Fenton Receives Award at National Security Conference

Richard Fenton, vice president of Corporate Security and Parking Services, Ilitch Holdings, was presented the Distinguished Leadership Award during the 2014 National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition July 8-10 in Indianapolis.

Sponsored by ASSA ABLOY, the 2014 Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes a professional in the field whose career includes multiple achievements and contributions with respect to sport safety and security. To warrant this prestigious honor, the recipient's service, commitment, ingenuity and integrity must have elevated the profession to new levels. 

Fenton served more than 27 years with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department in Detroit and retired in 2000 as Executive Commander. He had a strong influence in safety and security planning for the state, having served on the State of Michigan Fusion Center (MIOC) Advisory Board, the Michigan Infrastructure Coordinating Committee and the Detroit Southeastern Michigan Intelligence Information Center (DSEMIIC) Advisory Board.

He presently oversees all corporate security and safety functions across all of the Ilitch companies, which include the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. Fenton has been very active with both Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League in setting safety and security standards. He has lead public safety/private security planning committees for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, NFL Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four.

“Fenton has been at the forefront of integrating new security technologies and operating procedures in the security realm, and has been instrumental in partnering with public and private law enforcement and security agencies to significantly enhance the safety and security for the Ilitch companies,” said NCS4 Director Lou Marciani.  

His commitment to the profession extends to the academic world, where he has been an adjunct professor at Eastern Michigan University for 18 years, teaching in its Interdisciplinary Technology Department and School of Police Staff and Command.  He has also been a guest instructor at Northwestern University Traffic Institute/School of Police Staff and Command as well as the FBI National Academy.

Currently, Fenton chairs the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security National Advisory Board.  He is a participant on a number of Department of Homeland Security “working groups” focused on developing best practice standards for various aspects of professional sport venue/facility security including screening, staff background investigations and Safety Act compliance. He has played a key role in the development of the new professional certification, Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP).

For more information about NCS4, call 601.266.6183 or visit www.NCS4.com/conference.