CSO Event: From Badge to Boardroom

CSO Event: From Badge to Boardroom - Helping Your Team Navigate the Public-to-Private Sector Transition

Many of today's security hires come straight from law enforcement or military service, bringing deep expertise and hard-won instincts. But the leap to the private sector can be bigger than it looks for some. How well that transition goes for both the new hire and the organization can be directly influenced by those in senior security leadership.

This session explores what security executives (CSO and Deputy CSOs) should consider in setting transitioning talent up for success – whether on your own team, a colleague, mentee, or friend. We'll unpack the real differences between operating in a government versus corporate environment inclusive of influence-based leadership and what it means to do business within a new culture and bureaucracy. We'll also challenge some common assumptions CSOs make about new hires, share actual lessons learned as leaders, and offer practical strategies to bridge the gap.

Learning Objectives

• Distinguish between authority-driven and influence-driven leadership models and how each applies in a corporate security environment
• Identify key operational differences transitioning employees face, including, corporate culture, reporting structures, and legal frameworks
• Examine the assumptions CSOs commonly make about transitioning hires and how those assumptions can undermine onboarding success
• Apply practical strategies to support employees moving from a government, law enforcement or military environment into corporate security roles

This program is brought to the CSO Center in partnership with The Security Foundation’s Security Coalition for Engagement & Advancement (SCEA). SCEA’s mission is to accelerate the security industry by increasing awareness of opportunities in the security profession and mentoring promising talent to ascend to leadership positions. ASIS and the CSO Center are proud to be a part of this mission.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Ontic.  

CSO Center Host/Panelist:

Karen Frank, Managing Director, Firm Security Services, KPMG and Former law Enforcement   

Karen is a senior security executive with extensive experience in leadership roles across enterprise security, risk management, justice administration, law enforcement, and global IT infrastructure and service delivery.  She has a strong background in developing, implementing, and managing risk management systems, services, and solutions.

Panelist:

Dave Komendat, Senior Advisor, Ontic and Partner/CSO, Corporate Security Advisors

Dave Komendat is a retired Vice President and CSO for The Boeing Company, where he spent 14 years overseeing global security and fire protection strategies. A recognized leader in security policy, he served on advisory groups for national and international security, including as past co-chairman of the Domestic Security Alliance Council and president of the International Security Management Association. Komendat is now Partner and Chief Security Officer at Corporate Security Advisors, is an advisor for a handful of organizations, including Ontic, and advises the FBI on strategic engagements. In 2018, he received the FBI Director’s Award for Exceptional Public Service.

Chris Rackow, VP, Global Security and Resilience Services, Google LLC 

Chris joined Google in 2016 as Vice President of Global Security and Resilience Services. He and his team are responsible for keeping Google’s offices, employees, and assets secure and resilient around the world. Prior to joining Google, he was the Chief Resilience Officer for AECOM. Chris previously served as the VP for Corporate Security at ABB Inc., as a Special Agent i n the FBI, and as a U.S. Navy SEAL Officer. He earned a Bachelor of Science i n Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University, and a Master of Global Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

This session was originally presented 14 May 2026.

Session open to CSO Center Members Only. Please be sure you are fully logged in once on this page to access the registration button. For more information about the CSO Center or for assistance, please contact [email protected].

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