Judges

Theresa Bentch

Cop to Corporate

Theresa Bentch, CPP is Senior Director and Head of Global Security and Enterprise Risk Management at Iron Mountain, a global leader in information management and secure storage. She directs security, safety, and risk programs across Iron Mountain’s vast network of warehouses, data centers, and logistics operations, focusing on safeguarding people, property, and customer assets while ensuring business continuity and regulatory compliance.

Drawing on over two decades of leadership experience, including 26 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, she is an expert in building resilient operations, managing risk for large-scale facilities, and implementing security standards across complex enterprises.

Kara Brennion

ASIS Women in Security (ASIS WIS)

Kara Brennion is a supply chain security professional who helps global and Fortune 500 organizations map complex supplier networks, identify concealed security vulnerabilities, and enhance end‑to‑end operational resilience. Drawing on extensive expertise in open‑source intelligence and data management, she focuses on uncovering supplier risks that have the potential to disrupt security, business continuity, and compromise brand integrity. Her work also extends to brand protection and the mitigation of illicit trade, helping companies safeguard intellectual property and prevent counterfeit infiltration across global markets. Kara uses advanced supply chain mapping with targeted risk intelligence to allow organizations to make strategic decisions. She conducts comprehensive security audits that assist organizations in meeting evolving regulatory requirements, including compliance with CTPAT and TAPA standards.

An advocate for innovation in global supply chain security, Kara actively explores the application of emerging technologies, particularly AI, to enhance risk visibility and strengthen organizational resilience. She is an engaged member of the professional security community, serving in communities for ASIS as the Women in Security Global Vice Chair and on the ASIS Supply Chain and Transportation Steering Committee. Kara holds a master’s in Security and Intelligence from Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University and a bachelor’s in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona.

Vicki Crnkovich

ASIS Women in Security (ASIS WIS)

Ashley Ditta

International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS)

Ashley N. Ditta, MS, CHPA, CPP, has over 15 years of security, safety and parking experience in the healthcare sector.  Currently she is the Director of Public Safety and Parking at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, a medium-sized community hospital in the greater Boston area.  Previously she served as the Director of Police, Security, Safety and Parking; Safety Officer at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, both in Boston, MA.

Ashley currently serves as Treasurer for the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) Board of Directors. In addition, she has held board and volunteer positions within the Boston Chapter of IAHSS and ASIS and remains active in both professional organizations.

Ashley currently holds designation as a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) from ASIS and Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) from IAHSS. She earned a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Villanova University in Villanova, PA.

Bill Durso

International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC)

Bill Durso, CPP is the Founder and Principal Advisor of The Durso Group, LLC, a unique and independent security advisory firm outside of Philadelphia, PA. 

Bill has over 29 years as security director, security consultant, technology guide and Security Master Plan Subject Matter Expert. Prior to his consulting career, Bill was a Security Director holding all positions and building a few departments from the ground-up. Bill has a unique background that encompasses security operations, security technology, processes and procedures along with commercial real estate and facilities management experience. He has worked closely with Human Resources, IT, Legal, Boards of Director in assuring that his security programs meet or exceed expectations. 

Bill now uses the knowledge gained over those years as a Principal Security Advisor for companies that do not have the in-house expertise to assess, plan, develop and implement security master plans that include security operations, physical security, and security technology to protect people, property, and the client’s assets.

Bill has experience in a variety of verticals to include commercial real estate, super talls, higher education, hyperscale data centers, critical infrastructure, distribution centers and supply chain, retail, upscale city centers, lifestyle centers, higher education, outdoor venues, airports, and healthcare to name a few.

Bill achieved his Board Certification in Security Management (CPP) through ASIS International. He is an active member of and currently serving as the Vice President of the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC).

He is an ASIS International member, holding multiple volunteer positions from Chair of the Greater Philadelphia chapter to Regional leadership roles. He is a member of the Philadelphia InfraGard chapter, and a graduate from Penn State University with a BS in Administration of Justice at University Park, PA and earned his MBA from the American Military University, Charles Town, WV.

Doug Farber 

Infragard National Members Alliance (INMA)

Doug Farber is the Global Head of Security for Millennium Management, a leading a global alternative investment management firm, which manages more than $40 billion in assets with offices in United States, Europe and Asia.

An accomplished professional and executive leader in integrated security, Doug has established properly purposed technology and programs for some of the nation’s most iconic High Value Assets, during his career with the United States Secret Service and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He is recognized for his attentiveness and experience in the administration and organization of diverse, multi-project deliverables with significant knowledge and proficiency in the design, implementation, and management of security technologies encompassing high value asset protection, executive protection, and physical security systems to protect people, property and assets with emerging technology.

