Articles
Women in Security - Q4 Meeting Recap
The Fourth Quarter Women In Security (WIS) meeting, was organized by Heather Miller and held at Convergent in Westerville on November 12, 2025. Heather started the meeting by having the 21 attendees introduce themselves. Ken Menard gave a quick explanation of ASIS and invited the attendees to come to a future ASIS meeting. Kari Chadd, our host at Convergent, invited guests to enjoy snacks and then introduced the meeting’s speaker - Tizzie Nuss.
Tizzie Nuss has built her career on being the first – the first to step into new spaces, challenge norms, and spark change with purpose. A purpose-driven leader and innovator, Tizzie has turned personal adversity into impact. After temporarily losing her eyesight in 2017, she turned that experience into purpose, founding The Spark Project®and inventing the patented SPARK® Shield to help keep children safe. Today, as the first Vice President of People & Culture at NAI Ohio Equities, she continues to lead with heart – helping others grow, connect, and lead with courage, heart and compassion.
Tizzie presented and demonstrated the SPARK SHIELD, a ballistic resistant device about the size of a clipboard (with handles) that a student can hold up in front of their face and chest, to protect themselves from bullets in event of a school active shooter incident. She also showed a sheet of the same material which had sustained 5 bullet slug rounds without any penetration up to 44 and 45 calibers. Tizzie is seeking funding for these devices to be able to completely equip a classroom or school.
The attendees were extremely enthusiast about the device, and being security specialists themselves, made suggestions for it’s use including door panels for classrooms and entry points, for backpacks (to protect both the front and back of students) and for law enforcement. To acquire funding, it was seriously suggested that she appear on SHARK TANK and also approach religious congregations (besides schools) which are also at risk for active shooters.
More information can be found at sparkproject.us and Tizzie invites inquiries at 614-499-3870 or [email protected] or [email protected]
Crime Stopper Breakfast - 2025
Ken Minard and Ed Sachs attended the Columbus Crime-Stoppers Breakfast at the Boat House in Columbus on October 29, 2025. There were about 140 people in attendance, mostly police officers, including State Troopers and Sheriffs, with Columbus Police Officers (CPD) the vast majority. Ken and Ed sat with 6 CPD personnel: 2 Detectives and 4 Administrators. As happened with our ASIS Officer Appreciation Lunch: the Columbus Pipes and Drums played, the colors were presented by the CPD Color Guard, there was the pledge of Allegiance and an invocation.
Awards were presented by celebrities from TV channels 4, 6 and 10; to officers and businesses supporting the police. Remarks were made by Napoleon Bell – Crime Stoppers President and by CPD Chief Elaine Bryant. The program concluded with a benediction by Westerville PD Chaplain Jim Meacham (who spoke at our ASIS Officer Appreciation lunch a few years ago).
The keynote speaker was Bill Swank. Bill is the first-ever recipient of the Ambassador Impact Award from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). With over 32 years in law enforcement, Bill has served in roles ranging from narcotics officer to Detective Sergeant, and later with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
In 2016, Bill founded Light Ohio Blue, a statewide initiative honoring fallen officers, supporting their families, and showing appreciation for active law enforcement personnel. As an NLEOMF Ambassador and Steering Committee member, Bill has strengthened national outreach and even personally funded the program’s first Ambassador Challenge Coins. Much of Bill’s presentation was about Light Ohio Blue and Crime-stoppers.
Bill’s career reflects unwavering dedication, service, and advocacy for the law enforcement community, making him an inspiring voice for public safety and community support.
