Loss Prevention and Safety professionals from Goodwill organizations across the United States gathered in sunny Orlando, Florida for the 8th annual Goodwill Industries Loss Prevention & Safety (GILPS) Conference November 6 – 9, 2011.
GILPS provides training, best practices, and loss trends and analysis to all Goodwill agencies. This grassroots effort also works with local, state and federal agencies to provide Goodwill organizations with the latest loss prevention and safety resources available. This three-day event was held at the Caribe Royale Resort and kicked-off Sunday evening with a social gathering. Loss Prevention and Safety experts from Goodwill organizations reconnected, shared ideas and discussed strategies with vendors who participated in the conference. The packed agenda included speakers and break-out sessions from Goodwill members focusing on every aspect of loss prevention and safety specifically in the non-profit arena. Other speakers included Paul Jones from eBay, Jeanette Minor Tenorio of Disney Resort Risk Management and Joan Spencer of OSHA. More than 150 participants visited solution provider booths to discuss how their products could benefit their organizations during agenda breaks. Vendors and sponsors this year included Contact, Inc., ADT, Super Circuits, and Palmer/Reifler.
The highlight of the conference for attendees was the distribution of certification scholarships by The Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF). LPF partnered with eBay and ADT to award six LPQualified (LPQ) and LPCertified (LPC) scholarships to participants. Certification was developed by more than 300 Loss Prevention professionals representing more than 130 retailers and solution providers. Certification is rapidly becoming the industry's educational benchmark for well-rounded loss prevention professionals.
The Loss Prevention Foundation is a not-for-profit 501 c (6) organization founded in 2006 by industry leading professionals to serve the loss prevention industry. Its mission is to advance the profession by providing relevant, convenient and challenging educational resources. The LPF supports this mission through a variety of ever-expanding initiatives, including two certification programs, on-line educational resources, a career-oriented membership program, student scholarships and a college and university program. For more information visit the LPF's Web site: www.losspreventionfoundation.org.
LPC winners:
- Tim Schaben, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida
- Heath Schlagetter, Goodwill Easter Seals of Miami Valley
- Marco Guizar, Goodwill Industries of San Diego
LPQ winners:
- Kim Bassett, Evansville Goodwill Industries
- Wilson Roman, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida
This year marked the beginning of the peer-selected Loss Prevention and Safety Awards. The Eagle Award for Excellence in Loss Prevention Leadership was given to Roger Rangel, Goodwill Industries International, and William Tursi, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida. The Star Award for Leadership in Safety was awarded to Marshall Sherman, Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County, and John Martin, Easter Seals Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain.
Other prizes given away from vendors/sponsors included an iPad2, a digital camera, and a $1,000 video surveillance system.
Paul Roussel was awarded the National Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership during the formation of GILPS and its growth since it was first implemented back in 2003, which started with only 18 attendees. Roussel is the director of Loss Prevention & Safety for Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana, as well as one of three founding members of GILPS. Roussel spends a large amount of time traveling throughout the country presenting information regarding all aspects of Safety & LP as a Goodwill Industries International Control Consultant. He is also an active member of his local ASIS chapter, and a Certified Protection Professional, Board Certified in Security Management through ASIS International. Congratulations Paul Roussel on this momentous achievement.
The GILPS event is always a valuable learning experience for attendees. For more information on how to attend this event, sponsor as a vendor or other details contact Roger Rangel ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Paul Roussel ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
Justin Kemp joined Contact Inc. in September of 2010. Kemp's role is to coordinate all operations regarding creative components for each client including creative theme, copywriting, design, printing and fulfillment. Kemp also has responsibility for electronic portal operations for each client. Prior to joining Contact, Kemp has several years of management experience in a retail environment. Kemp is currently a volunteer for the Loss Prevention Foundation to promote membership and certification within the industry. Kemp attended East Carolina University where he earned a B.S.B.A. in Marketing, and is also enrolled in the LPQ certification course.
