Medford, NJ. – [December 4, 2025] — The Life Safety Alliance (LSA) today announced the creation of the LSA Legends Program, a new initiative recognizing individuals whose innovation, thought leadership, and integrity have permanently advanced the global security and life safety professions.
The Legends Program honors those whose influence extends far beyond personal achievement: professionals whose frameworks, standards, institutions, and teachings continue to shape how organizations and practitioners around the world protect people, assets, and operations.
“Many of the great innovators in our field built the foundations of modern practice long before recognition programs existed,” said Michael Gips, LSA Legends Committee Co-Chair. “The Legends Program ensures that their influence is not only remembered but formally enshrined. Their work changed how we think about risk, resilience, and leadership. That deserves lasting acknowledgment.”
Nominees are evaluated through a rigorous, two-stage process. Each must satisfy six foundational criteria: thought leadership, enduring influence, professional integrity, institutional legacy, leadership continuity, and sustained contribution. The prior year’s Top 40 Thought Leaders in Security and Life Safety then vote on the remaining nominations. Achieving Legend status requires an extraordinary 75 percent affirmative vote, reflecting broad consensus that the nominee’s legacy has become part of the profession’s permanent structure.
“The Top 40 honorees represent the profession’s forward edge,” said Jonathan Perillo, Co-Chair of the LSA Legends Committee. “By asking them to serve as judges, we connect the innovators of today with the visionaries who laid the groundwork for everything we now take for granted in security, safety, and resilience.”
The program underscores LSA’s commitment to documenting and celebrating excellence across disciplines, including physical security, life safety, business continuity, intelligence, emergency management, investigations, loss prevention, and cybersecurity. Inductees will be recognized as part of an annual “Class of Legends,” formally announced each January and archived permanently within the Life Safety Alliance historical record.
“Security has always been a global profession, and so is its legacy,” noted Mike Hurst, a UK-based committee member and former ASIS International Vice Chair. “The Legends Program highlights the thinkers and builders who advanced the profession across borders and generations.”
New Zealand-based Andrew Thorburn added: “This initiative will ensure that the stories and achievements of our pioneers are preserved—not just as history, but as a living guide for emerging leaders who will carry the profession forward.”
Nominations for the inaugural class opened on December 1 and close on December 31. Details on eligibility, nomination procedures, and evaluation criteria can be found at https://lifesafetyalliance.org/legends.
About the Life Safety Alliance
The Life Safety Alliance (LSA) is a global network dedicated to advancing excellence in security, safety, and resilience through professional recognition, education, thought leadership, and collaboration. Its flagship programs include the Top 40 Thought Leaders in Security and Life Safety and the newly launched Legends Program, honoring individuals whose legacies continue to shape the profession.
