Doug Baker is the vice president of industry relations at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), a leading trade group for the grocery sector. He assists FMI's member communities in growing and thriving in various domains, such as private brands, technology, supply chain, and asset protection. He leads the Asset Protection Council, which strives to reduce merchandise loss and establish safe and healthy stores and workplaces, as well as the Technology Leadership Council, Supply Chain Council, Private Brands Council, and cross-industry efforts focused on transparency and data accuracy. Doug has more than 35 years of experience in food retail, working with Fry's Food Stores, Kraft/Nabisco, and Federated Foods in roles related to retail operations, consumer packaged goods, and private brand creation and marketing.

Greg served as a firefighter and medic before working as a county emergency manager and fire coordinator. He was appointed to the NYS Office of Emergency Management in 2007 as Deputy Director of Preparedness, later serving as Executive Deputy and Deputy of Operations and culminating in his appointment as Director soon after Superstorm Sandy struck the state. Greg has subsequently served in executive positions with private sector consulting firms, leading initiatives across the nation, as well as working with early-stage start-ups to bring emerging risk management technology to city and prefecture governments across the US and Japan.

Damon Cavasin is the Director of Asset Protection at SpartanNash, a food solutions company with over 17,000 associates, 144 corporately owned supermarkets and 19 distribution facilities that service over 2,100 independent grocers and U.S. military commissaries and exchanges.  Damon is responsible for all aspects of asset protection including corporate security, supply chain security and retail loss prevention.  Damon has over 25yrs of experience in the asset protection field and was previously with Target Corp. where he held a variety of field and corporate leadership positions.  Damon has his master’s degree in criminal justice with a specialization in Security Administration from Michigan State University and is an active member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP).  When he isn’t busy leading an amazing team of asset protection professionals to keep SpartanNash facilities safe and secure, he enjoys collecting fine and rare whiskeys, tending to his Big Green Egg smoker/grill and spending time with his family at their cottage in northern Michigan.

Tom Cosgrove is the director of industry relations at FMI – The Food Industry Association where he facilitates professional, non-competitive collaboration among member communities across the topic areas of asset protection, technology, risk & safety, private brands, and supply chain.

Prior to joining the industry relations department, Tom worked for the FMI Foundation and FMI’s Health and Well-being department.  Before joining FMI, Tom spent 7 years at Gonzaga College High School in varying roles including Director of Annual Giving and served as a rowing coach, which he continues to do today.

Jim began his career with the Los Angeles Fire Department, retiring as Chief before being subsequently appointed to lead the LA Emergency Management Department. During his time with LA EMD, Jim served on the Executive Board of the Big City Emergency Management (BCEM) organization. Jim later founded and served as CEO of the LA Homeland Security Advisory Council, which served as the nexus among southern California public safety organizations, ensuring coordination of best preparedness and response practices. Prior to joining the civilian public sector, Mr. Featherstone served in the United States Navy.

Craig served as President Barack Obama’s FEMA Administrator from May 2009 to January 2017. Previously, he served as Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s Emergency Management Director from 2001-2009. Fugate led FEMA through multiple record-breaking disaster years and oversaw the Federal Government’s response to the Joplin and Moore Tornadoes, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Matthew, and the 2016 Louisiana flooding. FEMA’s effectiveness in dealing with more than 500 Presidentially declared major disasters and emergencies under his leadership restored the faith of the American people in the Federal Government’s ability to respond to disasters. FEMA’s use of technology to support operations and enable decision-making flourished under Craig’s leadership.

Chris Girone serves as the National Manager of Fraud & Loss Prevention at Aldi US, a leading grocery retailer that opened its first store in 1976. Aldi US now operates over 2,300 locations and 26 warehouses across 38 states. In his current role, Chris oversees Investigations, eCommerce fraud, and loss prevention analytics.

With an MBA from Judson University, Chris is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI), Loss Prevention Certified (LPC), and holds a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). Chris is also on the board for the Midwest Chapter of the International Association of Interviewers (IAI). He brings over 25 years of experience in loss prevention, beginning his career as a single store LP manager at JCPenney. Chris has held positions such as Regional Investigator at TJX, District Loss Prevention Manager at Dick's Sporting Goods, and most recently, Senior Manager of Loss Prevention Operations at Office Depot, where he served for 16 years before joining Aldi in 2022.

Mike Gulli began his Loss Prevention/Asset Protection career in 1982. He currently holds the position of Manager of Corporate Security and AP Technology for Northeast Shared Services.

