The Nominations are in

HERE ARE YOUR 2026 FMI AP RISING STAR FINALIStS!

Join us LIVE in Austin Texas at the FMI Asset Protection & Grocery Resilience Conference
for the official announcement of the Winner (....or Winners?? - stay tuned to find out!)
May 12-15, 2026

A little more about this year's exceptional finalists...

 FINALIST:  Kathleen Mathie - Hy-Vee Inc.

Kathleen Mathie
Director, Investigations Division, Enterprise Security Department
Hy-Vee Inc.
Here is what people are saying about Kathleen: 
Kathleen Mathie is a Director of Loss Prevention with over 14 years of dedicated service in the asset protection field. Kathleen exemplifies what it means to be a rising force in the loss prevention industry; not simply through tenure, but through her consistent drive to grow, lead, and deliver results.

Kathleen goes well beyond the traditional expectations of her role to protect and add value to the organization. This year, she successfully oversaw the rollout of Everseen technology within her territory; a complex, cross-functional initiative requiring careful coordination, stakeholder communication, and operational execution. Her leadership ensured a smooth implementation that positions her stores at the forefront of technology-driven loss prevention. Kathleen consistently delivers high-quality in her work, producing accurate, thorough, and professional results while proactively identifying opportunities to add value for customers, teammates, and the broader organization.

Kathleen is a servant leader in the deepest sense. She leads her team of regional investigators with clarity, empathy, and purpose. Kathleen provides constructive feedback and guidance that supports individual growth and development. She communicates with consistency and respect, navigating even the most challenging conversations with composure and professionalism. Her relationship-building skills are among her most distinguishing qualities. Kathleen fosters collaboration and trust across her stores and region, promoting an inclusive environment where team members feel empowered to take ownership of their work. She recognizes and celebrates the contributions of others, cultivating a culture where people feel valued. Kathleen's dedication to protecting company profits is demonstrated through tangible, results-driven initiatives.

This year, she proactively addressed cash loss exposure by designing and conducting cash accountability training across the stores in her region — resulting in a 34% reduction in cash shortages year-to-date. Her hands-on approach to training reflects both a deep understanding of where shrink occurs and a commitment to equipping store teams with the tools they need to prevent it. Beyond cash loss, Kathleen has worked to establish a shrink mindset across her stores. Shrink in Kathleen's region has declined by 64% over the last 12 months, a remarkable achievement that reflects the effectiveness of her strategies and the commitment of her team.

Kathleen Mathie is exactly the kind of professional the FMI AP Rising Star award was created to recognize. She leads with integrity, delivers with excellence, and invests deeply in the people and organizations she serves.

finalist:   Dan Lucas - Brookshire Grocery Company

Dan Lucas
Asset Protection & Safety Specialist
Brookshire Grocery Company
Here is what people are saying about Dan: 
Dan Lucas exemplifies servant leadership and operational excellence within the asset protection profession. His influence extends well beyond traditional casework, making him a trusted advisor, mentor, and catalyst for meaningful change across Brookshire Grocery Company.

What sets Dan apart is the operational credibility he brings to his work. Though he has only three years in Asset Protection, he brings more than 30 years of grocery experience, including roles as a Meat Manager and Center Store Specialist. He understands the realities of labor, margin, shrink drivers, and process friction, allowing him to see beyond surface explanations and advocate for practical, sustainable solutions. He shares his expertise generously through one on one mentoring and group engagement.

Dan's leadership during the rollout of BGC’s new POS system is a recent example: he proactively learned the system, partnered with subject matter experts, and translated complex operational and technical details into clear guidance for fellow Asset Protection & Safety Specialists. His willingness to learn first and teach others reflects true servant leadership. In a rapidly changing retail environment, Dan represents the future of the asset protection profession, combining investigative excellence, operational fluency, and people first leadership.

Dan's impact strengthens teams, improves processes, and safeguards both assets and trust. He is a highly deserving nominee for the FMI AP Rising Star Award.

FINALIST:  Robert Bohen - Amazon Worldwide Grocery

Robert Bohen
Sr. Region Asset Protection Mgr.
Amazon Worldwide Grocery
Here is what people are saying about Robert: 
Robert Bohen stands out as a rising star through his ability to deliver exceptional operational results while driving meaningful, enterprise-wide impact. His 2025 performance reflects a rare combination of execution excellence, strategic thinking, and leadership potential. Robert delivered outstanding operational results, maintaining team awareness metrics above 95% and achieving 96.1% safety footwear compliance. His disciplined approach led to a 31.7% reduction in workplace injury rates (YTD: 4.35) and a 51.6% improvement in general liability incidents—clear evidence of his ability to translate strategy into sustained, measurable performance gains.

Beyond his core role, Robert has become a trusted contributor to enterprise initiatives, supporting cross-functional task forces, operational committees, and culture-focused programs across multiple regions. His ability to balance these responsibilities while maintaining top-tier performance highlights his capacity and leadership readiness. He further distinguished himself by building strategic partnerships with the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and Police Department, leading an undercover operation across four high-risk locations that directly disrupted organized retail crime. This initiative protected associates, reduced risk, and strengthened the company's role as a proactive community partner.

Robert consistently delivers results while elevating those around him and strengthening the organization as a whole. His performance demonstrates not only what he has accomplished, but his clear readiness for expanded leadership—making him an outstanding candidate for the AP Rising Star Award.

FINALIST:  BRAD ZARETSKY - Amazon Worldwide Grocery

Brad Zaretsky
Region Asset Protection Mgr.
Amazon Worldwide Grocery
Here is what people are saying about Brad: 
Brad Zaretsky distinguishes himself as a rising star through his ability to solve complex, high-impact problems while elevating performance across the organization. His 2025 performance reflects a powerful combination of execution excellence, strategic thinking, and leadership potential. Brad delivered exceptional results across multiple operational areas, most notably leading and closing the largest Organized Retail Crime (ORC) case in WFM history—an exceptionally complex, high-stakes investigation requiring strategic coordination and disciplined execution.

Brad also led WFM in total investigation closures for 2025, underscoring his productivity and commitment to resolving cases thoroughly and efficiently. Beyond his core responsibilities, Brad is widely relied upon as a trusted resource across the AP organization.

Brad actively partners with AP and OA leadership on key initiatives and consistently supports other markets with ORC investigations, demonstrating a strong team-first mindset and enterprise perspective.