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WASHINGTON, May 21, 2024 – The National Retail Federation (NRF) has announced the winners of the 2024 NRF PROTECT Awards, which are the top honors in asset protection and cybersecurity in the retail industry. Five experienced loss prevention professionals will be celebrated on June 5 at the NRF PROTECT conference in Long Beach, California.
The Ring of Excellence Award honors professionals who have made a significant impact in loss prevention throughout their careers. The 2024 winners are:
Gary Johnson, with over 40 years in loss prevention, retired as Director of Asset Protection & Safety for Guitar Center Inc. He managed 600 stores nationwide and held leadership roles at The Vitamin Shoppe, A&P Supermarkets, Barnes & Noble, and Osco Drug Stores. He also served two terms as Chair of the NRF Loss Prevention Advisory Council and helped found the Loss Prevention Research Council.
Mike Lamb, LPC, has over 40 years of experience in asset protection, loss prevention, and safety. He retired as Vice President of Asset Protection & Safety at the Kroger Company in February 2024 and previously worked in leadership roles at Walmart U.S. and The Home Depot. Lamb continues to be active in the industry, serving on the LP Foundation Executive Committee, as a senior advisor for Innovate LPRC, and on the board of Good2Go.
Walter Palmer, a loss prevention expert who has worked as a practitioner, consultant, and industry partner. He provides strategic guidance to top retail brands, co-founded LP Magazine, and has been involved with NRF’s loss prevention conference for over 30 years.
John Velke, who started his career in 1977 at Lord & Taylor, held roles at Fred Meyer, Parisian, Proffitt’s, and McRae’s stores, and retired in 2022 from Total Wine & More. He has advocated for the AP/LP industry for over 40 years, serving on the Illinois Attorney General’s task force on computer crime and as a board member of Oregon’s Police Academy.
“The Ring of Excellence Award celebrates leaders in asset protection and loss prevention,” said David Johnston, NRF Vice President of Asset Protection and Retail Operations. “These winners have dedicated their careers to protecting colleagues, customers, and stores across the country.”
The NRF Retail Cybersecurity Leadership Award recognizes contributions to advancing cybersecurity in retail. The 2024 winner is:
- Rich Agostino, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Target. Agostino champions career development programs at Target and in the security community. He chairs the Board of Directors for the Retail & Hospitality ISAC (RH-ISAC) and is a member of the PCI Security Standards Council Board of Advisors and Google’s CISO Advisory Board.
“Rich Agostino has been a leader in retail cybersecurity, working to improve information sharing and collaboration on cybersecurity and fraud threats,” said Christian Beckner, NRF Vice President of Retail Technology and Cybersecurity and Executive Director of the Center for Digital Risk & Innovation. “He has raised awareness about cybersecurity risks and inspired the next generation of cyber professionals. We are proud to honor his contributions.”
NRF will present these awards to retail security leaders from across the country at NRF PROTECT, June 4-6, at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California.
