About Us - Staff

Gene Smith, President

Gene Smith joined the Loss Prevention Foundation in January 2007. Prior to joining LPF , Gene served as President of North America’s largest Executive Search & Consulting firm specializing in providing Human Resource solutions for the retail Loss Prevention, Safety and Audit industries. During his fifteen-plus years with the firm he was directly involved in conducting assessment interviews, evaluating performance and identifying talent- while providing career counseling for thousands of industry professionals nationwide. Additional responsibilities included active participation in conducting many industry organizational reviews, operational strategies and succession plans.

Smith's previous experience includes serving twelve years in the retail Loss Prevention industry. His extensive resume includes two years as a Loss Prevention Training Manager with Federated Department Stores before serving in various Directorships with Federated, Consumers Catalog Showrooms and Revco Drug Stores.

Gene is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration and an Associate of Arts degree in Security & Public Safety. EKU has also acknowledged him as a Distinguished Alumni for his service in the Loss Prevention and Security industries. Gene is also a member of ASIS, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the Alpha Phi Sigma Alumni Association.

Please contact Gene Smith or 704-837-2521

Rhett Asher, Vice President

Rhett Asher was named the vice president of the Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF) in October 2006. Prior to joining LPF, Rhett was the vice president of loss prevention for the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). During this tenure, he coordinated and grew the RILA Loss Prevention, Auditing and Safety conference and headed several of RILA’s industry networking groups, such as the Asset Protection Leaders Council, Operational Store Audit Committee, Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Committee, DHS Committee and Safety Task Force and negotiated a new gift card policy with eBay. Previously, Asher has been heavily involved in the retail industry serving in many management positions for companies such as Herman’s World of Sporting Goods, Best Products, Modell’s Sporting Goods, Cort Business Services and Ross Stores, Inc.

Rhett is a member of the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) Board of Advisors, National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP) - Advisory Committee, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Commercial Facilities Sector Coordinating Council.

Please contact Rhett Asher or 240-252-3258

Kelly Durham, Marketing Coordinator

Kelly Durham joined the Loss Prevention Foundation in May 2008. Prior to joining the foundation, Kelly gained valuable customer service and marketing experience with Belk Stores, Ballantyne Resort, and National Diagnostics Inc.

Kelly is a graduate from Elon University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Marketing. She also studied abroad in England, Italy and was consistently on the dean's list. Kelly was also a part of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity.

Please contact Kelly Durham or 704-405-4404

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