Christa Decker, vice president of the Protective Design Group at Whitman, Requardt & Associates (WRA), leads WRA’s Protective Design Group and has been providing protective design services for government studies, design projects and Title II efforts involving perimeter and building security countermeasures for almost 20 years. She has successfully completed a wide variety of engineering projects, including the design of new vehicle control points for government installations; selection and specification of active and passive vehicle barriers, perimeter fences, perimeter intrusion detection systems; and interior building modifications for the installation interior guard posts and personnel access control. Decker has contributed to the development of feasibility studies and design projects for new and renovated federal facilities and campuses that must be brought into compliance with the most robust federal criteria to improve protection for federal/U.S. Department of Defense personnel and critical assets from a full range of terrorist threats.

Amy Dunton is a seasoned business development professional with over 25 years of experience in the critical infrastructure industry. Specializing in building strategic relationships and driving business growth, she combines a deep understanding of both physical and network security with expertise in structured cabling, power/cooling systems, connectivity, IT infrastructure, and data center operations. Throughout her career, Dunton has held key roles across distribution, manufacturing and enterprise IT solutions, giving her a well-rounded, cross-disciplinary perspective on the intersection of technology and security. Her comprehensive knowledge spans facilities, data centers and IT infrastructure, with a focus on creating collaborative, future-focused strategies to design, build and secure critical assets in an increasingly interconnected world. Dunton is committed to advancing the industry through active leadership; she serves as co-chair of the SIA Perimeter Security Subcommittee, serves on the boards of the AFCOM Greater Minnesota Chapter and the 7×24 Exchange Minnesota Chapter and has contributed her expertise as a board member of the Minnesota ASIS Chapter.

Ret. General William J. Walker brings over 30 years of distinguished service in security, law enforcement, and military leadership to his current role as vice president and corporate security director, enterprise accounts at Allied Universal Security Services.

Walker was a special agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and served as the 38th Sergeant At Arms, U.S. House of Representatives, 117th Congress. As a former DEA Criminal Investigator and deputy assistant administrator, Walker has expertise spanning national and international investigative operations, intelligence analysis and regulatory compliance. With promotions to the Senior Executive Service and appointment as a senior national intelligence service officer by the director of national intelligence, he has held positions of increasing responsibility and significance.

Previously, Walker served as the 23rd commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, overseeing Army and Air National Guard operations and providing military support to civilian authorities. A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Walker is skilled in uncovering fraud and insider threats.

Walker earned master’s degrees from Chicago State University, National Intelligence University and American University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. He completed the Executive Leaders Program at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security and national security programs at the George Washington University, Harvard University and Syracuse University.

Walker is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology international relations fellow, a National Academy of Public Administration fellow and a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also a life member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, reflecting his commitment to excellence in security and public service.

Rachelle Loyear is vice president of integrated security solutions at Allied Universal, where she leads the enterprise security risk management (ESRM) approach to helping organizations design and implement risk-based security programs. Her work focuses on aligning people, processes and technology to reduce risk in a way that supports business priorities.

Loyear has spent her career building and leading security and resilience programs across corporate environments, with a focus on integrating physical and cyber risk into a single, business-aligned strategy. She is the author of ESRM in the Real World: A Field Guide for Security Leaders Who Get Things Done, which translates ESRM concepts into practical application for today’s security leaders. Her earlier works include The Manager’s Guide to Enterprise Security Risk Management, The Manager’s Guide to Simple, Strategic, Service-Oriented Business Continuity and Enterprise Security Risk Management: Concepts and Applications.

Loyear serves on the ASIS International North American Board of Directors and previously chaired the ESRM Community. She holds certifications including CISM, MBCP and PMP.

Bill Eckard is a recognized thought leader in the physical security and public safety sector, bringing more than two decades of experience challenging how organizations approach risk across critical infrastructure, federal agencies and complex enterprise environments. As senior director at Octave, he leads strategic initiatives across the Americas focused on redefining perimeter security and advancing next-generation operational models.

