The LP Magazine “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 Magpie recipient 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 honoree.
Excellence in Partnerships, Shelby Dotson, Vice President of Member Relations, The Florida Retail Federation (FRF)
“Genuine and intentional relationships are important when developing lasting partnerships,” says Dotson. “I think it’s important to actively expand your network, meet as many people as you can, engage them, remember them, and celebrate and support them in any way you can. Pay it forward by being a connector and offering your help without any expectation in return. Partnerships thrive on trust and reliability—be the partner you expect others to be.”
In her role, Dotson focuses on strategic growth of association membership, marketing, communications, and project management. She joined the FRF team as director of membership in 2017 and was assigned to be staff liaison for both the Florida and Georgia Loss Prevention Councils. Since then, she’s jumped in to cover additional roles and tackle many special projects, which earned her a promotion to vice president of member relations in 2021.
Dotson is also working with the Florida Attorney General’s Office to grow the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange (FORCE), a statewide ORC taskforce. Working closely alongside Florida’s assistant statewide prosecutor for ORC, a robust intelligence-sharing network is being built, currently boasting nearly 1,000 retail and law enforcement members. FORCE currently hosts monthly intel sharing meetings and training sessions available to both loss prevention and law enforcement.
“You’ll never meet anyone you can’t learn something from,” she says. “I always keep that top of mind. Be accessible, ask questions, listen, take advice before you give it, and find a mentor (or a few) with experience willing to act as a sounding board. Don’t be afraid to make a personal connection by picking up the phone rather than relying on social networks or email to communicate. Be yourself and know that your reputation will be an essential consideration for those you desire to collaborate with.”
