Written by Carly Kester
Craig Russell, director of Public Safety, was appointed regional vice president of the American Society for Industrial Security International, or ASIS, the world’s largest professional security organization.
Russell’s qualifications include having served in the Arkansas chapter of ASIS International as treasurer, vice chairman, chairman and assistant regional vice president.
He has also worked for Harding University Public Safety for more than 20 years and is a member of International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, or IACLEA.
“The current regional vice president recommended me for the job,” Russell said. “For me, it was an honor he did that.”
Some of Russell’s duties will include acting as a liaison between the international headquarters and individual chapters, running a leadership training seminar for newly elected chapter officers, and making sure individual chapters get important documents turned in to the international office.
Other duties will be to make sure new chapter leaders understand their responsibilities, periodically visit other chapter meetings and provide information when possible.
“One reason I was so excited about having this job is because I like to be well informed and connected to other people,” Russell said.
Russell said that he holds ASIS International in high regard because of their safety seminars, exhibits and conferences, which usually have thousands of attendants.
“I’ve learned a lot from the conferences and from people in other chapters,” Russell said. “It’s a way for me to stay on top of the security industry.”
Russell starts his new position Jan. 1, 2010, and will be serving for one year. His past experience with public safety will aid him on his new job.
“My job at Public Safety and my membership for IACLEA are both volunteer positions,” Russell said. “I’ve received a lot from them, and I want to do as much as I can to give back what they’ve done for me.”