Prior to joining Millennium, Doug spent three years with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as the Director of Security for the World Trade Center, where he was responsible for developing the first formal post 9/11 World Trade Center Security Department. He successfully established and led the team that was responsible for transitioning the site from construction to operations, and developed and implemented some of the most advanced integrated threat detection and mitigation systems deployed in modern history.

Mark P. Hahn

Information Security Systems Association (ISSA)

Mark Hahn is Qualys’s Solutions Architect for Cloud and DevOps Security. In this role he works with Qualys’s clients to ensure that cloud applications and infrastructure are secure and reliable. Mark uses DevSecOps and Site Reliability Engineering practices to ensure that software and applications are deployed with high velocity and with the utmost security. He shows clients how to build security into software using agile methods and cloud native distributed systems world built for DevOps and rapid change.

He has 25+ years of experience as a Principal Architect building large-scale systems, including Wall Street trading systems, multinational retail payments systems and supply chain systems. Mark is an exceptional technologist with experience directing products and projects from inception through completion. Mark holds two patents including US 8977783 – High-speed secure content transfer to SD-card from kiosk. Mark speaks at many conferences on software security, agile methods and cloud native technologies.

Bob Hayes

The Security Executive Council

Bob Hayes is the principal architect and founder of the Security Executive Council (SEC). He has more than 25 years of experience developing security programs and providing corporations security services, including seven years as the CSO at Georgia Pacific and nine years as security operations manager at 3M.

Bob was one of the first security executives to successfully implement unified management of corporate security, computer security, and business conduct and compliance programs in a Fortune 100 company. His security experience spans the manufacturing, distribution, research and development, and consumer products industries as well as national critical infrastructure organizations. Additionally, he has more than 10 years of successful law enforcement and training experience in Florida and Michigan.

Bob is a recognized innovator in the security field and was named one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Security Industry by Security Magazine. He is a frequent speaker at key industry events and a leading expert on security issues, and he has been quoted by such major media outlets as The Wall Street Journal and Forbes.

Don Knox, CPP, CITRMS

International Organization of Black Security Executives

Don is an industry professional with more than 25 years of global security, international crisis management and enterprise risk experience. He has worked for several multinational Fortune 100 companies in the manufacturing, healthcare and insurance industries, and has had the opportunity to lead high functioning teams.

He is a trusted strategic advisor, DEI advocate, served on several boards and participated on multiple international security standards and guidelines committees. He held several leadership roles in organizations such as ASIS and RILA. He is a Past President of the International Organization of Black Security Executives and currently a member of their Advisory Board.

Eric Kready

Cop to Corporate

Eric Kready, CPP served 20+ years in the United States Army before transitioning to a civilian Security Professional career in the private sector. Eric has served in security operations and intelligence positions in the private sector and currently operates as a corporate security professional for a global Fortune 200 company responsible for security operations at multiple locations across the United States as well as serving as the Program Manager for a Global Physical Penetration Testing Program.

He also continues to mentor veterans and law enforcement personnel in their transition to a  career in public and private sector security, and currently leads a robust global project assisting active-duty military and law enforcement personnel transition to a career as a civilian Security Professional.  Mr. Kready currently serves as Chair, ASIS International Professional Certification Board.

Gary Kuty

National Association of Security Companies (NASCO)

Gary H. Kuty, is retired as President & CEO of Kuty & Associates, LLC. His career spans over fifty years in law enforcement and private security.  He is a graduate of Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration. Gary’s past is a well-balanced mix of public and private law enforcement and security.  After thirty years in the private security industry in a variety of positions, he fulfilled a career goal of forming his own company. 

In 2001 he started Kuty and Associates, LLC, a professional security management, marketing and sales consulting agency based in Ohio. With his sales and marketing experience the agency concentrated on providing operations, marketing and sales audits, recruiting and sales training.   

Highly regarded by his peers on a national basis, he is Past President and Chairman of both the Ohio Association of Security and Investigation Services (OASIS) and the National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS).  Gary was also appointed to serve on the prestigious Security Services Community of ASIS where he served as a Chair and is a lifetime member of ASIS. 

Gary has had numerous security and sales related articles published in several trade association journals and has lectured on a variety of topics to several professional security and private organizations.  Gary believes in giving more back than he has taken from the industry, so he serves as a pro bono mentor to young colleagues in the security industry. Gary is enjoying his retirement years in Ocala, Florida with his spouse, Liz.

