Workplace Violence in Retail & Private Employers: Critical Prevention Steps and High-Risk Response Priorities

Dr. Larry Barton | INSUREX

Dr. Larry Barton is a world-renowned expert in crisis management and threat assessment and serves as Distinguished University Professor of Crisis Management and Public Safety at the University of Central Florida. He previously served as President and CEO of The American College (2003–2013) and Vice President of Issues Management at Motorola.

Dr. Barton has advised Fortune 500 companies on over 3,400 critical incidents, including workplace violence, executive harassment, and social media threats. He designs high-impact simulations and training in crisis prevention, workplace violence, and risk mitigation, and frequently provides expert commentary for CNN, BBC, and CBS.

The author of five best-selling books, including Crisis Leadership Now, he has been recognized globally for his contributions to the field, receiving the ISMA Distinguished Service Award (2018) and the OSPA/ASIS Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), becoming the first American inducted into the Security Hall of Fame.

He holds an AB, magna cum laude, from Boston College, an MALD from Tufts University, and a Ph.D. in international relations and public policy from Boston University. Dr. Barton was the first Fulbright Scholar in Crisis Management to Japan, assisting the Japanese National Police in investigating the Aum cult.

Kimberly A. Urbanek, BA, NREMTP | OPTICS for Healthcare

Kimberly A. Urbanek is an award-winning workplace violence prevention expert, #1 best-selling author, and nationally sought-after speaker with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, public safety, and emergency management. She is a recognized authority on workplace violence prevention and threat mitigation, and is known for transforming how individuals and organizations understand, prevent, and respond to workplace violence.

As the founder of K4 Consulting and co-founder of OPTICS, an innovative violence and risk mitigation platform, Kim helps organizations identify vulnerabilities, strengthen compliance, and reduce harm and liability through comprehensive training and proactive prevention strategies.

Kim authored the Workplace Violence Prevention Handbook, is a Master-Level Instructor in Crisis Prevention, and a certified International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) responder.

Kim blends real-world expertise with strategic insight, helping risk managers, legal teams, and organizations bridge the gap between policy and practice. Kim is available for keynotes, workshops, expert testimony, and consulting.

Bob VandePol | VandePol Crisis Response Services LLC

Throughout his career, Bob VandePol MSW has served as a calming and guiding force in mitigating the impact of various crisis situations. From natural disasters to mass shootings and mental health emergencies, Bob has developed comprehensive strategies and mobilized resources to provide effective crisis response support and foster resilience.

Previously Bob was the Executive Director of Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services’ Employee Assistance Programs, additionally, he helped to grow Crisis Care Network from a startup to the world’s largest provider of Critical Incident Response Services to the workplace. He managed CCN’s Command Center in Manhattan after the 2001 terrorist attacks and has led leadership summits and consultations following our nation’s large-scale events regarding how employers can lead organizational recovery during crises.

As a speaker, Bob captivates audiences with his dynamic style and ability to convey complex concepts in an accessible manner. He draws from his vast experience and shares real-world examples to illustrate the principles of crisis preparedness, response and leadership. Bob’s presentations are known for their practicality and actionable insights, empowering individuals and organizations to navigate crises with calm, confidence and compassion.

Katherine Schweit | The Bureau Consortium

Katherine Schweit is a founding member of the Bureau Consortium consulting group and the owner of Schweit Consulting LLC, where she provides crisis and communications guidance to schools, businesses, and government agencies. A former FBI Special Agent who spent 20 years with the Bureau, Schweit’s career focused on preventing and responding to acts of violence. She played a key role in advancing strategies for threat assessment, crisis response, and violence prevention, earning two U.S. Attorney General Awards for her work fighting for victims.

She serves as an expert advisor to several organizations, including the University of Michigan’s National Center for School Safety, and continues to teach and consult on creating safer workplaces and communities. A former Chicago prosecutor and journalist, Schweit also shares her insights as host of the Stop the Killing podcast, dedicated to helping individuals and organizations understand and prevent violence.