Mike is responsible for all aspects of AP Technology Strategic planning & Implementation and Corporate Security for the administrative offices and distribution centers, security technology and hardware.  Mike held many Loss Prevention, Asset Protection & Financial Services leadership positions during his 42 years with the Golub Corporation, including Loss Prevention Manager of Administration, Manager of Loss Prevention Technology and Projects, Corporate Research Specialist (Financial Services), Loss Prevention Zone Specialist, Sr. Loss Prevention Manager, Loss Prevention Manager and Loss Prevention Officer.

Mike and his team received the 2009 Innovation Award from Security Executive Management magazine for their work developing and implementing the chains first enterprise CCTV platform.  Mike has also received numerous corporate awards for his work on high profile projects. He is a member of the Loss Prevention Research Council (University of Florida) IMPACT Committee and INNOVIATE Advisory Panel.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from the Empire State College (SUNY) and a Master of Science Degree in Organization, Management, & Leadership from Capella University. He completed the Golub Corporation’s Executive Leadership Program in 1995.  Mike is also a Certified Continuity Manager, holds a Private Pilot’s License and a NYS Licensed Youth Soccer Coach.

Chris Harris has more than 20 years’ experience in Asset Protection. He currently serves as the Director of Asset Protection for The Kroger Co. where he is responsible for asset protection within retail stores and supply chain.  Chris is also the business owner for the operations of direct store delivery, scan-based trading and the organization’s food rescue program. He was previously the Director of Asset Protection and Regulatory Compliance for Weis Markets, Inc., where he was responsible for minimizing inventory loss, developing the organization’s enterprise risk program and leading the compliance department. Prior to Weis Markets, Chris held roles of increasing responsibility in Asset Protection and Safety with Sears/Kmart and Kohl’s Department Stores.

Carmela Hinderaker is the Senior Director of Business Continuity and Customer Support at C&S Wholesale Grocers. She manages 7 customer service call centers that communicate with all 10,000+ C&S customers. She also monitors threats to the largest wholesale grocer’s nationwide network and facilitates the multi-departmental planning and response to business disruptions. She develops contingency plans with customers and suppliers and coordinates with government partners to keep the food supply chain intact. Over her career at C&S, she has provided assistance to 350+ potential threats and activations including labor strike planning, weather events, wildfires, infectious diseases, and volcanic eruptions.

Born and raised in Mississippi, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina compelled her to the field of emergency management. Additionally, she is a trained Planning Section Chief and has lead planning for multiple incidents including Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Boston Marathon Bombings, Hurricane Sandy, and the H1N1 epidemic. Carmela holds an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master in Public Health from Columbia University. She also is a Certified Business Continuity Professional and has taught a college level course on public health and emergency management preparedness at California State University - East Bay. With her husband, Carmela lives in Houston, TX where she is managing her largest emergency response ever – supporting her 8 year old and 5 year old sons.

Brad L. Kerby, a seasoned attorney based in Las Vegas, Nevada, serves as Lead Attorney at ALTO USA, specializing in crime reduction, risk mitigation, and bespoke legal strategies. With a focus on fostering safer environments and effecting positive change, he collaborates closely with stakeholders ranging from retailers and law enforcement to prosecutors, nonprofits, and government officials.

Brad brings extensive legal experience, previously holding key roles at prestigious organizations including Harrah’s Entertainment and Marnell Corrao Associates. He is a holder of a Juris Doctor magna cum laude from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northern Arizona University, Brad is licensed to practice law in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Beyond law, his commitment to public service is evident through roles in law enforcement and corrections. As a multifaceted professional, Brad Kerby continues to leave a lasting impact on both the legal profession and the communities he serves.

After Mike retired from sworn policing, he spent nearly two decades supporting law enforcement, private security, and emergency communications around the world. During that time, he worked for technology leaders Motorola, Esri, and Dataminr and helped law enforcement organizations leverage their technology investments for emergency response, investigations, and risk reduction.  He remains an internationally recognized expert in applying technology to support complex investigations and cold cases. He is an author of two books, hosts a popular podcast, and is an on-air expert for a variety of news outlets.

Bob is the Co-Founder and CEO of PhillySafe, a non-profit organization that is bringing innovative community-based investments and solutions to combat gun violence in the city of Philadelphia.  He is also a successful business executive that has led both early stage and Global 500 companies over the last 25 years in establishing market leadership positions.  Bob is leveraging his business skills, capabilities, and network to disrupt the way cities are addressing the gun violence epidemic in the United States.    

