Kevin Ward
Middletown,Ohio
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in asset protection and incident investigation. Skilled in optimizing security processes and developing risk mitigation strategies that significantly reduce operational vulnerabilities and enhance organizational resilience.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Field Safe and Secure Manager
Carvana
Trenton, OH
09.2024 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership for the Safe & Secure function, overseeing team development, operational alignment, and resource planning to support facility safety and security objectives.
- Serve as a key business partner to facility and market leadership, guiding risk mitigation efforts, organizational preparedness, and enterprise safety program integration.
- Oversee critical inventory security processes, ensuring accurate vehicle tracking, effective exception management, and coordinated responses to theft, fraud, and loss events.
- Ensure robust physical security and access control systems, optimizing technology, vendor performance, and infrastructure to maintain a secure and efficient operating environment.
- Drive continuous improvement in safety performance, leading assessments, training initiatives, compliance activities, and cross-functional efforts that strengthen culture, reduce risk, and enhance operational resilience.
Risk and Compliance Manager
IKEA
Cincinnati, OH
05.2022 - 06.2024
- Developed and implemented comprehensive risk and compliance policies to reduce operational exposure and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements.
- Conducted enterprise risk assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and delivering actionable recommendations to leadership to strengthen control environments.
- Led training and capability-building initiatives for managers and associates, improving organizational understanding of compliance expectations and risk-mitigation best practices.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to design and deploy risk-awareness programs, communication strategies, and process enhancements.
- Directed a service office team to support the development of new risk managers and improve exception-based reporting frameworks.
Area Asset Protection Manager
Nordstrom
Cincinnati, Ohio
12.2019 - 05.2022
- Lead asset protection operations by developing security strategies, training and managing AP teams, and ensuring compliance with company safety and security protocols.
- Conduct audits, investigations, and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities, address incidents such as theft or fraud, and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborate with store leadership and cross-functional partners to resolve safety concerns, enhance emergency preparedness, and maintain a secure environment for employees and customers.
- Oversee physical security systems and technology, ensuring proper functionality and leveraging industry advancements to strengthen protective measures.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with law enforcement and external partners to support investigations, emergency response, and overall loss-prevention efforts.
Regional Loss Prevention Manager
Family Dollar
Columbus, Ohio
07.2017 - 09.2019
- Led regional asset protection strategy across 220 stores, ensuring consistent execution of loss-prevention programs and compliance initiatives.
- Oversaw operational audits and risk assessments, including cash controls, physical security, and regulatory compliance to identify gaps and drive corrective action.
- Developed and coached store and district leadership, delivering training and presentations to strengthen shrink reduction and operational effectiveness.
- Managed and developed a regional AP team, overseeing hiring, performance management, scheduling, and overall talent growth.
- Directed investigations into theft, fraud, and policy violations, conducting interviews and partnering with leadership to resolve cases and mitigate future risk.
Education
Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ06-2014
Skills
- Risk management
- Compliance oversight
- Strategic leadership
- Incident investigation
- Security auditing
- Asset protection
Certification
Wicklander-Zulawski Interview and Interrogations
Timeline
Field Safe and Secure Manager
Carvana
09.2024 - Current
Risk and Compliance Manager
IKEA
05.2022 - 06.2024
Area Asset Protection Manager
Nordstrom
12.2019 - 05.2022
Regional Loss Prevention Manager
Family Dollar
07.2017 - 09.2019
Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
University of Phoenix