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. Nominate your peers at Excellence[at]LPportal.com.
Fredric “Fritz” Hirchert, Vice President of Loss Prevention & Risk Management, Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM)
“It’s important to understand that change isn’t just inevitable; it’s necessary,” said Hirchert. “Change is what moves us forward and helps us grow. But we still have to do our part. Be available, step up, fill the void, and make it happen. Take leadership seriously. Make a difference, and have that difference mean something.”
Hirchert has seen his share of change, having been part of the evolution of loss prevention for nearly fifty years. A graduate of Michigan State University, he started his loss prevention career with Montgomery Ward in 1971. By 1975 he held his first director-level position with Red Owl Food/Snyder Drugs and has since held leadership positions with TG&Y Stores, Payless Cashways, Home Quarters Warehouse, and most recently as vice president of loss prevention and risk management with the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), where he’s served from 1995 until his recent retirement.
Although his contributions to the industry include serving on the National Retail Federation LP Council and the Home Center Institute’s LP/Safety Council, being a member of ASIS for forty years and a founding member of the LP Foundation, and writing as a contributor during the early years of LP Magazine, Hirchert sees his most important professional success through different eyes.
“I feel my greatest professional accomplishments have been made through the mentorship of the men and women that I have been fortunate enough to work with over the years. Their achievements and successes have met and exceeded both my expectations and their own. That will always be among the things I’m most proud of,” he said. “Of course, it’s important to embrace the basics of the job, but always remember the job is about people and building relationships of trust. Set goals for your vision of success, but ensure those goals include a positive life balance. That’s what it takes to be a true leader.”
Nominate Your Peers at Excellence@LPportal.com
