?The Northern New Jersey Chapter of ASIS International was recently analyzing its meeting attendee records when it discovered something unusual. A member named Frank Bresnahan was on the books who had joined the Society in 1958, making him the oldest living member of the chapter�at 100 years old.

Bresnahan joined ASIS on November 1, 1958, when he worked for I.T. & T., and maintained his membership when he joined Bendix. With both employers, Bresnahan held a Top Secret security clearance and trained employees during the heart of the Cold War to be aware of Russian nationals attempting to extract information.�

In 1980, Bresnahan won theCogswell Trophy for Outstanding Industrial Security Achievement? for his work with Bendix. The award is named for Air Force Col. James S. Cogswell, who was the first chief of industrial security for the U.S. Department of Defense, and recognizes industrial security excellence. It is considered the �most prestigious honor the Defense Security Service may bestow to cleared industry,� according to the Defense Security Service�s website.?

After reaching out to Bresnahan�s son and getting Bresnahan�s approval, the Northern New Jersey Chapter Executive Board Chair Thomas Whittles; Vice Chair Herbert Simon, CPP; Treasurer Michael Bucci; and Secretary Kaycee Ciccone�visited Bresnahan at his home this spring.�

While there, Bresnahan shared memories of serving in the military in the South Pacific, how his weekly pay was doubled to $54 because he knew shorthand, and how he came home safely to raise a family and eventually join ASIS.

During the visit, the board gave Bresnahan a �Centenarian� appreciation plaque, a 50th anniversary ASIS book, and other gifts. The members who participated in the visit to Bresnahan�s home said it was an ASIS career highlight, according to a press release sent to�Security Management�?by the chapter.

For more information on the Northern New Jersey Chapter, visit itswebsite.