January 7, 2013
Contact: Chrissa Benson

For Immediate Release
(703) 600-2032; chrissa.benson@rila.org
 

LaBruno to Lead RILA’s Retail Operations Efforts,
Gasse Joins as Asset Protection Director
 

Arlington, VA - The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced today that Garth Gasse has joined the association as Director of Retail Operations, Asset Protection and Lisa LaBruno has been promoted to Senior Vice President for Retail Operations.

Lisa LaBruno joined RILA in 2010 as Vice President for Loss Prevention and Legal Affairs. In her new capacity, LaBruno will oversee RILA’s operational efforts, which bring together executives from across the retail enterprise, including supply chain and asset protection, to address challenges and advance the retail industry. LaBruno will also play a major role in the planning of RILA’s educational and networking conferences. She will report to Jenny Keehan, RILA’s executive vice president for member services.

Proir to joining RILA, LaBruno served for eight years as senior in-house attorney at The Home Depot. At The Home Depot, LaBruno also served as the primary legal adviser in matters related to criminal and unethical conduct by employees, customers and suppliers. She provided day-to-day guidance to field operations, and designed, developed and wrote loss prevention standard operating procedures and training materials.

Prior to The Home Depot, LaBruno was a corporate litigation attorney at the Archdiocese of Newark (New Jersey), Assistant Prosecutor in the Hudson County (New Jersey) Prosecutor’s Office and Associate Attorney at Hannoch Weisman. Lisa also served as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University.

“Lisa’s experience and deep understanding of the challenges that retailers face make her uniquely suited to providing our members with the resources and support they expect from RILA,” said RILA President Sandy Kennedy.

Garth Gasse joins RILA following 14 years with Toys R Us/Babies R Us, most recently as Regional Asset Protection Manager. In his new role Gasse will work with loss prevention executives from across the retail industry to identify common challenges and leading practices. Gasse will report to Lisa LaBruno.

A 25 year retail veteran, Gasse has served in a variety of positions within the Toys R Us and Babies R Us overseeing loss prevention activities at stores throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic region. While with the company, his districts of responsibility were continually placed in the top 10 shrink results by posting below 1% each year. Prior to joining Toys R Us/Babies R Us, Gasse worked as a Security Investigator for Victoria’s Secret Stores and was the Regional Loss Prevention Representative for CVS Pharmacy.

“Garth’s prior work with issues, such as organized retail crime, combined with his wide range of experience in loss prevention within the retail sector make him a great fit for our organization,” said Kennedy. “Loss prevention is critically important to our members and we are delighted to expand the resources and expertise available to them in this area.”

Gasse officially joined RILA on January 2.