Alvar Orellana McBride, CPP 

ASIS Foundation

Alvar is a board-certified security professional in risk management, crisis management, corporate security management, cyber and electronic security.

He is the CEO of Griffin Risk Solutions LLC, supporting organizations across the region to secure their business continuity.  A key partner of the company’s board and functional leaders, an enabler in developing strategy with a high and positive impact on the business results, personnel, and customer-oriented facilitating a zero-incident culture environment. Experienced in leading multicultural and diverse teams with solid and proven results in multinational organizations and fast-paced environments with a highly positive impact in critical environments.

During his last experience at DiDi Mobility as Global Director of Corporate Security, he conceived the design and execution of global programs in travel security, executive protection, risk management, incident response, and investigations. He led south cone security operations and defined the InApp security strategy, focused on user protection.

As Latin America Security Manager at Google, he upgraded data center security operations for Chile, Brazil, and 3PL in the region, standardizing policies, SOPs, and compliance, and improving the incident investigations program, the management physical security workforce, and crisis management and training security programs.

In DHL led security operations, built country teams developing innovative solutions, coordinated security activities, and ensured compliance with regional security policy, TSA, TAPA, internal DHL policies and procedures, and relevant local legislation. He developed Risk Management, Crisis Response, and Investigations programs covering 100% of reported incidents.

Jessica Minion

International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO)

Jessica R. Minion serves as the Executive Director of the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO), bringing more than 15 years of expertise in the financial security sector, with a specialization in anti-money laundering and regulatory compliance.

A passionate advocate for professional development and global advancement in the security industry, Jessica combines strategic leadership with a deep commitment to elevating standards across the profession. IFPO—an internationally recognized organization dedicated to education, certification, and career development—continues to empower security professionals worldwide.

Bill Navejar

International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety Foundation

Bill Navejar is a support services professional – serving healthcare organizations for over twenty years.  As a member of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS),  he has been involved with and champions all chapters on a global level for the past eighteen years. 

He has twice been awarded the Elwood Near Presidential Award for outstanding contributions, dedication and contributions to the Association and to the field of healthcare security and safety. He is the namesake recipient of the IAHSS “Bill Navejar Lifetime Achievement Award”. Currently, he serves the IAHSS Foundation as the President.     

Jaime P. Owens, CPP 

ASIS Foundation

Has been in the Canal since 1988 (35 years), where he was ascending through the ranks up to the current responsibility. Have studies in Economics in Panama, a Diploma on Political and Strategic Studies from the Latin-America University for Science and Technology. Has been on several managerial and security programs, including programs from the INCAE, Texas A&M, ADEN, to mention some. Owens is Board Certified in Security Management from ASIS International since 2003.

Owens is member of ASIS International since 1999; ASIS is the preeminent organization for security professionals worldwide. Former Member of the Board of Directors, First Latin-American, 2015-2020, was member of the Board of Trustees of ASIS International Foundation. Founder and Chairperson of the Panama Chapter. 2004 was Regional Vice President (Region 22). Served as member of the Professional Certification Board (PCB) 2005-2009; Chair of the Certification, and the Liaison & Alliances Committees. The PCB is the Board responsible of the Professional Certification Programs of ASIS International, CPP (Board Certified in Security Management), PSP (Board Certified, Physical Security Professional), PCI (Board Certified, Professional Certified Investigator), and APP (Associate Protection Professional). Has been invited, as non-member, to PCB´s different committees, as the International Liaison Committee, the Special Projects Committee, and reviewer of the English-Spanish translation of the exams. Member of the Awards Committee 2008-2014, Utilities Security Council´s Latin America Utilities Security Committee’s 2012-2014, ASIS Women in Security Council Advisory Member, and Senior Regional Vice President for Group 7 (Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean) 2011-2014.  On 2012 Awarded as the SRVP of the Year.

Owens is former member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Recognized as Ambassador by the Latin American Security Association (ALAS), and appointed as Reviewer/Judge for the ALAS Security Projects Award since 2017.

Rachael Paskvan

ASIS Women in Security

Katherine Podolas

ASIS International

Katherine Podolas, CPP, SCPM, is a security professional with 20 years of experience in security operations, risk management, and leadership development within the private-security sector, working closely with public-sector partners including law enforcement and government agencies. Her experience spans multiple industry verticals including healthcare, critical infrastructure, aviation, higher education, commercial real estate, retail, and corporate environments.

