LEADERSHIP
Meet the Leaders Behind CLEAR
CLEAR is guided by experienced professionals from law enforcement, retail asset protection, investigations, and public safety who are committed to strengthening partnerships and improving community safety nationwide.
OUR COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
Leadership Through Partnership
CLEAR's leadership team brings together diverse experience from law enforcement agencies, retail organizations, investigative units, and public safety initiatives.
Their collective expertise helps shape the organization's strategic direction, educational programming, and commitment to advancing public-private partnerships throughout the United States.
Executive Leadership
Brendan 'Ben' Dugan
President • CLEAR
Ben Dugan, CFI, is the Executive Director of Organized Retail Crime and Central Investigations at CVS Health. Ben possesses over 30 years retail loss prevention experience ranging from Big Box, Catalog, Pharmacy and Specialty retailers. Ben is certified as an expert in Organized Retail Crime and Diversion by the U.S. Department of Justice and holds additional certifications as a Law Enforcement Instructor, Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI) and in E-Commerce Investigative Methodologies.
Ben has provided expert testimony in dozens of high-profile criminal cases and testified at the highest levels of Government, including the U.S. Congress to advance ORC legislation and initiatives across the country. His work on ORC, Transnational Crime, Money Laundering, and violent crime is regularly featured in the national media and industry conferences.
Ben is the sitting President of the National Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail.
Board of Directors
Raul Aguilar
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Vice President
Dedicated to enhancing public safety through strategic partnerships and comprehensive investigations.
Jason Davies
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Vice President
Over 20 years of law enforcement experience focused on community-led policing and organizational leadership.
John Clark
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Executive Director
Specializes in organized retail crime prevention and implementing innovative security technologies.
Dave Collins
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Treasurer
Leads multi-jurisdictional task forces to combat large-scale retail theft and fraud rings.
Dane Waugh
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Secretary
Extensive background in managing global security operations and crisis response strategies.
Melissa Lauricello
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National Training Director
Committed to building strong public-private collaborations to ensure regional safety and stability.
Gregg 'OX' Oxfeld
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Director Sponsor Relations
Expertise in corporate investigations, asset protection, and supply chain security protocols.
Sgt. Howard Mergler
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Regional Director
Directs statewide initiatives aligning law enforcement resources with retail industry needs.
Chief Doug Muldoon (Ret)
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Director Law Enforcement Relations
Extensive background in managing global security operations and crisis response strategies.
Aaron Vitale
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
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Aaron Vitale serves as a Supervisory Special Agent with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, where he leads the Commonwealth’s Organized Retail Crime Unit.
With 19 years of law enforcement experience, including the past nine years with the Attorney General’s Office, SSA Vitale plays a critical role in Pennsylvania’s efforts to combat organized retail crime.
In July 2024, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General launched its Organized Retail Crime Unit, comprised of five Deputy Attorneys General and ten Special Agents. SSA Vitale was selected to co-lead the unit alongside Chief Deputy Attorney General Patrick Schulte. The unit is dedicated to identifying, investigating, and dismantling complex criminal networks that target the supply chain and retail sectors, particularly those involving violence, large-scale coordination, and high-dollar losses.
Since its formation on July 1, 2024, following the enactment of Act 42, the unit has initiated over 100 investigations that have led to dozens of arrests and the recovery of millions of dollars in assets and stolen merchandise. These efforts have resulted in successful prosecutions and meaningful prison sentences, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s zero-tolerance approach to organized retail crime.
The Organized Retail Crime Unit continues to advance statewide enforcement efforts and outreach by fostering strong partnerships with local law enforcement agencies and the retail industry. The unit’s leadership is helping to redefine retail theft as a serious, organized threat to both public safety and Pennsylvania’s economic stability.
Bill Corfield
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Regional Director
Expertise in corporate investigations, asset protection, and supply chain security protocols.
Kyle Woods
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Legislative Chair
Directs statewide initiatives aligning law enforcement resources with retail industry needs.
Bob Caruso
Chief of Staff at Metro One
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Robert “Bobby” Caruso serves as Chief of Staff at Metro One, where he directs national retail strategy and client programs.
With more than 35 years of retail security leadership, Bobby previously held senior executive positions in Loss Prevention at The Children’s Place, Sterns Department Stores, and J.Crew. He is a graduate of St. John’s University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, a former member of the ASIS Retail Council, and a former Adjunct Associate Professor of Security Management at St. John’s.
He joined the company in 2001 as Vice President of Investigations and Retail Store Detective Division and was promoted to his current role in 2025.
