Gary Gardner named recipient of the NCS4 Cornerstone Award

HATTIESBURG, Miss.—The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has announced that Gary Gardner will be recognized as the third-ever Cornerstone Award recipient at the 2025 National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition.

Gardner will be recognized at the 2025 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition during the awards luncheon at the conference, taking place June 30-July 2 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in Texas.

The Cornerstone Award recognizes individuals who have played an integral role in the foundation of the NCS4 and/or provided leadership in the development and growth of NCS⁴ programs.

“From the very beginning, Gary has been an integral part of our organization. He has been a steady foundation on which so much of our success has been built,” said Lauren Cranford, NCS4 director of operations. “His dedication and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in shaping our mission and guiding our growth. The Cornerstone Award honors not only his service but the profound and lasting impact he has made on our organization and its future.”

Gardner is a highly accomplished security expert with more than 40 years of experience in investigative security, intelligence, crisis management, and event risk mitigation. He spent more than three decades with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where he played a pivotal role in major investigations and crisis management operations.

Transitioning to the sports industry, Gardner served as NASCAR’s director of security, where he collaborated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop the first-ever large-event evacuation guide.

Currently, Gardner serves as the CEO of TotaleAccess and vice president of North America for InControl, where he leverages his expertise in security modeling and crowd management. Gardner has planned over 100 political, sports, and entertainment events and contributed to key industry safety guidelines, including assisting in the creation of the NCS4 Best Practices. Gardner is a decorated U.S. Army Ranger Vietnam veteran and a founding member of the NCS4.

“I am humbled and honored to be recognized by NCS4 for the Cornerstone Award. It has been my privilege to have served in an integral role with NCS4 since its inception as one of its original advisors,” said Gardner. “Due to the exceptional staff and individuals associated with NCS4 over the years, it has exceeded our original expectations, resulting in safer and more secure events. Thanks for the incredible honor, and I am grateful for the 16-year ride!”

Click here for more information about the conference and to register. Click here for more information about the awards.