Rich Patti

February Chapter Meeting at Google

01/13/2020 by Rich Patti

Date: February 26, 2020
Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Google 111 8th Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10011 (enter the 15th Street 8th Avenue Google Entrance – Google Security will direct to proper floor)
Cost: $65.00 per person
Guest Speaker: Google security team members

Please join the ASIS International Chapter at Google New York City for an opportunity to check out one the most iconic tech companies in the world! At this event, you will get an opportunity to see the amazing Google space in Chelsea, NYC, hear from Google security team members on how they protect Google! This event will also feature an entire time slot at the end of the event to network, relax and enjoy some delicious treats, all in the amazing and expansive Google NY headquarters! We will also have Chapter leadership provide an update on where the Chapter is heading for 2020, upcoming events and an opportunity to hear from you “the members” on your thoughts on the future of the Chapter! Don’t miss this exciting event and unique opportunity to visit Google!

Registration is strictly limited and we will be cutting off registration at 125 persons. This sure to sell out, so don’t delay with signing up! Note –There will be no onsite admission to this meeting, all attendance must be registered online prior to the event registration closes.

For additional information and registration click HERE

Recap: Women in Security Summit

12/11/2019 by Rich Patti

By Maire Harrington
Chapter Writer

When Don Francisco, Chapter Chairman, tasked Catherine Hartwell and Dov Horwitz with organizing the Woman in Security Summit on October 18, 2019 they stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball right out of the park. This dynamic duo assembled a stellar assemblage of female security professionals for this event.

Eighteen (18) corporate sponsors helped defray the costs associated with this event. Thank you for supporting the females in our profession. Thanks also to the male security professionals who attended. Perhaps some remembered thought from this seminar will be beneficial for inclusiveness within your organization.

The Presenters

Kathy Lavinder, SI Placement, was the event moderator. Kathy also stepped in for one panelist, Juanita Holmes, Bank of New York, who was unable to attend.

“Don’t Prove Yourself, Improve Yourself”

One of the take-aways from Christina Duffey

The Chapter welcomed Christina Duffey, the President of ASIS International, as keynote speaker. The Chapter was extremely fortunate as Christina cannot possible accept all speaking engagements. Christina told about her experiences while climbing the ranks of the contract security field. She started as a young female with no prior law enforcement background. Very early on in her career, Christina, was faced with an active shooter situation. She handled the situation in a cool, professional manner that ensured what law enforcement would euphemistically now term a favorable outcome. This did not deter Christina, neither did any of the other stressors that females faced. She stressed the difference of having professional certifications has made in her career trajectory.

Caress Kennedy, Allied Universal, discussed current security trends with regard to emerging technologies. Caress stated security professionals need to become perhaps more specialized. The more connected devices, the Internet, more sophisticated cybersecurity protocols, more comprehensive security operations centers all require far more advanced skills and knowledge than filling a guard booth.

Kathy Lavinder stressed the need for female job candidates to negotiate their salary requirements. Females have shied away this. Kathy discussed the trend for a more diverse, inclusive workforce.

“You Can’t Get There From Here”

Debra Baker, TD Ameritrade, also stepping in for Juanita Holmes, discussed the transition from law enforcement to the private security industry. Deb was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the NJ State Troopers prior to entering the private security field. She stressed the need for a resume that manages to transfer wording from law enforcement jargon to corporate English. That is often not an easy task.

The Panel

A panel discussion followed with Debra Baker, Anjene Abston, Tri State and We Work, and Denise Niles, AES, as panelists. Denise serves as the Women in Security Liaison for the Chapter. Some of the topics discussed were the need for more women to be recruited for the security profession, the need for women to help each other and the value of networking by attending professional organizational functions.

The seminar was held in the newly renovated third floor of Rosie O’Grady’s Manhattan Manor. As usual Events Manager, Ms. Burke and her staff provided the refreshments in a seamless and professional manner. The NYC Chapter has held many of our monthly meetings at the Manhattan Manor over the years. For more information see their website www.manhattanmanor.com.

Security Director 2019 Now Available

05/20/2019 by Rich Patti

The 2019 spring edition of Security Director is now available for download in PDF format. Security Director is the official magazine of the 29th ASIS NYC Security Conference and Expo held on May 15-16, 2019. The magazine contains write ups for all honorees including the 2019 Person of the Year Chief Owen J. Monaghan, CPP, Keynote Speaker Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, The Eugene J. Casey Award to Lynn Brown and the Honor of Merit award to Monsignor Robert J. Romano. Also included are several articles relative to the security industry written be industry professionals. In case you want to follow-up with exhibitors from the show floor Security Director contains the official Directory of Exhibitors. Download your copy today at the link below.