Bob co-founded PhillySafe in 2022 when the city of Philadelphia’s gun violence was peaking.  He led PhillySafe to form a partnership with other community leaders and in 2023 secured a multi-million dollar State grant to deliver its services in one of the deadliest zip codes in Philadelphia. 

Mr. Michael Lamb (retired), LPC has over 40 years of experience in the asset protection / loss prevention industry.  He most recently served as the Vice President of Asset Protection & Safety for the Kroger family of companies based in Cincinnati, OH. Mr. Lamb oversaw the strategic and tactical direction related to the shrinkage, waste control and safety across the Kroger enterprise, consisting of approximately 2800 store locations. Prior to his position at Kroger, Michael served as the Vice President of Asset Protection & Safety for Walmart US from January 2013 until April of 2017. Additionally, Mr. Lamb served as Vice President of Asset Protection, Regulatory Compliance and Safety for The Home Depot from September of 2007 through March of 2012. 

Bill Lecznar, a Virginia Beach native, boasts a rich background in the Grocery Business, spanning an impressive 30 years before he ventured into entrepreneurial waters with the founding of GlobalWorx. His early fascination with technology set the stage for his later achievements. Drawing on his extensive Grocery Industry experience, Bill established Synergy Systems, Inc., and developed the groundbreaking GlobalWorx communication Platform. This web-based application revolutionizes the retail food sector by facilitating seamless communication between stores and supplier partners, enhancing sales and operational efficiencies in real time. Diving deeper into his field, Bill has been committed to providing top-tier solutions that benefit both retailers and their DSD supplier partners.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Bill is a renowned chicken wing connoisseur and an avid boater. He delights in organizing activities with his boating neighbors, finding solace and inspiration on the water. His multifaceted interests and unwavering dedication underscore his commitment to both personal fulfillment and professional excellence, making him a valued leader within the Grocery Business and beyond. 

Dr. Cory Lowe is a research scientist at the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC). He received his PhD in criminology from the University of Florida and began conducting loss prevention research at the LPRC in 2020. His background is in crime, delinquency, and substance use prevention, and has published research in peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, and in the popular press. At the LPRC, Dr. Lowe conducts research on organized retail crime, product protection, and innovative approaches for securing vulnerable people and places.

Chris is the founder and CEO of Bent Ear Solutions, a veteran-owned small business that specializes in assisting complex organizations with maximizing their technology investments.  Prior to this, Chris was the Director of Public Safety for Esri, the world’s largest GIS company. Previously, Chris served as Virginia’s Interoperable Communications Officer, responsible for coordinating the numerous local, state, and federal communications systems. He began his career as a Naval Officer for the National Ballistic Missile Defense Program.

Dr. Amy Nitza is the Co-Founder of Convergence Group, LLC, and the Executive Director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz, where she also directs the Advanced Certificate in Trauma and Disaster Mental Health and serves as Affiliate Faculty in the Department of Counselor Education.  She is a psychologist who specializes in providing mental health training in academic and non-academic settings both nationally and internationally, with an emphasis on disaster mental health and trauma recovery. As a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Botswana, she trained mental health and school counselors and studied the use of group counseling interventions in HIV/AIDS prevention among adolescents.  She has collaborated with the University of Notre Dame in Haiti to develop trauma-related interventions for children in domestic servitude, and to provide training for teachers in dealing with traumatized children in the classroom.  She also recently collaborated with UNICEF USA to develop and implement a program of mental health support for children and teachers impacted by Hurricane Maria and the recent earthquakes and pandemic in Puerto Rico.  She directs numerous other grant-funded projects including from the New York State Office of Victim Services and New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.  Amy has provided training at the national level to federal and non-profit agencies including the Executive Office of the President, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Service Employees International Union.  She has provided direct service to survivors of numerous disasters including Hurricanes Sally, Dorian, Harvey, and Maria, the Creek Fire in California, the grocery store shooting in Colorado, and the earthquakes in Haiti and Puerto Rico. She is the author and editor of numerous publications, including the recent book Disaster Mental Health Case Studies: Lessons Learned from Counseling in Chaos.   Amy is a Past President and Fellow of the Association for Specialists in Group Work, and currently serves as Immediate Past President of the Society for Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy (Division 49) of the American Psychological Association, which also awarded her the 2019 Excellence in Teaching of Group Dynamics award. She holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Indiana University, and previously served as Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Professional Studies at Indiana University Purdue University-Fort Wayne (now Purdue Fort Wayne).

