CERTIFICATION

Fundamental LP Knowledge

Interview with Sue Read, LPC

Read’s loss prevention career spans twenty-three years, starting as a part-time store detective with Value City department stores while earning her degree at Penn State University. She later joined Lowe’s where she spent fourteen years in a variety of LP and safety positions. She is now the director of environmental health and safety and loss prevention for FleetPride, the largest distributor of truck and trailer parts in the independent heavy-duty aftermarket channel. It operates over 270 retail locations, forty full-service centers, and five distribution centers across forty-six states.

Why did you decide to pursue your LPC certification?

Lowe’s was and is fully invested in the value of the curriculum and quality of the certification and took steps to ensure that all field and corporate level leaders were offered the opportunity to earn the LPC accreditation.

Was the coursework what you expected?

I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I did go into the process making the assumption that my twenty years of experience would allow me to “fly through” the content fairly easily and that I would not learn much. Needless to say, I was wrong. I learned a lot, and it was more challenging than I believed it would be.

Talk about the process of going through the coursework and taking the exam.

Like most people seeking education while working a full-time job, going through the coursework and preparing for the exam takes commitment and a level of time management. I found myself often trying to review a lot of the material in large segments as opposed to smaller, regular intervals due to the competing business and personal demands. The Gopher notes became critical as I got deeper into the content and completed the courses that covered topics outside of my expertise and experience. The quizzes and practice exam were also very beneficial to preparing for the certification exam.

What benefits have you seen from taking the course?

The coursework provided me fundamental knowledge that has benefited me in conversations and collaborations with those in other retail businesses or in other business units within my organization.

Looking at your own personal background and knowledge, what information in the course helped you the most?

Going into the process, I really didn’t have depth of experience in the regulatory, pharmacy, and supply-chain content. I picked up a lot of value with these parts of the curriculum.

If you could offer one key takeaway to someone currently considering getting certified, what would it be?

As a hiring manager and knowing what I invested with my time and what I learned getting the LPC, when I see that LPC designation after someone’s name on a resume, it means something. The LPC will pay dividends if you are looking to expand your knowledge about the loss prevention industry, whether to get your foot in the door or promote within your organization.

How would you compare the foundation certifications to other educational courses that you’ve taken?

I would put it on par with most of the courses I had in college with respect to quality and content. This curriculum was developed by our industry leaders and subject-matter experts. It’s like getting the blueprint to success in the industry from those who have been the most successful.

How has certification changed your expectations of loss prevention as a career, for yourself and for others?

I don’t know if it changed my expectations about loss prevention as a career. I already knew that we had the some of the best and brightest people leading an evolving industry that has imprinted itself into the fabric of the retail business model as a critical component. I believe that the certification has added a level of credibility and professionalism to our industry that has been long overdue.

What was the most eye-opening information that was part of the curriculum?

I was quite surprised about the many layers of content, which expanded well beyond the traditional retail loss prevention framework.

Would you recommend certification to others?

Without a doubt. As a matter of fact, I received scholarships from AFA Protective Systems for my field team to get certified in 2018. I will be both excited and relieved when they all pass and can put LPC on their signatures.

Recent LPC Recipients

Ryan Adams, LPC, Amazon Kristel Alamares, LPC, Walmart Stores Daniel Alexander, LPC, Walmart Stores Emily Buck, LPC, Walmart Stores Ryan Collins, LPC, Walmart Stores Justin Combs, LPC, Walmart Stores Joshua Daniels, LPC, Walmart Stores Deanna DeCourcy, LPC, Walmart Stores Christy Dennis, LPC, Walmart Stores Paul Dollinger, LPC, Amazon Joseph Gibney, LPC, Chico’s FAS Kelly Goracke, LPC, Walmart Stores John Gosciejew, LPC, Walmart Stores Mark Hallowich, LPC, Amazon John Higgs, LPC, Walmart Stores Alnahl Jones, LPC, Walmart Stores Sean Kostashuk, LPC, Amazon Michelle Langford, LPC, Albertsons James Lapcevic, LPC, Luxottica Rickey Lash, LPC, Amazon Kevin Lemons, LPC, Walmart Stores Daron Lindman, LPC, Sears Jeffrey Rickey, LPC, Walmart Stores Carlos Rico, LPC, Walmart Stores Zachary Ryan, LPC, Amazon Mark Shorney, LPC, John Lewis plc Rocky Smith, LPC, Walmart Stores Casey Smith, LPC, Walmart Stores Eric Stone, LPC, Amazon Antonio Van Hise, LPC, Amazon Maria Vaz, LPC, Walmart Stores Vincent Vita, LPC, Amazon Barbara Weaver, LPQ, LPC, Best Buy Jared Wesselman, LPC, Walmart Stores Christopher Willis, LPC, Walmart Stores Jennifer Zervas, LPC, At Home

Recent LPQ Recipients

Theresa Ajayi, LPQ, ORIS Media Lesley Capron, LPQ, ORIS Media Jeffrey Cashman, LPQ, TJX Jeannette Dunlap, LPQ, REI Tiffany Gray, LPQ, Walmart Stores Jakob Grun, LPQ, ORIS Media Ron Houk, LPQ, Mattel American Girl Abigail Jagger, LPQ, ORIS Media Donald Lauritsen, LPQ, 7-Eleven Latoya Long, LPQ, Rite Aid Dale Markiewicz, LPQ, Walmart Stores Michael McRoberts, LPQ, Law Enforcement Lindsay Parker, LPQ, DICK’S Sporting Goods Elizabeth Pegram, LPQ, Travis Perkins Kylie Rudy, LPQ, Kennesaw State University Nicole Salas, LPQ, REI Mohammadsami Shaikh, LPQ, Bloomingdale’s Nigel Sutliffe, LPQ, ORIS Media Zbigniew Trendak, LPQ, Levi Strauss and Company

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Professional development is key to a fulfilling career. Visit www.LossPreventionFoundation.org to find out more.

SM