Retail Association Changes Top Staff

GDA Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 1/8/2013 9:13:05 AM

ARLINGTON, VA - The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has made some changes to its top staff. Garth Gasse, a former Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us executive, has joined the association as director of retail operations, asset protection, and Lisa LaBruno has been promoted to senior vice president for retail operations.

Prior to joining RILA on January 2, Gasse spent 14 years at Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us, most recently as regional asset protection manager. A 25-year retail veteran, Gasse has served in a variety of positions within Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us, overseeing loss prevention activities at stores throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic region. While with the company, his districts of responsibility were continually placed in the top 10 shrink results by posting below one percent each year. Prior to joining Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us, Gasse worked as a security investigator for Victoria's Secret stores and was the regional loss prevention representative for CVS Pharmacy.

In his new position Gasse will work with loss prevention executives from across the retail industry to identify common challenges and leading practices. He will report to LaBruno.

LaBruno has been with RILA since 2010 as vice president for loss prevention and legal affairs. Prior to joining RILA, LaBruno served for eight years as senior in-house attorney at the Home Depot. At the Home Depot, LaBruno also served as the primary legal adviser in matters related to criminal and unethical conduct by employees, customers and suppliers. She provided day-to-day guidance to field operations, and designed, developed and wrote loss prevention standard operating procedures and training materials.

In her new role, she will oversee RILA's operational efforts, which bring together executives from across the retail enterprise, including supply chain and asset protection, to address challenges and advance the retail industry. LaBruno will also play a major role in the planning of RILA's educational and networking conferences. She will report to Jenny Keehan, RILA's executive vice president for member services.