She currently serves as Global Program Director within GardaWorld’s Learning & Development Centre of Excellence, where she leads the development of global leadership and professional development programs supporting security personnel and operational leaders across multiple regions.

Podolas holds the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation through ASIS International and has been appointed to serve on the ASIS North American Regional Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term, supporting the advancement of the security profession across the region.

In recognition of her industry contributions, Podolas was named a 2026 Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum Power 100 honoree. She remains actively engaged in initiatives supporting the advancement of the security profession and the development of future security leaders.

Ric Pohland

National Association of Security Companies (NASCO)

Ric Pohland has served in Government (military) and private security since 1983, most recently as President, and Chief Operating Officer for American Security Programs (2015 – 2021), and as President of Coastal International Security. In those roles, he developed and led corporate strategic direction and operational initiatives to ensure high-quality security operations and generate business growth.  He served initially with Coastal Int’l Security as Center Operations Director at NASA Kennedy Space Center, FL, where he directed all emergency services—fire, security, and disaster prep/response, and was On-scene commander to all major incidents.  Following the NASA contract, Ric moved to the Washington D.C. Region, serving as Coastal’s Vice President of Operations, and then as President.

Prior to joining the Private Security Services Industry, he served for 25 years in the United States Air Force (USAF) as a career Security Forces Officer. He held multiple senior level positions culminating as Wing Commander of the Air Force’s largest base — Eglin AFB, FL.  He led in five ‘command tours’ (organization’s senior executive) in the USAF to include; Wing Command – 96ABW; Group Command – 820SFG, USAF’s unique Force Protection and Contingency Response Group; and 3 Squadron Command assignments: 89SFS – Air Force One responsibilities, AF’s largest training Academy, and a nuclear security unit.  Ric additionally served in executive staff assignments including; Director of Security for Air Combat Command, and Chief of Assignments for USAF Security Police.

Ric served as Vice Chair of the National Association of Security Companies (NASCO), and as an appointed Board Member on the Virginia, Dept. of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Private Security Services Advisory Board (PSSAB)

Anthony “Tony” Pope, CHPA

International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS)

Matthew Porcelli

International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO)

Matthew Porcelli, MSc, CPP, MSI, F.ISRM, FSyl, is a safety and security manager with over 20 years of experience in the criminal justice and private security sector working with clients from international airlines to corporate global headquarters, and alongside municipal, state, and federal law enforcement partners.

He is certified as a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) through ASIS International and a Master Security Instructor (MSI) with the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO).  Porcelli holds a Master’s degree in Administration of Justice and Security, and is a 2019 graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy Newark, New Jersey Division.

Porcelli currently volunteers in high-level leadership positions with ASIS International, IFPO, The Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM), The Security Institute, and The Life Safety Alliance. 

Porcelli continues to author numerous publications and presents at many global conferences on security topics and leadership.  In 2021 and 2024 Porcelli earned the title of “Fellow” with the Institute of Strategic Risk Management and The Security Institute, respectively.  Porcelli was the award recipient in the category of, “Outstanding Young Security Professional,” at the 2023 US Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs), named one of the “Top 40 Global Thought Leaders in Security & Life Safety for 2024 and 2025,” by The Life Safety Alliance.

Douglas S. Riggin

ASIS International

Mr. Riggin is on the North American Regional Board of Directors and was previously the Senior Regional Vice President of Group 4, Southeast – US, for ASIS International, the worldwide security organization comprised of 34,000 members.  He served as a Regional Vice President, an Assistant Regional Vice President and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of ASIS.

He is employed as a Senior Security Manager with the Altria Group of companies.  Mr. Riggin retired from the FBI as a member of the Senior Executive Service and Chief of the Bureau’s Human Intelligence Operations.  He served as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo (New York) Division’s National Security Branch and other supervisory and investigative positions in the FBI to include Supervisory Special Agent of the Middle Tennessee Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Prior to his appointment as an FBI Special Agent, he was a lieutenant in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Richland County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Department and a police officer at the Newberry (South Carolina) Police Department.

Stacey Porter

International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC)

Stacey Porter is a high-level security professional leader with more than 20 years of Department of Homeland Security experience, where he managed security personnel in the aviation and security industry. Mr Porter held a Top-Secret security clearance for over twenty years while employed with the federal government and has experience working with public and private sector organizations at the local, state, national and international levels.

He carries a broad background in vulnerability assessment and mitigation, security planning, threat and risk assessment, and investigative management operations.