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U.S. Olympic Committees Buendorf to Receive Award at National Sports Security Conference

Wed, 06/21/2017 - 09:33am | By: Alison Crumpton

Larry Buendorf

Larry Buendorf, Chief Security Officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2017 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on July 11-13 in Orlando, Fla. The event is presented annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the long-term accomplishments and contributions of an individual who has earned the respect and admiration of professional colleagues in the sports safety and security community. The award was developed this year to commemorate exemplary talents and contributions demonstrated by an individual's dedication, loyalty, ability, and integrity.

Larry Buendorf has been the Chief Security Officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) since April 1993. Buendorf oversees all security needs for the USOC, including the headquarters building in Colorado Springs, Colo. and the two U.S. Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs and Lake Placid, N.Y. In addition, he is responsible for the security of U.S. delegations at USOC supported games, including Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, Parapan American, Youth Olympic Games and all other USOC functions.

“There is no better recipient in the United States to receive this recognition,” said NCS4 Director Lou Marciani. “Larry's long-term accomplishments serving the U.S. Olympic Committee has earned him the utmost respect and appreciation within the sports safety and security community.”

Buendorf arrived at the USOC after a distinguished career with the U.S. Secret Service. While working for the Secret Service, he was Special Agent in Charge of the protective division (1983-93), assigned to President Gerald and Mrs. Ford. Buendorf was also assigned as the Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service Omaha Field Office (1982-83). He as assigned to the Denver Field Office (1977-82) and the Presidential Protective Division (1972-77), during which time he provided protection to President's Nixon, Ford and Carter. He started his career with the Secret Service in the Chicago Field Office (1970-72).

“I've had the extraordinary honor of helping to protect everyone from the greatest athletes on the planet to the most powerful leader in the world,” said Buendorf. “I couldn't have dreamed to have lived this life and I'm grateful for the opportunities my work has afforded me. I genuinely appreciate the recognition of this award, but please know that the pleasure has been all mine.”

Past awards Buendorf has received include the U.S. Treasury Department Meritorious Service Award, as well as the U.S. Secret Service Valor Award for successfully thwarting the assassination attempt by Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme against President Ford in Sacramento, Calif., in September 1975. He also has been honored with a California Legislature resolution, the San Diego Crime Commission Valor Award and induction into the Minnesota Athletic Director's Hall of Fame.

Buendorf, who served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, received his bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University. He is a member of the International Association–Chiefs of Police; International Association of Police; International Security Management Association; American Society for Industrial Security; Overseas Security Advisory Council; Pikes Peak Law Enforcement Association and the Association of Former Agents–U.S. Secret Service.

For more information about National Conference, visit http://www.ncs4.com/conference and for more information about the awards visit https://www.ncs4.com/about/ncs4-recognition-awards.