Bill Zalud Memorial Award for Professional Excellence 2022 recipients announced

The International Foundation for Protection Officers and Security Magazine have announced the 2022 award recipients of the Bill Zalud Memorial Award for Professional Excellence. In 2017, the International Foundation for Protection Officers, in conjunction with Security Magazine, announced the Bill Zalud Memorial Award for Professional Excellence. The award recognises security professionals or organisations that have demonstrated professional excellence or outstanding service in the security profession.

2022 Bill Zalud Memorial Award recipients

Garry Bergin, PC; MSc; CSyP; CPP, CPOI, FSyl; F.ISRM

Garry Bergin PC; MSc; CSyP; CPP; CPOI; FSyI; F.ISRM is a highly qualified and experienced security professional, with over two decades of security operations management experience across a variety of security industry sectors where he has managed some of the largest multi-national security contracts in Ireland. Garry holds an MSc in Security Management and is currently studying towards a Professional Doctorate at the University of Portsmouth focusing on the development of training programs for the security industry internationally. He is a Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) and an ASIS Board Certified CPP.

A Peace Commissioner appointed by the Irish Minister for Justice and Equality, he is a Fellow of both the Security Institute and the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM) as well as an IFPO Certified Protection Officer Instructor CPOI. He is the current Vice-Chair of both ASIS Ireland Chapter and the ISRM Ireland Chapter. A Director, Board Member and Lecturer with the Security Institute of Ireland, Garry also serves as an Advisory Board Member to IFPO UK & Ireland. In 2021, Garry was ranked #11 by IFSEC in the Commercial Security (Thought Leader/ Academic/ Association Figure) category. Garry has also been selected as a judge for the Irish OSPAs for 2021/2022

Paul Kellett DSM, PC, MSc; CPP, CPOI

Paul Kellett DSM, PC, MSc; CPP, CPOI is a highly skilled and experienced security professional with over 33 years frontline uniformed service, including 15 years of strategic management experience in a leadership role. He also has 14 years military experience, during which he was decorated for bravery, awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) and the Spanish Cross of Naval Merit with White Distinction by the Spanish Ambassador to Ireland, on behalf of the King of Spain. He holds a MSc in Emergency Management from Dublin City University (DCU), ASIS Board Certified CPP and an IFPO Certified Protection Officer Instructor (CPOI).

Paul was appointed by the Irish Minister for Justice and Equality as a Peace Commissioner. He is the current Secretary of the ASIS Ireland Chapter, a Director and Lecturer with the Security Institute of Ireland and a Director of the Emergency Management Institute of Ireland (EMII). Paul also serves as an Advisory Board Member to IFPO UK & Ireland. Paul has also been selected as a judge for the Irish OSPAs for 2021/2022.

“The nominations submitted were all outstanding supporters of professional excellence,” Sandi Davies, Executive Director of the IFPO said. 

Award winners, Garry Bergin and Paul Kellett will be featured in an upcoming issue of Security Magazine. In addition, IFPO will host a special place for both professionals on the IFPO website as well as in the IFPO Digital Newsletter – IFPO INSIGHTS. Plaques designating this achievement will be presented along with a complimentary, three-year annual IFPO Corporate Membership.

Both Garry and Paul have been an exceptional resource of professional development for employees and candidates in their region. Over the last year, both gentlemen have made available IFPO and various other educational programs to their officers.

Plans are already underway for the 6th Annual Bill Zalud Memorial Award for Professional Excellence. Nomination applications will be available on the IFPO website by 1 March, 2022. Deadline for applications will be 31 October, 2022.

“We are very proud to have had Bill serve on the IFPO Board of Directors for more than a decade,” Davies said.

“His long and outstanding service to our organisation made a significant difference. Bill gave strategic direction and vision to the Foundation. As an industry insider, his leadership was instrumental in making the foundation the success it is today.”

Mike Hurst CPP CPOI, Director of IFPO UK and Ireland and a member of the IFPO Board of Directors commented that: “Both Garry and Paul have made a massive contribution to professional excellence in security in Ireland and the UK through their dedicated volunteer leadership across a range of associations and professional bodies. They are valued members of the IFPO UK & Ireland Advisory Board and have been instrumental in the successes we have achieved.”