Wharton/ASIS Program for Security Executives

TESTIMONIES

“Over the course of my career, I have seen an increasing need for security executives to understand business management disciplines, proactively anticipate business risks, and align efforts with corporate strategic goals. For example, we are increasingly working on challenges such as product counterfeiting, grey markets distribution channels, and business continuity planning, all of which address key security and business issues. Security has become more integral to the operation of the corporation; top security executives have to become true business partners now and for the future.”

Steve Chupa, CP Director of Security, Worldwide Security Group, Johnson & Johnson

“This course enabled me to understand the dynamics of the business culture, and provided me with the knowledge and ability to communicate more effectively with key stakeholders in the organization.”

Christy Hicks Supervisor, Corporate Security, Dominion Resources

“This program is exactly what security executives need to take us to the next level. The experience was phenomenal; I’ve already encouraged my assistant to sign up for the next session.”

Tom Matthews, Senior Vice Protection, President—Asset Protection, Saks Fifth Avenue

“Having spent most of my career in Federal law enforcement, this program provided great insight about how private industry operates and its relationship with private security, both proprietary and contract. Through my association with my classmates, I also gained great knowledge of the public/private interface between law enforcement and private security. Not only was what I gained from this program helpful during the remainder of my government service prior to retirement, it has been invaluable now that I am working in the private security industry. I feel sure that my participation in this program was instrumental in my recent selection as a member of the ASIS Law Enforcement Liaison Council.”

Jeff Roehm, Senior Vice President, Protective Services, American Security Programs, Inc., Dulles, VA

“What I’ve learned from the Wharton/ASIS Program will help me to accomplish what I’m trying to do in my company. It’s been extremely helpful in identifying the criteria that others in the organization look at for decision-making. I’ve even recommended this program to some of my suppliers, as it will help them to understand the issues that I am dealing with.

Tom Atkinson, Director of Worldwide Corporate Security, Polaroid Corporation

“My primary reason for attending the program was for continued personal development and to gain a better understanding of business practices. It’s important to understand business priorities as a whole in order to better position our security needs within normal business parameters. One of the main benefits of the program was being with other specialists in the same industry…trading experiences with them…finding out what worked and what didn’t.”

Tim Parker, Manager of Corporate Security, LL Bean

“I would recommend the Wharton/ASIS program to anyone who is a newly appointed security officer or is aspiring to a senior management position. Having spent most of my career on the operations side of security, where accomplishing the mission was the only objective, I considered strategic planning and finance to be what were handled by the bureaucrats in the front office. Not long ago, I found myself as one of those bureaucrats and was a bit uncomfortable. Since my attendance at this program, my approach is that we’re partners with a mutual goal. Finding the common ground is not as difficult as I had thought; I just didn’t have the right tools. I now am accomplishing things that never would have happened prior to my Wharton experience. The most beneficial parts of the course for me were the sessions on communications, crossing organizational boundaries, negotiations, and leadership, especially the trip to Gettysburg. The staff and accommodations at Wharton were top notch. Thank you for a valuable and memorable experience.”

— James C. Crail, CP Security Officer, Pentagon Renovation & Construction Program Office

“The Wharton/ASIS Executive Security Program ranks as one of the better educational experiences I’ve attended in more than 30 years as a security professional. As expected, the faculty, curriculum, and accommodations were superb. What I didn’t expect was the level of interest the instructors take with each participant. I was discussing leadership transitions with two faculty members who referred me to a book written by one of their colleagues. A week after the course, I received a followup note from Mario along with an autographed copy of Tom Gilmore’s book entitled Making a Leadership Change. That kind of attention to detail, I did not expect. I recommend this course of instruction for anyone serving in or aspiring to the position of Chief Security Officer.”

— Ken Newsham, Senior Security Manager, a Fortune 500 corporation