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"Throughout my professional career, I tried to embody the values of leadership, innovation and service that Western Illinois University strives to instill in its graduates," Johnson said.
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WIU Law Enforcement, and Justice Administration (LEJA) Alumnus Gary Johnson '84
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WIU Alumnus Gary Johnson Receives NRF Ring of Excellence Award

June 24, 2024

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University proud alumnus Gary Johnson ‘84 recently received the esteemed National Retail Federation (NRF) Ring of Excellence Award. This award is the pinnacle of recognition for loss prevention professionals, celebrating individuals whose contributions have shaped the industry.

"The Ring of Excellence Award honors exemplary leaders in asset protection and loss prevention," David Johnston, NRF vice president of Asset Protection and Retail Operations said. "The recipients have profoundly impacted the retail industry, dedicating their careers to safeguarding their colleagues, customers and retail stores across the country."

Johnson graduated from WIU in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) and dual minors in Security Administration and Sociology.

Johnson's career in loss prevention spans over four decades, marked by significant achievements that have transformed the retail industry. He laid a strong foundation for the future of retail loss prevention and has proven his commitment to excellence and innovation in the field.

"Leadership is about the impact you have on others," Johnson said. "I am humbled by my induction to the ‘Ring of Excellence' and I am grateful to my loss prevention teams and company executives who supported me and helped shape my path."

The NRF's Ring of Excellence Award, established in 2007 by the Loss Prevention Council, honors leaders who have made lasting contributions to the industry. The award was presented to Johnson in June, during the annual NRF PROTECT Conference in Long Beach, CA. This event is a gathering of the top minds in loss prevention, where Johnson's achievements were celebrated by peers and industry leaders alike.

Johnson's professional and strategic vision and ability to drive meaningful change resulted in transformative leadership roles at major retail companies such as Guitar Center, Inc., The Vitamin Shoppe, Inc., Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P Supermarkets) and Barnes & Noble, Inc. In each of these roles, Johnson established cutting-edge strategies and methods to strengthen enterprise risk management, reduce inventory shrinkage, bolster workplace safety and optimize operational execution.

A champion for industry advancement, one of Johnson's achievements was his active participation in the legislative efforts on Capitol Hill to introduce the Organized Retail Crime Bill. This initiative, which was the first Organized Retail Crime bill in 2009, made organized retail crime a federal offense and stepped up restrictions for online auction sites used to fence stolen retail goods.

Johnson's dedication to the industry goes beyond his executive roles and he has worked tirelessly to advance the field of loss prevention through his engagement with industry councils, research advocacy and education. He has served on the NRF's Loss Prevention Advisory Council, where he has held positions as chairman and vice chair. His contributions to the NRF PROTECT conferences, where he curated engaging educational content and served as a frequent speaker, have helped shape the base and professional standards in loss prevention.

"I always felt that Loss Prevention was not a spectator sport that you could just watch from the sidelines. To make a real impact, you need to be actively engaged, participate, take chances – be in the game," Johnson said.

As a founding member of the Loss Prevention Research Council in collaboration with the University of Florida, Johnson has been at the forefront of research and development in the field. He has also worked on the Editorial Board for LP Magazine, further highlighting his commitment to knowledge-sharing that benefits the entire loss prevention industry.

Johnson's significant contributions of lasting value, leadership roles, development of new ideas and techniques and outstanding service to multiple organizations within the industry match the criteria for the Ring of Excellence Award. Johnson's innovative and proactive approaches showcased over his career such as deploying online fraud prevention tools, leveraging security technologies, crafting emergency response plans, along with being a champion for employee awareness and training programs have changed loss prevention standards for retailers.

Another of Johnson's achievements was reducing inventory shrink at the varied organizations he worked for resulting in millions of dollars in shrink savings coupled with robust fraud controls resulting in improved merchandise availability for customers. His team's proactive strategies were embraced by leadership and in-store employees alike. His efforts in rejuvenating safety programs, which focused on early identification, preparedness and response have not only protected assets but also ensured a safer work environment for employees.

Johnson's dedication to service goes beyond his professional accomplishments. As a member of the LEJA Advisory Council at WIU, he continues to contribute to the academic community. His passion for mentoring and skill development has helped many former employees reach elevated career levels.

"Throughout my professional career, I tried to embody the values of leadership, innovation and service that Western Illinois University strives to instill in its graduates," Johnson said.

This award is something WIU is honored to celebrate, and Johnson is one of many alumni who have proven excellence, leadership and innovation throughout their careers.

For more information on WIU's LEJA program, visit wiu.edu/LEJA.

Posted By: Lexi Yoggerst (AJ-Yoggerst@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing