The Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR) is excited to announce the return of Brendan “Ben” Dugan to the role of president. Dugan, who currently serves as Executive Director, Central Investigations for CVS Health, is stepping back into the role after previously serving two terms as CLEAR President from 2017-2021. During that time, Dugan oversaw the largest expansion in the organization’s history and guided the non-profit through the national retail crime crisis and pandemic.
Dugan was nominated and re-elected by unanimous vote during CLEAR’s recent Annual Board Meeting. His return to the position was met with strong support from the Executive Board and newly named members appointed as part of the resurgence of the national coalition.
“I’m energized to step back in as President at this particular time,” said Dugan. “In previous years, we focused our energies on educating law enforcement, legislators, and the public on the real harm retail crime was causing. Due to the collaborative work with other industry associations, we accomplished that goal.” Dugan continued. “We have more state and federal resources to help combat these crimes than ever before,” he added, “and the solution providers are continuously developing new innovative technologies to help us be more efficient and safer.”
“That’s the fight I’m signing up for and the work the CLEAR Board of Directors is perfectly positioned to lead,” said Dugan. As President, Dugan will oversee the management of CLEAR’s Board of Directors, board governance, and the development of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the organization’s ability to serve its members. His leadership will guide CLEAR into its next phase of growth, ensuring that it remains a critical resource for both law enforcement and retail professionals.
CLEAR also announced the appointment of several new members to its Board of Directors, marking an exciting step forward for the organization. With these strategic appointments, the Board is proud to share that all open roles have been filled, creating a dynamic and fully staffed leadership team.
The Board of Directors has unanimously elected the following individuals to key leadership positions:
Raul Aguilar – Senior Director – Law Enforcement Partnerships, Auror
Melissa Lauricello, CFI, LPC – Senior Manager of Asset Protection Investigations, Gap Inc.
Rich Rossman – Sergeant, Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Christian Hardman, LPQ – Supervisor of Criminal and Regulatory Investigations, eBay
Tom Meehan – Chief Executive Officer, ControlTek
Kyle Woods – Director of Organized Retail Crime, Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Bill Corfield – Senior Manager of Field Investigations, Target
Kelly Hansen, LPC – Director of Organized Retail Crime, Macy’s
Howard Mergler – Sergeant, Fairfax County Police Department
These talented leaders bring a wealth of experience and a shared vision for the future of CLEAR, setting the stage for impactful progress. Their diverse expertise, spanning both retail and law enforcement sectors, will be instrumental in advancing the coalition’s mission to foster collaboration, improve investigative efforts, and drive legislative initiatives that benefit both sectors and public safety alike.
With every seat on the Board now filled, the Coalition is energized to move forward with zero vacancies, ensuring that no opportunity is left unmet in advancing the strategic initiatives that will shape the years ahead.
The Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the newly elected members and looks forward to working closely with them to continue its mission of promoting best practices, enhancing security, and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and retail partners.
This exciting new chapter marks a renewed focus on innovation, advocacy, and proactive engagement, and the organization is eager to embark on this journey with its fully staffed Board leading the way.
“This announcement marks a significant milestone for CLEAR as we welcome a dynamic group of leaders to our Board of Directors,” says John ‘JC’ Clark, executive director at CLEAR. “Each individual brings unique skills and perspectives that will be crucial in driving our mission forward. With a fully staffed Board, we are better positioned than ever to enhance collaboration between law enforcement and retail, tackle emerging challenges, and implement strategic initiatives. I’m excited to see the impact this team will have as we work together to create safer environments and foster stronger partnerships.”
“We are excited to welcome this talented group of leaders to our Board of Directors,” added Jason Davies, vice president of retail at CLEAR. “Their collective expertise will play a critical role in advancing CLEAR’s mission of fostering collaboration between retail and law enforcement. With every seat on the Board now filled, we are well-positioned to drive key initiatives and continue making a meaningful impact in the years ahead. This is a pivotal moment for our organization, and I look forward to the great work we will accomplish together.”