Michael R. Cummings, CPP, has advanced to the presidency of ASIS International, the preeminent organization for security professionals worldwide. Cummings has been in the security field since 1973.   He spent the first 12 years in retail and has practiced in health care since 1985. His current position is Director of Loss Prevention Services for Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee, Wis. He has served in this position since 1987.

Cummings sees both challenges and opportunities for ASIS International and the security profession in 2009. "In addition to responding to the protection needs of our organizations in light of the macro economy, a growing reality is the overall complexity of the world we live in relative to security," he says.  

To meet the needs of the ASIS members, he sees the need to be creative in partnerships and development of resources. "Establishing both formal and informal relationships with like-minded organizations is one approach," he adds.   "Continuing with the initiatives to address specific needs of various constituencies of security professionals is also necessary."  

Cummings lists ongoing development of Standards and Guidelines, growth of the CSO Roundtable, and creative approaches to educational offerings, including manner of delivery, topics and location, as particularly germane to the global outreach efforts of ASIS International.

A member of ASIS International since 1978, Cummings has served many years in various capacities in the Milwaukee chapter. He served as a member of the Standing Committee For Health Care Security between 1989 and 1999 and chaired the committee in 1997, 1998 and 1999. He was appointed to the ASIS Board of Directors in 2000 and was re-appointed in 2001 and 2002. He was elected to the Board of Directors in January 2003.  

He is a senior member of the International Association for Healthcare Safety and Security (IAHSS). He holds a bachelor's degree from Marquette University and has completed course work for a master's in Security Management and Human Resources Development from Webster University. Cummings received the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation in 1986 and has recertified for this designation every three years since.  

Cummings has served on several boards, including the Southeast Wisconsin Homeland Security Partnership Inc. (SWHSP), the Editorial Advisory Board for Corporate Security, and the Board for the Avenues West Association, which included responsibility for safety and security functions. He has lectured on a variety of security topics over the years at the local and national level, and has published in Security Management, The Journal of Healthcare Protection Management and the Security Business Practice Reference.  

Cummings lives in Elkhorn, Wis., with his wife Rima and their dog Heidi. For 18 years their joint hobby is finding and renovating older unique houses. He also enjoys more typical pursuits including golf and fishing.