Erik Hoffer

Erik Hoffer is an inventor, entrepreneur, recognized expert and thought leader in the field of transportation and cargo security. He began his career in cargo security while serving in the U.S. military, receiving training and experience while conducting port and logistics operations in Viet Nam. Today, he remains active in the field of military logistics security as a member of the U.S. Navy’s Lock and Seal engineering group, developing new approaches and technologies to enhance cargo security devices and handling operations. In this role, he maintains an active security clearance with the U.S. Department of Defense, and consults regularly with the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S.Department of State, and public and private sector clients on a variety of air, sea and truck transportation security issues.

As an educator, and while Chairman of the International Cargo Security Council’s (ISCS) seminar committee, Erik developed the Master’s program in cargo security for the Merchant Marine Academy’s Global Maritime and Transportation School (GMATS).

In demand as a teacher, and also a highly regarded public speaker, Erik is a frequent presenter on cargo security at seminars, conferences, and other events, and is a former Chairman of educational events for the ICSC. Erik has authored many white papers on the topics of cargo security and best logistical practices, and is a contributor to industry groups and trade publications including Air Cargo World, the American Trucking Association, Transport Topics, and Logistics Management. Most recently he has written a chapter on air cargo security for Professor Andrew Thomas’ new book, Aviation Security Management, to be published in October, 2008.

An innovative inventor and successful entrepreneur, Erik has created over twenty original product technologies in and around cargo security and authenticity, and holds many patents. He founded CGM Security Solutions in 1977 to manufacture and market his patented technologies in barrier and indicative sealing devices. He sold the company to publicly-held Allied Security Innovations in 2005. It now trades under the name CGM Applied Security Technology and offers locks, tapes, seals and other security devices to avariety of industries. After a brief retirement, and unable to harness his creative energy, Erik started a new company based in Florida to develop and manufacture newly patented anti-theft devices for trucks and trailers, including the category-leading TS4A Air BrakeSecurity Lock. He remains active in security industry affairs and private consulting.

Walt Beadling

Walt Beadling is an information technology industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing industries and application expertise in ERP/MRP, manufacturing execution (MES) and supply chain management (SCM) systems.  He is now the Managing Partner of Cayuga Partners LLC, a firm specializing in Supply Chain Risk Evaluation and Management.  

Starting his career in sales with IBM, Walt sold small, mid-range and mainframe systems to a diverse base of new and existing customers, specializing in the manufacturing industries and competitive “win-backs”.

After 18 years at IBM, Walt joined Chesapeake Decision Sciences, a pioneer in Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) systems, where he assumed responsibility for global sales and marketing, and helped establish Chesapeake as a leader in the emerging supply chain planning market.  Under his leadership, sales grew over six-fold in four years, with enviable profit margins and a long list of satisfied, blue chip customers.

With the acquisition of Chesapeake by Aspen Technology, Walt was named Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the newly-formed Supply Chain Division.  Walt grew and managed the supply chain sales organization while successfully meeting, and exceeding, ambitious growth targets for the new business unit.  He then assumed responsibility for developing and managing a global network of business partners to support AspenTech’s supply chain and manufacturing businesses.  In this role, he established strategic, worldwide marketing and solution delivery alliances with PwC, IBM and Accenture

In 2002 Walt founded Cayuga Partners LLC with Dr. Jack Muckstadt of Cornell University.  Cayuga Partners provides consulting services, education and advanced technology to help clients plan, manage and optimize manufacturing and supply chain operations.  Cayuga Partners’ offerings include simulation-based learning courses, advanced supply chain planning models and innovative tools to analyze and control complex manufacturing processes, with special expertise in the use of geometric modeling and the use of stochastic programming techniques to explicitly consider uncertainty in decision-making.

Cayuga Partners are currently developing a suite of Supply Chain Risk Assessment Models, providing solutions for manufacturing Process Alarm Rationalization and Management, and consulting with transportation industry clients in the area of supply chain security and risk management.

Cayuga Partners’ clients include Accenture, Amazon.com, Aspen Technology, Bearing Point, CGM Security Solutions, ConocoPhillips, the Department of Homeland Security (TSA), Infineum, International Flavors & Fragrances, Nissan, Philip Morris, Roche, Sunoco, United Rentals, the U.S. Air Force and the Weill Cornell Medical College.

Contact Walt at: walt@cayugapartners.com

Jim Burger

As the founder and innovating principal of Burger Consulting, Jim Burger is a loss prevention industry expert in all aspects of loss prevention, safety, security and asset protection.  For over 30 years Jim commanded the loss prevention efforts at high-end specialty retailers such as Tiffany & Company and Saks Fifth Avenue; accruing first hand experience and honing his expertise.  Jim is a forward thinking pioneer – having implemented the first Electronic Article Surveillance Source Tagging program in the specialty apparel retail market during his tenure as Vice President of Loss Prevention at J.Crew.

Burger Consulting specializes in retail, e-commerce, distribution, logistics, and commercial and residential property; focusing on the elements of: physical security, investigation, policy and procedures, safety and risk management, education and awareness - all leading to increased profitability and reduction in controllable losses.

The Burger Consulting philosophy includes enlisting associates within an organization to understand the role of business practices and loss prevention within their everyday scope of responsibility.  Jim believes that strong effective management is the key to a successful loss prevention and risk management program.  He continually works with his staff and industry peers to identify new trends and technologies that will impact the business.  

Jim is a member of ASIS (American Society for Industrial Security) and the Certified Fraud Examiners Association and served on the National Retail Federation Loss Prevention Advisory Council where he partnered with retailers and direct businesses to share information and benchmark best practices.  He is a frequent speaker at the National Retail Federation Loss Prevention Conference and the annual Source Tagging Council conference.  

Jim is a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a BS in Criminal Justice.

Mr. Ron Long

Ron Long is a forty-two year Aviation Security veteran having worked for Eastern Airlines for 26 years and DHL Worldwide Express for 16 years.  During Ron’s tenure at Eastern he held the positions of Manager of Operational Security, Director of Security and Safety and President of Protective Services.   While at Eastern Ron was instrumental in the implementation of the first airline passenger screening programs to prevent hijackings, developing the first Air Carrier Standard Security programs, Ground Security Coordinator programs, the Airport Police response programs and was responsible for all internal and external company investigations.  Ron has developed and managed successful anti-drug smuggling programs in response to U.S. Customs CIP and C-TPAT programs.  Ron was instrumental in the development of the first FAA/TSA All Cargo Domestic Security Integration Program.  Mr. Long has been an active member of the Airline Transportation Association, International Airline Transportation Association, Cargo Airline Association and has been an active participant in congressional security aviation advisory committees during his career.  Ron has recently retired as the Sr. Director of Security and Safety from DHL Express where he was responsible for security, safety, regulatory compliance and emergency management in the Americas Region during his career