Multiple accolades received for professionalism, service and the transformative Downtown Portland Clean & Safe program partnership
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – GardaWorld Security – United States, a global champion and leader in security services, won multiple awards at the 2025 Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) held during GSX in New Orleans yesterday evening.
- Don Buehrer, a security professional at GardaWorld Security – U.S, won the Outstanding Security Officer award. With over a decade of experience, he played a critical role in GardaWorld Security – U.S. taking over security at a major stadium. He has completed more than 100 security details in a single season and plays a key role in training new officers. Buehrer has also been recognized as GardaWorld Security – U.S.’ 2024 Regional Officer of the Year and 2025 Branch Officer of the Month.
- Kevin McGraham, Senior Account Manager at GardaWorld Security – U.S., won the Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director award for his work on the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe program. He has driven transformative change through compassionate, community-first security strategies. Under his leadership since August 2022, the program has saved over 160 lives through Narcan interventions, achieved a 17-point reduction in theft and shoplifting and improved downtown worker retention by 17 points. His ambassador-style security model has led to an outstanding client approval rating and substantial crime reductions. McGraham’s leadership has positioned the program as a nationally recognized blueprint for urban recovery.
- The partnership between GardaWorld Security – U.S. and the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe program was recognized with both the Outstanding Security Partnership award and the Outstanding Security Team award. Led by the Portland Metro Chamber of Commerce, the partnership has helped to restore order, trust and a sense of belonging across 213 city blocks since it began in 2022. The program has produced quantifiable results, affirming its value to businesses, employees and the broader community, and has garnered global attention as a blueprint security model for other organizations.
These winners will now be entered into the Global OSPAs, scheduled to take place in 2026.
In addition to these four awards, Natalie Knight, a security professional at GardaWorld Security – U.S., received an Honorable Mention for the Ralph Day Memorial Award, as part of the ASIS Awards of Excellence, in recognition of her life-saving actions this year. In February, Knight prevented a two-year-old child from being hit by a semi-truck and in March she prevented a potential mass casualty event by discreetly managing a situation with an armed individual on-site. She is recognized for her outstanding service and leadership, having also received back-to-back GardaWorld Security – U.S. Ambassador of the Month and a Making a Difference awards.
Furthermore, GardaWorld Security – U.S. security professional James Showalter’s achievements were highlighted during yesterday’s 2025 U.S. OSPAs award ceremony. Showalter won the Outstanding Security Officer award at the 2024 U.S. OSPAs and went on to win the same award at the Global OSPAs earlier this year.
“I am incredibly proud to see our security professionals recognized with these awards,” said Prentice Robertson, President and Chief Operating Officer, GardaWorld Security – U.S. “They reflect the hard work, dedication and professionalism that our teams demonstrate every day, consistently going above and beyond. These achievements not only affirm our commitment to excellence and innovation but also reinforce the trust our clients and partners place in us. While the recognitions are an honor, what matters most is the positive impact we continue to make for our customers, employees and the communities we serve.”
GardaWorld Security – U.S. was recently Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for 2025. Out of 5,500+ companies recognized this year, GardaWorld Security – U.S. is the only national guarding company in the United States to earn this honor, and the only guarding company to do so for three consecutive years. This certification recognizes employers which foster outstanding employee experiences and workplace cultures. Overall, 81% of employees said GardaWorld Security – U.S. is a great place to work, a 3-point improvement on last year’s score and 24 points higher than the average U.S. company.
GardaWorld Security – U.S. is at GSX 2025 (Sep. 29 – Oct. 1, New Orleans). Visit us at booth 1941 to learn more about GardaWorld Security’s expertise and people-focused approach.
Candidates looking to grow their career at a company that puts its people first can find more information about taking the first steps in their journey at garda.com/careers
About GardaWorld Security – U.S.
GardaWorld Security is a global champion and leader in security services. Employing highly-skilled and dedicated professionals across the globe, GardaWorld Security offers sophisticated, tailored security and technology solutions through high-touch partnerships and consistently superior service delivery. With a deep understanding that security is critical to the organizational resilience of business operations and the safety of communities, GardaWorld Security is committed to impeccable governance, professional care and the well-being of everyone. Thanks to a well-earned reputation, GardaWorld Security is the long-standing security partner of choice to some of the most prominent brands and Fortune 500 corporations. In 2025, GardaWorld Security – U.S. remains the only national guarding company to receive the Great Place To Work Certification™ with an approval score 24 points higher than the average U.S. company. For more information, visit garda.com.
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SOURCE GardaWorld Security – U.S.