She is the author of Stop the Killing: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis and A Simple Guide to the Second Amendment/How to Talk About Guns With Anyone, both recognized for their practical, nonpartisan approach to violence prevention. Her most recent book, Women Who Talk to the Dead, tells the true story of two women who led the largest FBI exhumation in history to give voice to 200 forgotten murder victims.

Schweit earned her B.A. in journalism from Michigan State University and her J.D. from DePaul College of Law, where she is currently an adjunct professor. Based outside Washington, D.C., she continues to write, teach, and advocate for justice and a safer future for all.

Joseph Paul Manley | Risk Mitigation Technologies, LLC

Joseph Paul Manley is an Independent Security Consultant, Board-Certified Workplace Violence & Threat Specialist, and Adjunct Lecturer specializing in preventing and managing violence in high-risk workplaces. A member of the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC), Paul brings peer-recognized expertise to his work. Through his P.R.E.V.A.I.L™ model, he helps organizations transform early warning signs into actionable prevention strategies that keep people, property, and reputations safe. His work bridges security, behavioral threat management, and organizational leadership—helping clients meet both practical and legal standards of care before violence occurs.

William S. Marcisz | Strategic Security Management Consulting

William S. Marcisz, President and Chief Consultant of SSMC, is a nationally recognized Security Practitioner with extensive expertise in Workplace Violence Prevention, Healthcare Security, and Crisis & Threat Management. He holds dual board certifications as a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and a Certified Healthcare Protection Associate (CHPA), reflecting his deep qualifications in Security Management, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness.

Mr. Marcisz has worked in the healthcare industry since 1983 and brings over thirty years of experience in Security Administration, including eight years practicing full-time as a litigation attorney. His professional achievements have been recognized by both the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety and the American Society for Industrial Security.

Since becoming a Security Consultant in 2015, Bill has served clients across the United States, and in 2017 he incorporated Strategic Security Management Consulting, Inc. (SSMC), a full-service firm specializing in Healthcare Security, Workplace Violence Prevention, and Crisis & Threat Management.

Bill also serves as an Expert Witness, providing forensic consulting and litigation support to both plaintiffs and defendants. His testimony and expertise have contributed to outcomes including summary judgments and jury verdicts reaching $13.5 million in damages.

Session I – Mitigating the Impact of Workplace Violence; Return to Life, Return to Work | 1:00pm – 1:20pm

• The psychological and behavioral impacts of trauma
• Organizational costs of workplace violence
• Stabilization factors for leaders to implement
• The role of a critical incident Response consultant

Session II – Risk Behind the Register: Tools for Assessing and Preventing Workplace Violence in Retail | 1:20pm – 1:40pm

• Learn the 4 types of workplace violence
• Explore the specific risks in retail
• Review prevention fundamentals
• Discover retail laws and liability considerations

Session III – Retail Safety and Liability: Navigating Asset Protection, Threat Assessment, and Workplace Violence Prevention | 1:40pm – 2:00pm

• The critical differences between asset protection and threat assessment
• Common safety gaps some retailers ignore
• WPV training in retail: The great, the bad and the ugly
• Get ready: Where the call for transparency is headed

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session IV – From Warning Signs to Legally Defensible Action: Practical Tools for Preventing Workplace Violence | 2:10pm – 2:30pm

• Identifying early warning signs: Behavioral and situational indicators attorneys should advise clients to monitor
• Building prevention infrastructure: Threat assessment teams, reporting systems, and intervention protocols
• Managing high-risk terminations: Safety-first strategies to protect employees and reduce liability exposure
• Creating legally defensible prevention plans: Aligning policies with OSHA standards and case law precedents

Session V – Priorities when Violence Occurs | 2:30pm – 2:50pm

• Preparing employees
• Communication strategies
• Incident command team strategies
• Teaching employees a safe response

Session VI – Case Management Strategies Relating to Litigating Negligent Security Claims Stemming from Incidents of Workplace Violence | 2:50pm – 3:10pm

• Types of negligent security cases stemming from workplace violence
• Exposure based on industry
• Developing a case strategy
• Litigation support – hiring security experts