The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named Dr. Elizabeth (Elli) Voorhees as its new director of education and training. In this role, Voorhees — who previously served as director of certifications and compliance for the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) — will drive all education and certification program activity for SIA and through SIA’s partners in support of the SIA membership and larger industry goals.

As director of education and training, Voorhees will spearhead the SIA Education@ISC conference programs for ISC West and ISC East and Certified Security Project Manager (CSPM) certification and expand SIA’s portfolio of key education, training and career development initiatives.

“The areas of education, training and certification have exponential growth potential in today’s rapidly evolving security industry,” Voorhees said. “I look forward to working with SIA’s global network of security professionals to develop educational programs and provide learning opportunities for SIA’s membership and the greater security industry.”

In her most recent role at NCS4, Voorhees led the Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP), Certified Sport Venue Staff (CSVS) and Sport Event Security Aware (SESA) certification and assessment programs; oversaw all aspects of program development, maintenance and compliance for individual and organizational performance assessment programs; and maintained accreditation through the American National Standards Institute for the CSSP certification program. She holds a Ph.D. in human capital development from the University of Southern Mississippi.

“Elli has an incredible understanding of proven methods for delivering exceptional learning and development content that will help professionals at all levels of security businesses become stronger contributors to their company’s success,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “Elli shares our vision to grow and expand SIA’s education offerings into a true SIA Center of Excellence that provides resources to address existing educational gaps while also preparing our members to stay ahead of future marketplace and technology trends.”