LPM Excellence

LPM Magpie Awards Applauding Excellence

The LPM “Magpie” Awards offer a means to celebrate industry accomplishments on an ongoing basis, recognizing the loss prevention professionals, teams, solution providers, law enforcement partners, and others that demonstrate a stellar contribution to the profession. The ability to influence change is a product of drive, creativity, and determination, but it also requires a unique ability to create a shared vision that others will understand, respect, support, and pursue. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our latest honorees.

Excellence in Leadership

Roger Greene

Assistant Vice President-Director, Marshalls/The TJX Companies

“Once you become a leader, it is no longer about you,” said Greene. “Putting your employees first is most important. Encouraging, motivating, imparting knowledge, and sharing with others becomes paramount. Doing things ‘for’ people and not ‘to’ them, speaking ‘with’ people and not ‘at’ them, and always practicing relationships before tasks.”

Greene began his loss prevention career with Broadway Department Stores in 1978. As he continued to develop as a leader, he moved to TJX Companies in 1991, where he has spent the past thirty years leading and mentoring loss prevention professionals. “Forty-two years ago, I started a journey and had no idea where it would lead,” he said. “I’ve learned more and done more than I ever thought possible, and there are so many to thank for helping me along the way.” He announced his retirement from TJX in February.

He offers this advice to others as they climb the ladder of success:

Recognize that it’s your peers and your subordinates that get you promoted, not your bosses.

Support and believe in diversity, and always demonstrate mutual respect.

Remain a student of the business throughout your career.

Set clear expectations for your team. Support them when they are struggling and challenge those doing exceptionally well.

Always demonstrate willingness, show your capability, and above all else, maintain a positive attitude.

Greene believes his influence on others is his greatest accomplishment. “Leadership truly is about others’ successes and not your own. A true leader is genuine, engaging, and approachable. They listen, understand, care about their people, and are authentic with them. They demonstrate humility, respect, and resilience. They have integrity and lead with vision and motivation. There is nothing more rewarding than looking at the individuals you’ve influenced and knowing that you helped them get where they are today.”

Excellence in Partnerships

Caroline Kochman

Executive Director, National Association for Shoplifting Prevention

“When it comes to building partnerships, I believe integrity, trust, and providing value to others are most important,” said Kochman. “Make an effort to understand others’ needs and perspectives, and then share your expertise to help build on that perspective.”

Since joining the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP) in 1993, Kochman has worked with stakeholders across the country to identify and implement programs to reduce shoplifting, translating research into programs, policies, and practices to help address the problem. Her father, Peter Berlin, was founder of NASP. She was named executive director in 2006.

“Truthfully, it was in my blood,” she said. “While I might not have felt this way as a teenager proofreading my dad’s newsletters, I am grateful for his legacy. My goal has been to look beyond traditional avenues in the court system, offering an added perspective and helping build innovative and complementary solutions around an issue that is fundamentally at the root of all retail crime and theft.”

Kochman believes that working together, speaking with a collective voice, and merging industry resources will reduce overall retail theft and result in sustainable corporate and social impact in communities nationwide. This led to the recent launch of the National Shoplifting Prevention Coalition.

“When building partnerships, always think about the big picture and then frame your part within that picture,” she said. “Surround yourself with people who are open-minded, visionaries, and forward thinkers—those who find it exciting to pioneer new ideas that look beyond the status quo. Finally, don’t compromise your values or beliefs. The way forward comes more easily when connected to an unshakable set of values. Stay true to your mission, even when the going gets tough. This gives you purpose, clarity, the courage of your convictions, and the will to persevere.”