Steve Somers named recipient of the E.J. Criscuoli, Jr., CPP, Volunteer Leadership Award for significant contributions to security industry 

Montreal, Quebec (September  1, 2022) –  GardaWorld, a global champion in security services, integrated risk management and cash solutions, is pleased to announce that Regional Vice President Steve Somers, CPP, was named the recipient of the E.J. Criscuoli, Jr., CPP, Volunteer Leadership Award from ASIS International. This award celebrates an ASIS International member who has exhibited selfless devotion at the volunteer level, emphasizing significant contributions at the chapter and regional levels over an extended period of time. 

“As a leader, Steve understands the importance of building and fostering relationships, as well as giving back to the community,” shared Prentice Robertson, President/COO GardaWorld. “He encourages his team at GardaWorld to make similar commitments which have propelled them to be involved in ASIS, as well as many other worthy public/private partnerships.” Today, many of Steve’s team, which includes 15 direct reports and a team of about 3,000 officers, many are active in ASIS.”
 
Somers is a member of the ASIS Community Steering Committee– a position he has held for the past two years. In addition to his current post, he was Assistant Regional Vice President for Region XV from 2011 to 2014, Chapter Chairman from 2008 to 2010 and 2016 to 2017, and a part of the Law Enforcement Liaison Council from 2015 to 2021. 

Somers has also held numerous positions over the past 15 years in the Baltimore chapter as Membership Chair, Placement Chair, Awards Committee, Webmaster, Newsletter Chair, Certification Chair, LEL Chair, Seminar Chair, and Foundation Liaison. After successfully leading the Baltimore Chapter, Steve was asked to lead the Maryland Suburban Chapter, which had been inactive for 10 years. Under his leadership, both chapters grew together and reached approximately 60 to 75 attendees during their monthly events.

Constantly seeking to deepen his impact, Somers has promoted the importance of continued education and credentials. Somers launched a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) exam study group with fellow chapter members, and its success led him to create the first online CPP study group in order to help others reach this achievement. Over 150 people nationwide attended the first study group, spawning additional study groups to be created throughout the years, which were sanctioned by ASIS. 

Somers’ altruistic legacy continued thanks to his leadership of an annual Christmas drive, ten years running, with the Baltimore Chapter and started an annual Golf Tournament to raise funds for the chapter further demonstrating his commitment to serving the local community by providing resources and support to women and children at domestic violence and abuse centers. He also founded the Baltimore and Suburban Maryland Chapters’ Security Summit in Ocean City, which still takes place today, and developed the Chapters’ annual Law Enforcement and private security awards that produced significant profits for the chapter’s philanthropic efforts towards local and national charity organizations such as The Wounded Warriors Project.

Over the past 20 years, Somers has focused significantly on developing partnerships between the public and private sector and has worked with some of the nation’s largest public-private partnerships, overcoming numerous obstacles to build trust between the public and private sectors. Somers helped major agencies, such as the Baltimore City Police and Baltimore County Police and New York Police Department, expand and develop these mutually beneficial relationships, creating safer communities. His leadership roles in this space include co-Founder and President of The Global Shield Foundation, which supports members of the Global Shield Network (GSN)— one of the largest public/private partnership in the world, President of the Baltimore County Police Foundation, Chair of the Private Sector Committee for Maryland Chiefs of Police Association Inc., and board member for Washington DC Police Foundation.

“Steve has dedicated his career to building relationships and bridges throughout the security industry and the communities that it serves,” continued Robertson. “As an active ASIS member himself, Steve believes strongly in the power and support of ASIS International.”
 
The E.J. Criscuoli, Jr., CPP, Volunteer Leadership Award was created in honor of longtime ASIS volunteer and Executive Director E.J. Criscuoli, Jr., CPP. During his tenure as Executive Director, his primary interest was to encourage members to volunteer at the chapter level, and he strongly believed that chapters were the vital link to a strong and successful organization. The award celebrates one individual who has exhibited selfless devotion at the volunteer level, emphasizing significant contributions at the chapter and regional levels over an extended period of time. 

Somers will be honored during the ASIS Awards of Excellence Celebration featuring the Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) on Sept. 13. 

About GardaWorld

GardaWorld is a global champion in security services, integrated risk management and cash solutions, employing more than 120,000 highly skilled and dedicated professionals. Driven by a relentless entrepreneurial culture and core values of integrity, vigilance, trust and respect, we offer sophisticated and tailored security and technology solutions through high-touch partnerships and consistently superior service delivery. With a deep understanding that security is critical to conducting business and keeping communities safe, we are proud to be the long-standing security partner of choice to prominent brands, Fortune 500 corporations and governments. GardaWorld is committed to impeccable governance, professional care, and the well-being of everyone. Thanks to a well-earned reputation, we are proud to be the long-standing security partner of choice to some of the most prominent brands, Fortune 500 corporations and governments.  For more information, visit https://www.garda.com.