SIA Veterans in Security Leadership Forum at ISC East 2026
Join us at ISC East(opens in new tab) for the first-ever SIA Veterans in Security Leadership Forum. This half-day event presented by the SIA Veterans in Security community will feature multiple sessions focused on career development and workplace issues for veterans who are—or are interested in becoming—security industry professionals.
The forum will feature special guest Bill Squires as keynote speaker. Squires, a retired naval aviator, has spent his postmilitary life helping to provide security for some of the biggest sports teams and events in the country through his firm, Right Stuff Consulting. Most recently, he served as chief venues officer for the FIFA 2026 Men’s World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee, ensuring that multiple World Cup matches, including the final—the most watched sporting event in the world—were secure. In addition, he is a part-time lecturer at Columbia University, president of the New Jersey Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Board of Directors and past president of the Stadium Managers Association.
Also during the event, we will present panels of industry experts discussing mentorship, military-to-civilian transition and corporate programs for veterans, before closing with the inaugural Battle of the Branches competition and a reception.
This event is free and open to all ISC East attendees; registration is required.
Please note: Each attendee of SIA’s special events held on-site at ISC East will need to register as an attendee of ISC East (or be an exhibitor). Register here for your free ISC East badge(opens in new tab) (code: ISCE26SIA).
Speakers
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Steven McCoryDirector of Business Development, ViewScan; Member, SIA Veterans in Security Advisory Board -
Bill SquiresChief Venues Officer, FIFA 2026 Men's World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee; Associate Professor, Sports Management, Columbia UniversityBill Squires began his career in the sports and entertainment facilities and events management industry in 1987 and has managed several large professional sports venues. He was responsible for all aspects of events and operations of these venues.
Squires is the chief venues officer for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee. He is a past president of the Stadium Managers Association and sits on several boards supporting sports and entertainment facilities and events.
Squires has taught sports facilities and events management and co-teaches sustainability in sports: theory and practice in Columbia University’s Master of Science in sports management program.
Squires is a United States Naval Academy graduate and was an active-duty naval aviator for 12 years before joining the New York Yankees. He served an additional 12 years in the Naval Reserves and retired as a commander.
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Jason ClementField Application Engineer Director, East, Hanwha Vision America -
Ricky DavisFounder and CEO, RICE Security & Consulting -
Zachary GaffneyGSOC Manager, Northland Controls -
Gloria HillVice President, Commercial Sales, Allied Universal Technology Services -
Jeff HugginsVice President for Government Programs and National Accounts, ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions; Chair, SIA Veterans in Security ForumJeff Huggins is the vice president for government programs and national accounts at ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions. He served in and ultimately retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after 22 years, working in the intelligence/reconnaissance field throughout his career, with over 15 years of that service stationed at overseas locations or on deployments to the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Caribbean, South America, North Africa and Arctic regions of the globe. Upon retirement from the Corps. Huggins started his civilian carer working in the security industry supplying access control, intrusion and video solutions to the financial/banking industry. He has subsequently spent his time in the security industry in leadership roles throughout his career running installation, service, sales and business development programs. Huggins has been with ASSA ABLOY since 2014, where he currently leads the government and national accounts programs. He was instrumental in the establishment of the ASSA ABLOY Veterans Network, which has established veterans groups at the company’s various locations across the country and conducts various “give back” activities in support of its veteran employees and local community veterans groups. Since 2024, Huggins has served as the first-ever chair of SIA’s Veterans in Security community, which focuses on the issues and concerns of veterans and active military members who are in – or are interested in joining – the security industry.
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James MarcellaDirector, Industry Associations, Axis Communications -
Mark PetersonPrincipal, ESS Solutions, BCF Solutions -
Ashley RoseDistrict Sales Manager, Virginia, Security 101 -
Nathan WellsSales Manager, Tennessee and Kentucky, ConvergintNathan Wells is a sales manager at Convergint and a dedicated advocate for veteran advancement within the security industry. A U.S. Navy veteran, Wells has over 20 years of experience leading strategic security initiatives for enterprise clients in the utility, government and critical infrastructure sectors. Beyond his professional success in driving revenue and optimizing complex security programs, he serves as the chair of Convergint Veterans Connect. Under Wells’ leadership, the initiative grew from 40 to over 100 members in just 18 months, creating a blueprint for veteran engagement and mentorship that has been adopted across the organization. His work focuses on bridging the gap between military service and civilian career success, partnering with organizations like SIA to provide veterans with the tools, community and mentorship needed to thrive in the private sector.
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