LP Magazine recently lost one of its own with the passing of John Selevitch after a courageous battle fighting a sustained illness. John was a well-liked, long tenured, and highly respected member of the loss prevention community, having dedicated his career to the profession and people that he loved. His passion for serving the team and his support for the entire loss prevention community will be warmly remembered by all those who knew him.
John was a leader in the industry long before joining the magazine. After being born and raised in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts, he served as a military policeman with the US Air Force. He then moved into loss prevention, working for a varied and prestigious collection of national and international retailers in a number of different retail formats while helping to build and shape many different loss prevention programs across the country. Working in leadership roles for Limited Brands, Sunglass Hut, Toys R Us, Staples, and stores held by Federated Department Stores and Carter, Hawley, and Hale, he was well known for “approaching LP with attitude—having the confidence, mental agility, and a creative flair that elevated both the program and the team.”
John had a passion for personal and professional development, a zest for helping others across the loss prevention community, and eagerly stepped up when called upon for support and guidance. He was a contributor and early supporter of LP Magazine since its inception, involved with the print magazine and directly participating in the development of the magazine’s digital resources. He was also a fervent supporter of the Loss Prevention Foundation, contributing to the development of both the LPQualified and LPCertified certification programs.
John had a passion for cooking and was also an ardent supporter of the Charlotte Humane Society and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. While many saw him as quiet and reserved, he was a master at understatement with a signature dry wit that could catch you off guard at the most unexpected moments. His subtle observations, quick wit, and keen judgment made him a valuable leader and cherished friend. His humor, kindness, and quiet strength left a lasting impression on all who knew him, and he will be deeply missed.
Please join us in offering our condolences to the Selevitch family as well as his friends and family across the loss prevention community.