Asset Protection Leaders Council

Mission of the Asset Protection Leaders Council (APLC)

To provide a forum for retail AP executives to work collaboratively to guide the strategic direction of the retail AP industry and to improve efficiencies within their respective companies.

Focus Areas

• Industry-wide initiatives
• Research
• Benchmarking
• Networking
• Support RILA in their AP offerings

Objectives

• Identify emerging industry-wide trends and current issues
• Identify and develop leading industry practices
• Identify methods for ensuring professional development of AP professionals at all levels
• Help make retail AP a career of choice
• Promote retail AP career path in university settings
• Develop tools for recruiting top college talent
• Drive solution providers to develop innovative/cutting-edge technology
• Streamline communications to RILA membership
• Provide strategic input for RILA
• Identify other industry-wide initiatives

RILA Asset Protection Councils, Committees & Working Groups 

Asset Protection Leaders Council
To provide a forum for senior-level retail AP executives to work collaboratively to guide the strategic direction of the retail AP industry and to improve efficiencies within their respective companies.
Chair: Katina Terru Ujczo, Loss Prevention Manager, Training & Audits, Abercrombie & Fitch, Co.
Vice Chair: Andy Jones, Manager, Operational Audit, Tractor Supply Company

Loss Prevention Steering Committee
The LPSC is comprised of LP leaders across retail segments and is primarily responsible for planning RILA’s annual Loss Prevention, Auditing & Safety Conference.

Crimes Against Business Committee
To provide a forum for addressing criminal risks impacting the retail industry. The committee identifies emerging criminal trends, shares prevention and response strategies and develops best practices designed to mitigate risks and support members in their efforts. 

Horizons Committee
To provide a forum that will guide the development of technology to help minimize identified business risks.  

Operational Audit Committee
To provide a forum that will facilitate the development of efficient audit procedures across company functions.

Workplace Safety Committee
To provide a forum for retail safety professionals to identify best practices for minimizing incidents and injuries, maintain strong partnerships with enforcement agencies, maximize regulatory compliance and assist in legislative efforts.

Disaster Recovery and Preparedness Committee
To provide a forum for the exchange of information related to incident preparedness and response and business continuity with a focus on protecting customers, employees, facilities and assets and minimizing business interruption.

Loss Prevention Benchmarking Working Group
Members identify survey topics, facilitate their company’s response and review survey results in an effort to measure internal efforts, performance and processes against other industry leaders.

Recent Results Surveys 

Crime Trend & Best Practices Survey (August 2010)
Reported measured or perceived changes in crimes perpetrated against retailers over the past six months and shared leading practices for minimizing business risks.

Regulatory Survey (August 2010)
Reviewed recent regulatory activity inside retail locations, the frequency with which citations are being issued, the subject of citations and the associated penalties, and negotiations with regulatory agencies.

Substance Abuse Testing in the Workplace Survey (July 2010)
Reviewed the policies and practices surrounding drug screening in the workplace.

Online Fraud Survey (July 2010)
Focused on various components of retailers' online business, including: online fraud controls, losses, in-house fraud teams, and customer pick-up and delivery.

Audit Survey (July 2010)
Examined various aspects of the store audit function within retail companies including demographics, reporting structure and responsibilities of in-house audit teams, audit tools and accountability for failed audits.

Safety Hotlines Survey (May 2010)
Examined the use of internal mechanisms for reporting real or perceived safety hazards inside retail locations.

Recent Letters from Chairs

• Asset Protection Leaders Council - Letter from Mike Lamb (The Home Depot) and Monica Mullins (Walmart)
•  Loss Prevention Steering Committee - Letter from Stan Welch (J.C. Penney) and David Lund (Dick's Spoting Goods) 
• Crimes Against Business Committee - Letter from Nate Hartle (Target) and Debbie Maples (Gap)
• Operational Audit Committee - Letter from Katina Terry Ujczo (Abercrombie & Fitch) and Andy Jones (Tractor Supply)
• Disaster Recovery & Preparendess Committee - Letter from Mike Rackey (Target) and JD Densmore (Lowe's)
• Horizons Committee - Letter from Brand Elverston (Walmart) and Tim Gorman (Walgreens)

Upcoming Committee Meetings

• Operational Audit Committee Meeting - October 7-8, 2010 - Publix Headquarters, Lakeland, FL