While certainly a majority of those receiving their LPC or LPQ certifications are working loss prevention professionals, certification can also benefit those coming into the industry from other areas. Whether someone is a college student interested in a criminal justice career, a former law enforcement or military professional, or someone in another area of retail, certification offers both broad background on the business of retail as well as specific knowledge of essential areas of loss prevention expertise.
Andrew Luther, LPC
Director, Loss Prevention Operations, Investigations, and Fraud, Tractor Supply Company
LPCertified in July 2021
Andrew Luther, LPC, has a different background than most loss prevention professionals, as he has spent the bulk of his fifteen-year corporate career in accounting and finance. Eight years ago, he joined Tractor Supply’s internal audit team where one of his first assignments was to audit the LP organization. Five years after that initial audit, Luther was given the opportunity to join the LP team as the director of LP operations, investigations, and fraud.
“I am passionate about continuous learning and self‑development,” said Luther when asked why he decided to pursue his LPC certification. “I feel like certification, no matter what field of work you are in, shows real dedication to your profession. I have strongly encouraged my team to pursue the LPF certifications and wanted to lead by example.”
He added, “Going through the LPC course and exam has further confirmed to me the importance of having those that work with and around me obtain their certifications for the overarching realm of information provided as well as their own self-development. The knowledge gained through the coursework can either make you a better loss prevention professional, or it could create opportunities outside of your current career path. Either way, the benefits of certification are great.”
When asked if he had any key takeaways to offer someone considering obtaining their LPC certification, Luther said, “Don’t put it off any longer. Just do it now! I delayed starting the course thinking that I would knock it out when things slowed down. However, those of us in the loss prevention field know that things are not going to slow down, and we are only going to get busier.”
Brandon Kinney, LPQ
International Organization of Black Security Executives (IOBSE) Scholarship Recipient
LPQualified in August 2021
Brandon Kinney, LPQ, was one of 22 recipients of a Loss Prevention Foundation LPQualified course scholarship awarded by the International Organization of Black Security Executives (IOBSE) at their 2021 spring conference. One of the pillars of the association is to provide education and training to college students to assist in keeping them abreast of current trends in security operations and technology. As a recent graduate of Savannah State University, the LPQ scholarship allowed Kinney to graduate with not only his degree in homeland security and emergency management, but also with the industry recognized LPQ certification.
“I didn’t exactly plan to get involved with the loss prevention industry but, like so many other individuals in the field, it fell into my lap, and I took the opportunity,” said Kinney, who landed a position with a major retailer as an LP associate after graduation.
“I now find myself in a position full of growth and support like I have never experienced before. However, I know that it is my job to ensure that I fuel my own development. Getting the scholarship allowed me to start that growth for my future before I even graduated.”
Kinney continued, “With my degree in homeland security and emergency management, I had background knowledge in some of the topics in the course like business continuity and crisis management. Since taking the LPQ course though, I now have an understanding of loss prevention’s function in the retail environment and how businesses manage emergencies. I also gained eye-opening information about how the retail loss prevention world is changing and how measuring success in the industry has changed over the years.”
When Kinney was asked if getting his LPQ certification had changed his expectations of LP as a career, he explained, “The LPQ certification has allowed me to view myself as a support function for the company I work for and not just a security guard. There are multiple levels of loss prevention that must all work together for the good of the business, and I understand that more since going through the LPQ coursework. I would recommend anyone either already in the industry or looking to get into it, to take the Loss Prevention Foundation’s certification course. I think all could benefit from the knowledge it has to offer.”
Newly Certified
Following are individuals who recently earned their certifications.
Recent LPC Recipients
Caleb Blank, LPC, Ralph Lauren
Amanda Cosgrove, LPC, Meijer
Adam Halsey, LPC, Dick’s Sporting Goods
Nick Johnson, LPC, Lowe’s
Emylie Kanwar, LPC, LPQ, American Eagle Outfitters
Andrew Luther, LPC, Tractor Supply
Daniel Negron, LPC, Walgreens
Whitney Plemons, CFI, LPC, Insight to S.A.F.E, LLC
Vishaul Ravi, LPC, Amazon
Harold Robinson, LPC, Fanatics
Kurt Steffes, LPC, Meijer
Keith Tobar, LPC, TJX
Edmundo Velazquez, LPC, Aritzia
Recent LPQ Recipients
Kristin Carr, LPQ, Ferguson Enterprises LLC
Adam Green, LPQ, Home Depot
Scott Hartman, LPQ, Brevis Proeliis Consulting, LLC
Stephanie Hayes, LPQ, Giant Food Stores
Brandon Kinney, LPQ, TJX
Ceri McQueen, LPQ, Dyson
Melissa Nicholson, LPQ, Home Depot
Sofia Rosende, LPQ, ALTO US
William Simon, LPQ, Giant Food Stores
Craig Strunk, LPQ, Walmart
Taryn Weisberg, LPQ, ALTO US
Marc Zucaro, LPQ, HelloFresh