ASSOCIATIONS IN ACTION By Keith Aubele, CPP, LPP
ASIS International’s Retail Loss Prevention Council
B
ased in Alexandria, Virginia, ASIS International is the preeminent global organization for security professionals. It is a mission that takes thousands of volunteers to execute while developing critical security processes, providing professional education and career development, and serving as both a voice and a resource to those in the field of professional security. In existence since 1955, ASIS International is a proud organization with a clear and concise mission statement: “Be the recognized leader, advancing security worldwide and promoting excellence and leadership in the security management profession.” I am a member of ASIS International and have been for several years. I also hold the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designate from the organization. As a long-tenured retail loss prevention executive with both Walmart and The Home Depot, my security education and network expanded exponentially once I was introduced to ASIS and its expansive membership. I also rely on my ASIS International peers to assist me whenever I have specific challenges, needs, or security questions, or to provide solutions and/or resources to solve the problem.
Aubele is chair of the ASIS International Retail Loss Prevention Council. For the past twelve years, he has served as president and CEO of the Retail Loss Prevention Group (RLPG) based in Bentonville, Arkansas, providing senior advisory to leading retailers and select solution providers along the retail vertical. Aubele’s retail career began with Walmart Stores culminating as director of LP. While at Walmart he was field promoted by founder Sam Walton and was one of three executives to develop the very successful Walmart Neighborhood Market concept. He then became the global VP of LP for The Home Depot. While there his team took shrink to the lowest in company history and added over 600 million dollars to the bottom line through critical process change. He holds a master’s degree in business from Troy University, a BS in criminology from Missouri Southern State University, and is a six-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
The significance of the council is our focus on making an impact in the reduction of loss and risk to retailers. We also provide education and tools that are on display at the ASIS annual seminar and exhibits conference, held in the fall of each year. This year ASIS International will celebrate its 60th Annual Seminar and Exhibits between Sept 29th and October 2nd in Atlanta, Georgia. The Retail LP Council will be presenting a session entitled “Critical Issues in
ASIS Council Platform
An interesting component of ASIS is their investment into the council platform. Because there are so many varied security dynamics, ASIS has developed twenty-nine distinct and unique councils to address each and every security practice in place today. Ranging from defence and intelligence to fire and life safety, pharmaceutical security, supply chain and transportation, utilities security, military and law enforcement to school services security, the councils are made up of top-performing professionals in each of these security fields and are dedicated to furthering the practice and the profession. I have served as the chairman of the Retail Loss Prevention Council for the past two years, surrounded by some of the most talented retail loss prevention and asset protection leaders in the world. Our council membership is constructed of twenty-five members, fifteen of which represent retail companies. One member is a well-recognized research scientist in the field of retail loss prevention. Another represents law enforcement in the area of organized retail crime (ORC). And the remaining members represent various support functions for retail security and asset protection. It is literally a “Who’s Who” of retail leadership.
64
LPM 0914-B.indd 64
ASIS Retail Loss Prevention Council members staffing the council booth at the Food Marketing Institute Asset Protection Conference earlier this year included (left to right) Dr. Read Hayes, Research Scientist, LPRC; Council Chairman Keith Aubele, CPP, LPP; David Levenberg, President, Center Security Services; Kathleen Smith, Vice President of LP, Safeway; Mark Gaudette, CPP, Director of LP, Big Y Grocery; and Steven May, President and CEO, LP Innovations.
Retail Loss Prevention and Asset Protection.” Essentially it is a panel discussion focused on three critical issues facing retail loss prevention and asset protection today. It is these three issues I would like to discuss further, providing additional insight into what our council and its members focus on and have become proficient at in practice.
Issue 1: Organized Retail Crime
This significant issue continues to cost retailers millions and millions of lost revenue and bottom-line profits. The National Retail Federation estimates that ORC results in more than $30 billion in
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2014
continued on page 66 |
LPPORTAL.COM
9/8/14 2:11 PM
