SPARCing Real Conversations: Security Practitioners Speak!
They’re still talking about 2025 panel of technical security practitioners from SIA’s SPARC community of end users. Maybe it was the honest feedback to the manufacturer and integrator community or the openness on what they shared about how they evaluate security solutions and vendors to match their needs. Whatever it was, it was clear this is the type of conversation that executives in the industry want to hear, and so this session returns for 2025.
In this session moderated by Dave Ilardi, president of Allegion Americas, and featuring experts Jedidiah Abrams, director of global security, aviation and investigations at Walmart, and Sobie Velasquez, vice president of physical security technology at Morgan Stanley, you’ll get candid perspective as always from top corporate security team members who are directly responsible for guiding and managing security solutions at their firms.
Speakers
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Dave IlardiPresident
Allegion AmericasDave Ilardi is president of Allegion Americas.
In this role, Dave is responsible for Allegion’s largest business region, with operations in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The Americas organization is responsible for several of Allegion’s core brands, including Schlage, LCN and Von Duprin.
Prior to this role, Dave led Allegion Home since 2019. Under his leadership, the Schlage brand celebrated its 100th anniversary and continued to innovate its strong position in residential electronics locks launching the first NFC enabled smart lock for the home with the Schlage Encode Plus. Additionally, he expanded our brand portfolio to strengthen our core Schlage position and capture new market segments and channels.
As a 23-year veteran at the company, he brings in-depth experience in both residential and non-residential markets and has also managed the Allegion Operating System and held prior leadership roles in sales, marketing, global supply chain, market intelligence and portfolio management.
In addition to his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Management from Truman State University, Dave also holds an MBA from Lindenwood University, and is a Kellogg Executive Scholar from Northwestern University.
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Jedidiah AbramsDirector, Global Security, Aviation and Investigations
WalmartJedidiah Abrams, CPP, CFI, is a security expert at Walmart, Inc. He supports overall non-retail safety and security posture through risk assessments, customized solutions to address risks, physical security technology implementation, and leadership through critical incidents. His career has included highly sensitive international details and large scale events. He has led security planning for complex security issues, including events, reductions in force, renovations, and new-build security design. He currently leads a team that supports business operations support across more than 4.5 million square feet of office space (plus an airport, data centers, and a museum) and provides security services to over 200 corporate and supply chain locations across the United States. Working alongside the team at Walmart, Jedidiah supports local communities during disaster activations as part of the Global Emergency Management function within Walmart’s Global Security Operations Center. Jedidiah encourages industry collaboration to enhance safety and security. Formerly a detective assigned to a special victims unit in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he currently volunteers as the reserve Sergeant at the Bentonville Police Department in Bentonville, Arkansas.
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Sobie Velasquez, D.Sc.Vice President, Physical Security Technology
Morgan StanleySobie Velasquez has has had a distinguished career in the security technology industry, focusing on physical security systems, crisis management, and business continuity. With over two decades of experience, he has been instrumental in managing complex security systems initiatives, enhancing the security infrastructure of major organizations. Before joining Morgan Stanley, Velasquez served as the senior director of physical security systems at NBCUniversal, where he modernized and integrated global security systems. His expertise in security technology solutions has been crucial in developing advanced measures to protect critical assets and information.
In addition to his corporate roles, Velasquez has contributed to academia as an adjunct professor at the Long Island Business Institute, teaching courses in security technology and emergency management. He holds a Doctor of Science in civil security leadership, management and policy from New Jersey City University, and degrees in protection and security management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His career highlights include managing large-scale multimillion-dollar security system deployments and integrating systems across regional boundaries. With a strong focus on operational risk and project management, Velasquez continues to drive innovation and excellence in physical security technology.
