The LP Magazine Founders’ Awards offer a means to celebrate industry accomplishments on an ongoing basis, recognizing the loss prevention professionals, teams, solution providers, law enforcement partners, and others who demonstrate a stellar contribution to the profession.
The ability to influence change is a product of drive, creativity, and determination, but it also requires a unique ability to create a shared vision that others will understand, respect, support, and pursue. Each of the following recipients reflects that standard of excellence, representing the quality and spirit of leadership that makes a difference in our lives, people, and programs. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our latest honorees.
“My greatest accomplishments will always be the moments when someone reaches out and tells me I made a difference in their life,” says Joe Laufenberg, senior director of asset protection at Festival Foods. “Helping others find purpose and meaning in their work and aligning their talents to areas where they can make a real impact on the business is what I’m most proud of. Those moments stay with me more than any metric or milestone.”
Joe began his career in asset protection while attending college and quickly found it was something he truly enjoyed. He built Festival Foods’ loss LP program from the ground up, developing a team and a department that has steadily expanded its scope. “I’ve stayed in the field because I’ve always loved the variety of the work and the opportunity to see the positive impact we’re making in the business. Every day brings a new challenge, and that’s what continues to drive me.”
Reflecting on the qualities of leadership, Laufenberg feels he has learned a tremendous amount from his own experiences. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with many great leaders throughout my career. What stands out most is how they meet their team where they’re at. They take the time to understand their people beyond a transactional level. They learn their values, recognize what makes them unique, and help them align their strengths with the work. They lead with authenticity and create an environment where others can be their true selves.”
“Leadership isn’t about position or hierarchy—it’s about being a leader among leaders. They ask questions, listen first, stay humble and hungry, and empower their team to take ownership. They don’t just accept change—they lead through it. That’s the kind of leader I work to be, because at the end of the day, it’s about making a difference in the lives of others.”