Mr. Parks is the acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans, overseeing investigations in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. He co-founded the regional Organized Retail Crime Alliance in 2023 and serves as an Executive Board Member.

Previously, he was the DHS and HSI Attaché at the Embassy in Canberra, Australia, where he managed DHS’s bilateral engagement and HSI’s investigations in 19 countries in the Indo-Pacific.

Mr. Parks has served in various critical leadership roles, including founding the first federal task force to disrupt dark net narcotics smuggling in Baltimore, Maryland. The task force took down the world’s largest dark net marketplace in its first year.

George Piro is a retired FBI Senior Executive with a career spanning over 30 years in federal and local law enforcement, holding high-level roles such as Assistant Director, Special Agent in Charge, and Team Leader of the Saddam Hussein Interrogation Team.

A proven, highly accomplished leader with a history of success in leading major crisis efforts, complex criminal and national security investigations, and large-scale events.

A decisive executive with extensive experience encompassing the effective administration of strategic planning, human capital management, policy formulation, and the coordination of international operations.

Jeremy Pollack, Ph.D. is a social-organizational psychologist and a leader in the field of workplace conflict resolution and peacebuilding. He is the Founder of Pollack Peacebuilding Systems, a nationwide conflict resolution consulting firm. He is also co-founder and chairman of the Peaceful Leadership Institute, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting the model and theory of Peaceful Leadership. Jeremy is a coach, trainer, mediator, and author. He coaches and trains executives and employees at various levels and industries, from Fortune 100 companies to major non-profits. Jeremy has been a regular contributor on the topics of leadership and organizational conflict management to publications such as Forbes.com, Fast Company, Industry Week, and many more. He is also the author of The Conflict Resolution Playbook: Practical Communication Skills for Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Conflict and the co-author of Peaceful Leadership: Tools and Techniques for Fostering Psychological Safety, Trust, and Inclusion in Your Organization. You can learn more at PollackPeacebuilding.com. 

Dara Riordan is president of FaceFirst, a global leader in highly effective face matching systems that help retailers prevent in-store violence and loss. FaceFirst’s AI turns passive CCTV cameras into proactive, actionable tools that provide safer environments for your valued customers and employees. Riordan joined FaceFirst in 2019 after 14 years at Johnson Controls International in senior sales and strategic leadership roles. As president, she oversees FaceFirst’s business strategy, operations, planning, sales, product, global services, and marketing. In March 2023, the SIA Women in Security Forum recognized Riordan among the industry’s top 100 leaders.

Tony Sheppard is VP or Retail Risk Solutions for ThinkLP.  He has spent the last 30 years working in the retail loss prevention industry.  Starting his career as a store detective with Montgomery Ward and moving on to various LP roles at CVS Health, Ulta Beauty, Bloomingdales, Family Dollar, Pep Boys, and the Paradies Shops.  Tony spent 14 years focused on Organized Retail Crime.  He has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences across the country and conducts guest lectures at Texas A&M.  He is certified as an expert witness on Organized Retail Crime and product diversion and has testified on several state and federal cases.  Tony has also helped draft multiple state ORC bills that have become law.  He has a master’s degree in Security Management, bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, and an associate degree in Business Management.  He is a Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI) and is Loss Prevention Certified (LPC). He is also an executive board member for the Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR) and on the board of advisors for the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC).  Tony is also a combat veteran who served in the US Army’s 82^nd Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm.

With over 30+ years of expertise in the Loss Prevention and security industry, John has extensive experience with large-scale investigations focused on organized retail theft, fraud, and serial security incidents. As a Field Investigator for Target’s Mid-West Investigations Team, his role encompasses investigating sophisticated organized retail crimes, and implementing theft and shortage reduction strategies in collaboration with the district and group Target Assets Protection teams.

John serves as the President of the Michigan Organized Retail Crimes Association (MIORCA), leading initiatives to combat retail crimes at the organizational level. He is also an Adjunct Instructor at Northern Michigan University, where he instructs Loss Prevention Management.

John received his bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University in Loss Prevention Management.  

Terry, a veteran of the LP/AP industry, continues to help shape the industry through retail crime intelligence and building partnerships with law enforcement to combat crime, violence and the challenges of organized retail crime.  Before joining Auror, Terry led two of the industry's premier brands for education and media by overseeing the operations of The Loss Prevention Foundation and LP Magazine. Prior to taking on the role of President of the LPF, Terry spent 29 years in the retail loss prevention industry, holding various senior leadership roles with Lowe's and with American Stores/Albertsons.