GRAND RAPIDS – The West Michigan Chapter of the American Society for Industrial Security named Van Andel Institute Physical Security Director Kevin M. Denhof, CPP, Security Practitioner of the Year at its annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner on May 31. This is the second time Denhof has received the award, the first time being in 2004.
?Kevin?s outstanding service to ASIS, Van Andel Institute, and the community has proved that he is the rightful recipient of the award this year,? ASIS West Michigan Chapter Chair Joe Doa said of Denhof.
?His commitment to not only raising the bar for safety and security at Van Andel Institute, but the entire surrounding community is a true testament to his character and leadership abilities. Kevin has continued to promote the pivotal relationship between the private and public sector that ASIS promotes worldwide. He has truly influenced how this community looks at safety and security, and we cannot thank him enough for his service,? Doa said.
A 30-year industry veteran, Denhof joined Van Andel Institute as chief of security in 2000. Previously, he held corporate security positions at Roger?s Department Store and Steketee?s. He became a Certified Protection Professional in 1996. He has been a member of ASIS since 1988 and served as chair of the local chapter in 2002, on the association?s Career Guidance Committee in 2004, and currently serves on the Legislative Committee.
Denhof was named a Traffic Squad Special Deputy by the Kent County Sheriff?s Department in 2011, and in that same year Van Andel Institute was ranked 17th internationally among biomedical research and pharmaceutical leaders such as Pfizer, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, and Bristol- Myers Squibb Company by the Security Executive Council, a leading international, professional-member security organization.
Referring to that award, Denhof singled out the department?s risk management, crisis management, and staff as important factors in VAI?s high ranking. ?Our ongoing crisis management planning has paid big dividends,? said Denhof. ?And I have a great staff, all of whom have been actively involved in our crisis management project over the past year.?
About his most recent award Denhof stressed the collaborative approach to security that his department has taken with Van Andel Institute?s neighbors on the Medical Mile and with law enforcement organizations encompassing a variety of jurisdictions in West Michigan.
?It has been a very important objective to communicate openly and share best practices with our neighbor organizations on the Medical Mile, and we have also done our utmost to include all facets of law enforcement in our planning and safety preparedness training,? said Denhof.
The annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner brings the public and private sectors together to recognize Law Enforcement Officers of the Year and recognize the outstanding accomplishments of fellow Security Professionals. The association aims to recognize security professionals who demonstrate honesty, integrity and diligent discharge of professional responsibilities. Candidates must be ASIS members in good standing, maintain the organization?s code of ethics and be actively involved in the community.
a>>
