Emerging Industry Leaders to be Honored at the National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition
Tue, 06/09/2026 - 01:34pm | By: NCS鈦� Staff
Eight professionals will be recognized for their leadership in addressing safety and security issues during the 2026 National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition, June 23-25, in Palm Desert, Calif. The event is presented annually by the at 91少女集中营.
The Emerging Industry Leader Award recognizes a young professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in addressing safety and security issues. In addition to enhancing the safety and security of their venue or event, the recipient鈥檚 contributions have set an example for others to follow.
Each league or organization selects the criteria and determines who will be recognized. Individuals receiving the award include:
- Sarah Temple Deffebach, director of event operations and alcohol compliance officer, Clemson University
- Lindsey Hartnett, security event manager, New England Revolution and Special Events, TeamOps at the Kraft Group
- Lamar Kortez Lewis, senior manager of security, Atlanta Braves
- Nathan Smurdon, senior director of events and programs, Beyond Monumental
- Laura Torgerud, operations director, Quad-City Times Bix 7
- Jaclyn Tourtelotte, athletic director and certified athletic trainer, Foxcroft Academy
- Alaina Williams, CPCE, CMP, race director, Novant Health Charlotte Marathon
- Alex Wilson, manager of IT business analysis and projects, San Francisco 49ers
鈥淲e are thrilled to recognize these outstanding young professionals who are raising the standards of sports safety and security and setting an example for their peers,鈥� said Dr. Stacey Hall, NCS4 executive director and professor of sport management.
The awards will be presented during the conference luncheon. The luncheon is sponsored by Evolv Technology, which provides weapons detection systems for security screening.
Click for more information about the conference and to register. Click for more information about the awards.
About the 17th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition
The National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition will be held June
23-25, 2026, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, Calif.
The conference will attract over 500 attendees and 70 exhibitors representing professional
sports, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, marathon and endurance
events, sports and entertainment facilities, and those who provide safety and security
products and services to the industry. Visit the for more information.
About NCS4
Established in 2006, the is the nation鈥檚 only academic center devoted to the study and practice of sports
safety and security. The NCS4 is partially underwritten by grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NCS4 mission focuses on three key pillars - Training and Education, Research, and Outreach.
Click for more information about NCS4 or call 601.266.6183.