Eckard is known for pushing the industry beyond traditional, reactive security frameworks—advocating for a shift toward intelligence-led, real-time awareness. His work centers on closing the gaps organizations don’t see: the spaces between cameras, the moments between alerts and the risks that develop outside the frame. By integrating advanced sensing technologies—including LiDAR, artificial intelligence-driven video and intelligent analytics—with immersive digital twin environments, he enables organizations to move from detection to true understanding and proactive response.

Operating at the intersection of strategy, technology and mission execution, Eckard has built a reputation for translating complex, emerging capabilities into practical, high-impact outcomes. He serves as a trusted advisor to leaders across federal, defense, campus and public safety sectors, helping them rethink how to identify, track and respond to threats before they escalate.

A sought-after speaker and industry voice, Eckard continues to shape the conversation around the future of security—driving a shift toward predictive awareness, perimeter intelligence and spatially driven decision-making. His perspective challenges a fundamental assumption in the industry: that coverage equals visibility—and makes the case for a new standard in how we secure what matters most.

Sunil Mudholkar is a visionary product leader and architect of next-generation security interfaces, with nearly 20 years of experience shaping how operators engage with complex physical security environments. As vice president of product for physical security in Octave/Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial Division, he leads the global product organization responsible for strategy, roadmap and innovation across advanced security platforms.

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Mudholkar is recognized for reimagining the operator experience—evolving traditional, system-centric interfaces into intuitive, data-driven environments that enable faster understanding and more effective decision making. His work sits at the convergence of visualization, user experience and intelligent systems, advancing next-generation command-and-control capabilities through digital twins, integrated analytics and immersive interfaces.

A forward-thinking voice in the industry, Mudholkar continues to influence the direction of modern security platforms—driving innovation at the intersection of product design, human-centered interfaces and intelligent security ecosystems.

Gerald Becker is a highly accomplished and visionary leader in the physical security industry, with over 21 years of experience. Currently serving as the vice president of market development and alliances at Quanergy Solutions, Becker brings a wealth of expertise and a strategic mindset to drive innovation and growth.

With senior positions at SAFR by RealNetworks, N3N (a Cisco-backed startup) and a leading national systems integrations firm, Becker has consistently made significant contributions to the industry. His deep understanding of emerging technologies and market dynamics has allowed him to successfully develop and implement cutting-edge security solutions. With his exceptional leadership, strategic vision and deep industry knowledge, Becker continues to shape the future of physical security, driving technological advancements and making a lasting impact on organizations and communities worldwide.

Xander Alexander believes that one of the biggest risks in modern security is not a new exploit, it is the gap between complex technical realities and human understanding. With more than two decades of experience, he has built a career on making the technical personal, turning high stakes complexity into narratives and systems that practitioners can trust and implement.

Alexander’s journey through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of State and global financial institutions taught him that technical excellence is meaningless without adoption. That philosophy guided his work at Google, where he led Android Enterprise enablement and redefined how technical requirements were communicated. By shifting the focus to strategic content and live demo programs, he drove a 3,500 percent increase in stakeholder engagement.

Now, as a Technical Evangelist at Motorola Solutions, Alexander supports the Pelco video security portfolio and serves as a mentor to the video security community. He helps organizations move beyond buying boxes to build resilient, operational environments. Working at the intersection of cybersecurity, IT, operational technology and physical security, he teaches teams how to navigate legacy constraints and evolving threats and still achieve sustainable business outcomes.

Known for clear, high-energy and practical talks, Alexander connects real world constraints to tangible decisions and leaves practitioners with stories, questions and playbooks they can use immediately, building believers, not awareness.

Rob Millar is a seasoned subject matter expert in advanced sensing technologies, bringing more than 15 years of experience in the design, application and deployment of thermal imaging and radar-based systems for threat detection and identification. His expertise spans thermal cameras, FLIR radar system design engineering and multisensor integration—enabling long-range situational awareness across complex and high-risk environments. With over seven years at FLIR Systems, Millar has established himself as a trusted advisor to state, local, and federal government organizations—designing resilient, high-performance surveillance solutions that operate effectively in the most challenging conditions.