At Metro One, Bobby is a key player in sales growth, service consistency, and leadership development. Known for his mentorship, his reports often grow into leaders themselves—instilling that integrity and conduct, not titles, define leadership. That commitment was recognized in 2021 with the Magpie Award for Excellence in Leadership. His approach balances client needs with officer support, ensuring sustainable service at scale.
With over two decades at Metro One, Bobby continues to advance the company’s retail division while maintaining the family-driven culture that first drew him in: a mandate to grow without losing trust, humility, or people-first values.
Kelly Hansen
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Regional Director
Committed to building strong public-private collaborations to ensure regional safety and stability.
Sgt. Rich Rossman
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National Training Director
Expertise in corporate investigations, asset protection, and supply chain security protocols.
Christian Hardman
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Director State Relations
Directs statewide initiatives aligning law enforcement resources with retail industry needs.
Doug Muldoon
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Extensive background in managing global security operations and crisis response strategies.
Alaina Kring
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Committed to building strong public-private collaborations to ensure regional safety and stability.
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Executive Advisory Board Past President
Expertise in corporate investigations, asset protection, and supply chain security protocols.
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Executive Advisory Board Past President
Directs statewide initiatives aligning law enforcement resources with retail industry needs.
Rich Niven
Legislative Chair
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Senior Investigator with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Currently assigned to retail theft investigations and the San Francisco Police Department’s Retail Theft Task Force, where responsibilities include coordinating complex investigations, operational planning, arrest operations, and fencing investigations targeting organized theft networks.
Prior to joining the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, served as an Inspector with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office assigned to the Felony Trial Team, supporting complex criminal investigations and prosecution efforts. Additional private sector experience includes work with a law enforcement technology company and executive protection operations for a major technology corporation.
Began law enforcement career with the Oakland Police Department in 2006 and retired in 2019 as Lieutenant of the Ceasefire Unit, leading intelligence-based strategies focused on gang-related gun violence and multi-agency criminal investigations.
Extensive experience collaborating with retailers, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and technology partners to address organized retail crime, repeat offenders, and criminal fencing operations throughout the Bay Area.
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Committed to building strong public-private collaborations to ensure regional safety and stability.
Det. Jack Gee (Ret)
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Executive Advisory Board Past President
Expertise in corporate investigations, asset protection, and supply chain security protocols.
Curt Crum
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Executive Advisory Board Past President
Directs statewide initiatives aligning law enforcement resources with retail industry needs.
Supporting CLEAR's Mission
Training & Education
Developing comprehensive programs to enhance the skills of law enforcement and retail professionals. We ensure our members stay ahead of emerging trends.
Conference Planning
Organizing our annual summits and regional events. We create environments that foster networking, learning, and strategic collaboration.
Membership Development
Focusing on growing our network of dedicated professionals. We work to provide ongoing value and resources to every CLEAR member.
Industry Partnerships
Building bridges between public agencies and private retail organizations. Our goal is to create unified fronts against organized retail crime.
Legislative Affairs
Advocating for policies that support our mission at the state and federal levels. We provide a collective voice for necessary legal frameworks.
Public Safety Initiatives
Spearheading programs that directly impact community well-being. We leverage shared intelligence to reduce crime and improve safety nationwide.
A Network of Expertise
Our nationwide network unites diverse professionals to share intelligence, drive innovation, and advance public safety through unified action.
STRATEGIC IMPACT
Building Stronger Communities
Information Sharing & Training
CLEAR leadership drives the continuous exchange of critical intelligence between law enforcement and the retail sector. By facilitating joint training programs and educational seminars, we equip our network with the latest methodologies to address emerging threats collectively and proactively.
- Accelerate cross-sector intelligence sharing.
- Provide specialized regional and national training seminars.
ORC Prevention & Partnerships
Our leadership actively supports initiatives targeting Organized Retail Crime (ORC). Through the advancement of robust public-private partnerships, we help coordinate unified task forces capable of dismantling complex retail theft rings, recovering assets, and protecting the economic stability of local communities.
- Form unified public-private ORC task forces.
- Enhance investigative collaboration to dismantle retail theft rings.
Interested in Getting Involved?
CLEAR thrives because of the dedication and expertise of professionals who are committed to advancing public safety through collaboration.
Join a Community of Leaders
Connect with professionals across law enforcement, retail, investigations, and public safety who are working together to strengthen communities nationwide.
A national coalition connecting law enforcement, retail asset protection, and public safety professionals to build stronger partnerships for safer communities.
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