2019 Security Director download

Recap of the April 26 Chapter Meeting

05/20/2019 by Rich Patti

By Maire Harrington
Chapter Writer

Prosecutor: What makes you special?

Dan McCaffrey: “My mother made me special, the FBI made me a Special Agent” Actual Court Testimony

That quote falls under the rubric of you cannot make this stuff up. Anyone from law enforcement involved in court proceedings learns quickly that prosecutors do their best to make law enforcement professionals sound foolish or get flustered while on the stand. Dan McCaffrey was a seasoned veteran and he was well able to handle that rather snarky question.

Dan McCaffrey was the guest speaker at the April 26, 2019, meeting of the NYC Chapter at Rosie O’Grady’s. It is an arduous task to sum up all of the info that he related to the chapter, as he is a man with several areas of expertise. At one point, Don Francisco inquired about a crying room. Now it may be assumed that there is a room within FBI HQ where an individual may be left to contemplate their fate, which may include serving a lengthy stay in Leavenworth. However, the crying room is located in the iconic Tiffany store in Manhattan. Apparently, some jewelry gifts are placed in the iconic little blue Tiffany boxes that were not purchased at Tiffany only to the disappointment of the recipient when returned for service. Thus, the crying room.

Why would a guest speaker of the chapter be relating stories about jewelry? Dan started his career at Tiffany in NYC. His fascination with jewels led him to this famous shop, where he gained a thorough understanding about gems and sophisticated jewel heists. He decided to share this rather esoteric (at least to most law enforcement agencies) knowledge for the public good by joining the ranks of the FBI. Agents were trained by Dan and these agents in turn trained and work with local police departments. Dan single-handedly advanced the ability of law enforcement both here in the US and by forming congenial relationships with agencies such as Interpol, to apprehend jewel thieves worldwide.

Dan retired from the FBI and is now the Director of Security at Rolex USA. Although he did not have any samples for the attendees, he provided many gems of information and several good laughs as well.

Dan McCaffrey receives speaker award from Chairman Don Francisco and Brian Reich

Active Shooter Symposium Recap

04/09/2019 by Rich Patti

By Marie Harrington
Chapter Writer

Security is Everyone’s Business

The Active Shooter Security Symposium that the NYC Chapter hosted on March 22, 2019 at the world-renowned Museum of Modern Art was a conference that should not have been missed. New Yorkers never do things in a small way and the symposium was attended by an excess of 200 individuals, either employed or interested in, all phases of the ever more essential and expanding security industry. The NYC Chapter gathered an incredible line up of distinguished security professionals to share their extensive knowledge with all that were fortunate to attend. The event was held in the Titus 1 Theater, the largest of the two theaters housed within MoMA. Art Food Catering provided a continental breakfast before the conference began.

Daniel Platt, the Director of Security for MoMA, was instrumental in securing the space for the symposium. Matt Peters, from Gavin deBecker and Associates, organized the event. Thank you for making this a memorable event.

After opening comments from Chapter Chairman, Don Francisco, Steve Sacchetti, Chapter Vice Chairman took the helm. James Hamilton, from Gavin deBecker and Associates, was the first speaker. James served with the FBI for 17 years. While there, James developed training programs still being utilized by the NYPD, the NSA, the FBI and other governmental agencies. James focused on steps useful for preventing workplace violence by focusing on pre-incident behavioral patterns. Threats may be from internal sources who would be familiar with the physical layout of the area. James believes that run, hide and fight training needs to expanded as each situation may need a different survival technique. Survival awareness is what is necessary.

Dan Ryan, from Brookfield Properties, spoke about workplace shootings that occurred on Brookfield properties. Dan focused on a shooting in sprwaling suburban mall. Brookfield developed a comprehensive plan for managing the many, diverse challenges that these shootings require. The fallout from these incidents is mind-boggling. Brookfield gave much needed support to the victims and their families as well as to the community at large. The marketing team even arranged a space and a method for the public to leave memorial messages. Brookfield also went into herculean overdrive to damage to the property. Dan shared actual footage from the shooting incident. The reactions of those out shopping and not expecting to hear gun fire was viewed in real time. That was truly a learning experience.

A panel discussion was the third event of the symposium. The expertise of the 3 panelists was incredible to have in one event, and the NYC Chapter does not disappoint. Diego Rodriguez is the Vice President of Security and Emergency Management at New York Presbyterian, Jerome Pickett is the Executive Vice President and CSO of the National Basketball Association and Philip Halpin is the Senior Vice President for Global Security at Brown Brothers Harriman. It would be difficult to summarize all that was discussed. One of the most salient topics discussed was how to obtain more resources for your security departments.

The chapter will be hosting other events, so please support these endeavors. There is always something new to be learned.

The NYC Chapter wishes to thank the following for sponsoring this event

Please consider having your firm or organization sponsor a future event.