Millar is widely recognized for engineering 6 “zero-blind-spot” perimeter protection strategies, integrating thermal imaging, radar, visible spectrum cameras, and video management systems into cohesive, layered security architectures. His work emphasizes extended-range detection, recognition and tracking—ensuring that potential threats are identified early and with clarity, even in degraded visibility environments.

Millar’s deep technical expertise in both thermal and radar system design, combined with a strong understanding of operational requirements, enables him to translate advanced sensing capabilities into actionable intelligence for security operators. In his role, Millar leads sales operations for thermal, radar, visible, and integrated video solutions across the east coast of the United States, while continuing to support mission-critical deployments and guide organizations toward more effective, intelligence-driven perimeter security strategies.

Detective Gregg Pingitore is an 18-year veteran of the New York City Police Department and has been assigned since 2014 to the Counterterrorism Division’s Threat Reduction & Infrastructure Protection Section. He specializes in conducting risk and vulnerability assessments and developing comprehensive protective strategies for critical infrastructure throughout New York City.

In his current role, Pingitore collaborates closely with city agencies, developers, architects and engineers to integrate security measures into major construction and capital projects. He also supports the planning and execution of security operations for large-scale events and high-profile sites.

Pingitore’s experience spans a diverse range of sectors, including commercial high-rise buildings, government facilities, health care institutions and public venues. He has contributed to the security planning and design of some of New York City’s most significant projects, including the World Trade Center campus, the United Nations Capital Master Plan, Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and the New York City Football Club stadium.

Herb Ubbens has spent the last 30 years in security, safety, emergency preparedness and risk management developing and leading teams in the protection of critical infrastructure. He holds certifications in security management (CPP) and physical security (PSP) is a Florida Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Practitioner (FCP) and serves as an assessor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Best Practices for Anti-terrorism Security (BPATS).

Ubbens has held positions as a former director of security and life safety, chief security officer, risk manager and now president of Paratus Consultants Group, LLC. He serves as the commercial facilities sector chief for InfraGard of Eastern North Carolina, chair for the Commercial Real Estate Community of ASIS International, chair of the Security Industry Association Perimeter Security Subcommittee’s Temporary Barrier Working Group and a member of the Physical Security Working group for the New York City Police Department’s SHIELD.

A CPTED practitioner for more that 25 years, Ubbens incorporates CPTED principles as part of his overall security thought process and designs.

Melissa Dominguez is the founder of Dominguez Urban Strategies, a consultancy advancing safety-driven urban design through crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). She works at the intersection of landscape architecture, public safety and development, helping cities and developers move from reactive security measures to proactive environmental strategy.

Dominguez’s firm partners with designers, public safety professionals, municipal leaders, and property owners to reduce crime risk, strengthen community trust and protect long-term asset value. Her work is grounded in the belief that safety is infrastructure, and that well-designed environments are essential to resilient, thriving communities.

Joelle Hushen is the founder and president of the National Institute of Crime Prevention (NICP) and co-founder of the U.S. CPTED Association (USCA), where she supports the advancement of crime prevention through environmental design through training, certification and professional collaboration. Her work focuses on how environments influence human behavior, safety and well-being.

Before entering the CPTED field, Hushen spent a decade as a scientific research manager at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, leading NASA- and National Institutes of Health-funded research in biotechnology and neuroregenerative therapies. That experience continues to shape her systems-based, evidence-informed approach to the built environment.

For more than two decades, Hushen has worked with professionals across public safety, planning, architecture, security and community development to apply CPTED principles in a wide range of settings. Through NICP’s CPTED Professional Designation (CPD) and national training programs, she has supported thousands of practitioners in understanding the relationship between design, behavior and safety.

Hushen’s work emphasizes practical application of CPTED principles while reinforcing the importance of collaboration across disciplines to create safer, more resilient communities.

Cathy McHugh has held various marketing and sales roles in the security industry for the past 20 years, always working with security systems manufacturers. In her role at CIAS, she is expanding the North American footprint for CIAS perimeter security technologies, working with integrators, consultants and final customers. McHugh understands the complexities around securing large sites with varying technologies and the challenges security managers face, not only in securing the perimeter, but also in ensuring various technologies work together. Her previous roles have included global marketing director for Senstar Corporation, DVTEL (now FLIR Technologies) and PROTECH.

