraft^®speakers, distributed video, IP surveillance camera protection, complete 2GIG^® GC3 home security system, Panamax^® power conditioning and protection, and thermostats.

“It was very gratifying to be involved with the Gary Sinise Foundation and Nortek Control on these projects,” said Don Bendell, president of the integration firm Louisa’s Electronics, who installed the home automation system for Slaydon and his family. “Because TSgt Slaydon is blind, voice control is a very necessary part of this system. We were able to install Amazon Alexa™ enabled ELAN touchscreens throughout the house. The new Voice Assist Technology helped us meet the family’s particular needs.”

“The Gary Sinise Foundation is dedicated to providing our wounded heroes with the resources necessary to restore their independence, mobility and quality of life,” said Richard Pugnier, vice president of marketing at Nortek Control. “We are honored to do our part. This is only one small way we can tell our wounded heroes, ‘thank you for the sacrifices you unselfishly made to keep our country safe.’”

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About the Gary Sinise Foundation
The Gary Sinise Foundation was established under the philanthropic direction of actor Gary Sinise, who has been an advocate of our nation’s defenders for nearly forty years. The Gary Sinise Foundation’s mission is to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. The Foundation’s programs—designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities—serve America’s heroes and their loved ones 365 days a year. To learn more, please visit www.garysinisefoundation.org.

About Nortek Control
Nortek Security & Control LLC is a global leader in smart connected devices and systems for residential, security, access control and digital health markets. Nortek Control and its partners have deployed more than 5 million connected systems and over 25 million security and home control sensors and peripherals. Through its family of brands, Nortek Control designs solutions for national telecoms, big-box retailers, OEM partners, service providers, security dealers, technology integrators and consumers. Headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., Nortek Control has over 50 years of innovation and is dedicated to addressing the lifestyle and business needs of millions of customers every day. For further information, visit www.nortekcontrol.com.

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Press Contacts

Cat Toomey
President and CEO
CATalyzing Communications
317.514.5546
cat.toomey@nortekcontrol.com

Marielle Gilbert
PR and Communications Manager
Gary Sinise Foundation
203.816.7734
mgilbert@garysinisefoundation.org