Excellence is built on integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to service. Every day, Tarian security professionals embody these principles leading with expertise, protecting with vigilance, and building trust within the communities we serve.
The Tarian Annual PROTECT Awards honor those who go above and beyond. These individuals set new standards, inspire their teams, and strengthen the core of our mission.
A Year Defined by Remarkable Achievement
Managers, colleagues, and clients submitted more than 300 nominations highlighting powerful stories of dedication, courage, and extraordinary service.
Through a rigorous, unbiased review focused on achievements, character, and alignment with our core values, we selected 54 finalists. We then chose 12 exceptional winners of our PROTECT Awards.
These nominations reflect the spirit of our PROTECT values:
- Professionalism – Bringing expert knowledge and consistent excellence to every situation
- Responsiveness – Taking decisive action when moments matter most
- Observance – Recognizing risks, opportunities, and solutions before others see them
- Transparency – Communicating openly and honestly to strengthen trust
- Extraordinary Service – Surpassing expectations to support clients and colleagues
- Courtesy – Fostering a respectful, positive, and inclusive environment
- Trust – Serving with integrity and reliability, every day
2025 PROTECT Award Winners
These honorees exemplify the highest standard of service and the heart of Tarian’s mission.
- Amy Burdge — Amy demonstrates exceptional professionalism, adaptability, and reliability; her positive attitude and willingness to go above and beyond make her an invaluable asset.
- Holly Hanssel — Officer Hanssel Showed exceptional care and strong de-escalation skills with a behavioral health patient reducing strain on staff and ensured safety.
- Justin Miller — Officer Miller displayed professionalism and compassion during a passenger’s travel crisis, turning a stressful situation into a positive experience.
- Sharon Acker — Officer Acker acted with courage and quick thinking during a critical triage situation, mitigating risk and ensuring safety of everyone.
- Larry Hatch — Officer Hatch exemplifies calm under pressure and exceptional de‑escalation; she is a trusted partner to hospital staff and a natural leader.
- Gregory James — Officer James demonstrated compassion and professionalism during a tragic incident, ensuring dignity and safety for all involved.
- Melinda Parkhill — Just days into a new role, Supervisor Melinda Parkhill led a complex incident response, which included coordinating law enforcement, lockdowns, and multisite safety.
- Brett Petty — Officer Petty organized and supported a critical Code Pink drill on short notice; strengthened client trust through initiative and collaboration.
- Brian Jelte — Supervisor Jelte provided decisive leadership when a public figure arrived for emergency care, coordinating multi‑agency response and patient safety.
- Cynthia Dent — Supervisor Dent consistently goes above and beyond during staffing shortages while prioritizing officer safety with professionalism and care.
- Niyoltsoh Hornett — Officer Hornett acted with courage in the ER to prevent a prisoner from seizing a weapon, exemplifying life‑saving responsiveness.
- Shaun Reardon — Officer Reardon responded rapidly to a seizure outside a hospital entrance, securing the scene and protecting the patient from harm.
Tarian’s Highest Honors
- Supervisor of the Year: Melinda Parkhill — Supervisor Parkhill’s steady leadership, dependability, and dedication to clients and fellow team members make a real difference each day. She reliably sets the standard, elevates expectations, and leads with honesty and strong character.
- Security Officer of the Year: Gregory James — Officer James’ alertness, strong work ethic, and constant commitment to safety embody the heart of our mission. His dedication is evident in the confidence he earns and the uplifting impact he creates across his account.
Congratulations Everyone
To all winners and finalists: your dedication makes Tarian stronger.
To everyone who participated submitting nominations, sharing stories, or supporting colleagues, thank you. Your engagement makes this recognition meaningful.
Let’s continue to champion excellence, support one another, and celebrate the work that matters.
Congratulations to all our winners and finalists!