Nicole Palumbo is a seasoned security industry executive with extensive experience in strategic partnerships, sales leadership and business growth across technology and enterprise markets. She currently serves as chief operating officer of Magos, where she previously held the role of director of strategic partnerships, working with integrators and end users across critical infrastructure to help organizations leverage advanced detection and sensor technologies.

Palumbo began her security career at DVTEL (acquired by FLIR), progressing from sales operations to a key role on the customer-facing sales team. She went on to lead the sales division at FST Biometrics and managed enterprise accounts at AMAG Technology before joining Magos. Palumbo is recognized within the Security Industry Association’s RISE community for her leadership and contributions to the industry.

Matt Beausoleil is a systems engineer and outdoor lighting specialist. He is also a licensed general contractor with Beau Building, LLC GC License# 87162, is NASCLA certified and a graduate of The Citadel Military College, where he served as a Combat Engineer in the United States Army for six years.

CAST specializes in the research, innovation and manufacturing of low-voltage outdoor LED lighting solutions with manufacturing facilities in Hawthorne, New Jersey. The company works globally in “lighting up” the perimeter when intrusions occur to deter further action by adversaries.

Aryn Vastola is a seasoned business leader with 18+ years of experience and is passionate about driving growth, fostering innovation and leading high-performing teams. His career is marked by a consistent track record of exceeding sales targets, delivering strategic initiatives and spearheading digital transformation projects. Vastola thrives in dynamic environments, where collaboration and data-driven decision making are the keys to success.

David Fortune is an accomplished leader in physical security and data center operations, with extensive experience delivering innovative solutions across global, mission-critical environments. He has built his career around designing and implementing scalable security programs, driving technology innovation and leading cross-functional teams through complex deployments.

With over a decade of expertise has also overseen large-scale data center buildouts, creating global standards for technology integration, network delivery and operational excellence, Fortune’s work has consistently reduced costs, improved reliability, and accelerated delivery timelines—while ensuring that security systems evolve in step with customer and business priorities. He has also directed the development of cutting-edge security products, from artificial intelligence-driven monitoring systems to mobile solutions for high-risk environments.

Fortune is recognized for his ability to communicate complex technical challenges with clarity, bridging the gap between engineering, operations and executive stakeholders. He holds a PMP and a bachelor’s degree in business economics. As a speaker, Fortune brings practical insights into the future of data center security, helping organizations reimagine how security enables resilience and growth in the digital age.

Christa Decker, vice president of the Protective Design Group at Whitman, Requardt & Associates (WRA), leads WRA’s Protective Design Group and has been providing protective design services for government studies, design projects and Title II efforts involving perimeter and building security countermeasures for almost 20 years. She has successfully completed a wide variety of engineering projects, including the design of new vehicle control points for government installations; selection and specification of active and passive vehicle barriers, perimeter fences, perimeter intrusion detection systems; and interior building modifications for the installation interior guard posts and personnel access control. Decker has contributed to the development of feasibility studies and design projects for new and renovated federal facilities and campuses that must be brought into compliance with the most robust federal criteria to improve protection for federal/U.S. Department of Defense personnel and critical assets from a full range of terrorist threats.

Amy Dunton is a seasoned business development professional with over 25 years of experience in the critical infrastructure industry. Specializing in building strategic relationships and driving business growth, she combines a deep understanding of both physical and network security with expertise in structured cabling, power/cooling systems, connectivity, IT infrastructure, and data center operations. Throughout her career, Dunton has held key roles across distribution, manufacturing and enterprise IT solutions, giving her a well-rounded, cross-disciplinary perspective on the intersection of technology and security. Her comprehensive knowledge spans facilities, data centers and IT infrastructure, with a focus on creating collaborative, future-focused strategies to design, build and secure critical assets in an increasingly interconnected world. Dunton is committed to advancing the industry through active leadership; she serves as co-chair of the SIA Perimeter Security Subcommittee, serves on the boards of the AFCOM Greater Minnesota Chapter and the 7×24 Exchange Minnesota Chapter and has contributed her expertise as a board member of the Minnesota ASIS Chapter.