The future leaders of the security profession

Each year, Security Director News takes time away from reporting the news and views of interest to the security professional, and reports on the security professionals themselves.

Our 20 Under 40 list, populated by security professionals under the age of 40, gives us the opportunity to reach out to our readers and ask them: Who are the young, up-and-coming security professionals being noticed? Who's exhibiting the characteristics that will make a future leader of the profession?

We were thrilled to receive more than 100 nominations for this year's list. Hard decisions were made, but we think we've highlighted 20 of the most distinguished security professionals in the business today who are under 40 years of age.

We have security professionals from such high-profile companies like Facebook, Chevron, FedEx Office, Ernst & Young, Thomson Reuters and Office Depot. We also have security professionals from the higher education (Georgetown University), healthcare (Alamance Regional Medical Center) and municipal (City of Toronto) sectors.

The list includes several former police officers, several ex-military personnel and a former FBI employee. However, the majority of the members on this list came up through the ranks of security professionals, from such humble beginnings as being a 17-year-old loss prevention associate at Kmart to having a summer job installing security camera systems. But through hard work, dedication, and a passion for the profession, these 20 individuals have risen up through the ranks and are being noticed. You may have heard of them. They sit on boards, chair committees, and champion causes. They may very well be the future leaders of the security profession.

Without further ado, I present Security Director News' 20 Under 40, Class of 2012, presented in alphabetical order by last name. (Note: Each name links to that individual's profile.)

Kevin Ach, Senior Director of Loss Prevention, International, Office Depot

Stuart Benson, Security Advisor, Corporate Security, City of Ottawa

Jason Carroll, Director of Public Safety, Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana

Josh Carver, Associate Director of Corporate Security, Shire Pharmaceutical

Katherine Chadwick Johnson, Senior Analyst, Global Security & Global Compliance, Harsco Corp.

Whit Chaiyabhat, Director of Emergency Management & Operational Continuity, Georgetown University

Christopher Chapeta, Physical Security Specialist, Chevron

Jeffrey Chulick, Director of Workplace & Enablement, Ernst & Young

Ray Cotton, Manager of Physical Security Operations, Facebook

Chris Cromer, Director of Security and Special Projects Lead, Old Dominion Security, serving Alamance Regional Medical Center

Brendan Fitzgerald, Manager of Special Investigations, BJ's Wholesale Club

Carlos Galvez Jr., Manager of Global Protective Services, Cisco Systems

Seth Mecum, District Office Security Manager, U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Nevada

Siomary Melendez, Global Security Manager, Thomson Reuters

Jeffrey Plouffe, Assistant Vice President, Security Specialist, First Niagara Bank

Jonathan Raecek, Managing Director, Security and Loss Prevention, FedEx Office

Michael Ramstack, Senior Security Manager, Covance Laboratories

Andrew Robinson, Supervisor of Buildings Security, City of Toronto

Rob Saxton, Security Technology Supervisor, FirstEnergy Corp.

Jason White, Director of  Safety & Security, Hershey Entertainment Complex