The LPM “Magpie” Awards offer a means to celebrate industry accomplishments recognizing the loss prevention professionals, teams, solution providers, and law enforcement partners that demonstrate a stellar contribution to the profession. Please join LPM in celebrating the accomplishments of our latest honorees.
Pedro Ramos, Vice President of Sales, Agilence
“Every relationship has value, and the ability to build relationships is essential,” said Ramos. “Even if there isn’t an immediate fit with the business partnership, the relationship will always pay dividends. I’m proud to say that most of my friends are from this industry.”
Ramos began his career on the retail side of the business as a store associate at Pathmark Stores. He quickly moved to asset protection and climbed the ladder adding operations, distribution, food safety, audit, and risk while working his way into the AVP role for asset protection. When Pathmark was acquired by A&P in 2008, he embarked on a different journey, joining Agilence in a business development and retail consulting role where he currently serves as vice president of sales.
“The retail leadership skills I learned working with my operations customers, maximizing opportunities, building infrastructure, developing people, and active leadership all transferred to the solution provider side,” he explained. “I’ve always seen new challenges as critical to professional development. And while I’ve been on the solution provider side for many years now, I still consider myself as being in loss prevention. It’s just that now I’m working with customers to help them build out a vision.”
For young leaders working their way up the career ladder, Ramos stresses the importance of keeping an open mind and asking lots of questions. “Work on saying yes more often than no,” he said. “Regardless of someone’s title or role, don’t be afraid to ask for advice or guidance. You’ll find that most people genuinely want to help—all you have to do is ask. And don’t be shy about asking about potential opportunities. We start by selling our value in an interview and as our responsibilities grow, we sell our ideas and programs. The beginning of that process is to engage.”