The LPM “Magpie” 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 that 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, our people, and our programs. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our latest honorees.
Excellence in Community Service
Adel Sayegh, President/CEO, Universal Surveillance Systems
One of ten children, Sayegh was born in a small village outside of Amman, Jordan, and immigrated to the United States at age six. “I’ve never forgotten the poverty I endured as a child,” said Sayegh. “Those experiences inspired my deep conviction that my life’s mission is to offer children, mired in seemingly hopeless poverty and despair, uplifting hope and inspiration to truly believe in their incredible potential while never ceasing to strive for success in life.”
Sayegh’s dedication to give back inspired the USS Foundation, which he established. From hosting free educational programs to combat organized retail crime to sponsoring innovative initiatives helping those less fortunate, he continues to do his part in making the world a better place.
“Our highest calling in this life is to recognize the numerous blessings that have been poured upon each of us and in turn to reciprocate those blessings by showing compassion and generosity to those who have not been afforded the same opportunities in life due to situation and circumstance. Giving back is the only real way I can demonstrate my gratitude, instill the right lessons in my own family, and positively impact the future generation that will one day lead our communities.”
Sayegh feels that compassion is the quality that drives true leadership. “A compassionate perspective allows for giving from the heart—and those are the gestures that make the most-lasting impact. Hold yourself to a higher standard, and you’ll witness your peers and colleagues rise to the occasion to meet you there.
“The path of a leader isn’t an easy one, but as you learn to lead and inspire others, I can say without a doubt that it’s one of the most rewarding experiences in this life.”
Excellence in Community Service
Tina Sellers, Director of Asset Protection, Retail Business Services, an Ahold Delhaize Company
“During my career I’ve benefitted from moving around the country learning different cultures and geographies,” said Sellers. “I’ve had great mentors and leaders to learn from, but I’ve also been fortunate to lead teams of hard-working, professional people every step of the way. I enjoy giving back. I feel so blessed to have had the career and life that I’ve had, and am driven to help others move ahead as well.
“When I came to Delhaize America, I learned more about the hunger crisis in our own country, where 41.2 million people live in food-insecure households. That’s when I began to volunteer with Food Lion Feeds, packing food staples for those in need. This was truly an awakening to the needs of my own community, where I’ve volunteered to serve meals, donated food for holiday distribution, packed school backpacks with food and school supplies, and collect all the travel toiletries from my work travels to donate to our local shelter. Our loss prevention team also recently helped build a house with Habitat for Humanity, and some of us participated with the Food Lion leadership team to set a Guinness World Book of Records for making over 10,000 bagged lunches in one hour.
“Always do something that feeds your spirit. Find time to do whatever recharges you, and you’ll be better at work, in your community, and even within your own family. But leave room for community work—as asset protection professionals we’re called to serve, and our lives are more fulfilled when we do.”
Nominations Are Encouraged
We want this to be your program. Those of you working as LP practitioners witness these exceptional performances on a regular and ongoing basis, and we strongly encourage you to provide us with nominees for each of the award categories. We encourage creative nominations and want the program to cast a positive light on the many tremendous contributions of the loss prevention community. Nominations can be submitted via email to excellence [at] LPportal.com.