Remembering Gus Downing: A Loss Prevention Pioneer

It is with heavy hearts that we at Agilence mourn the passing of Gus Downing, a true luminary in the loss prevention (LP) and asset protection (AP) industry. Gus passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 5th, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, dedication, and innovation that shaped the LP community for decades. 

Gus Downing was a pioneer whose influence helped transform the industry. As the co-founder and President of Downing & Downing, Inc., Gus led the way in executive search and consulting, helping retailers staff over 2,800 LP executives and building out LP departments across the country. Over 33% of senior leaders in the Top 100 Retailers owe their positions to Gus’s vision and expertise. 

In 2010, Gus launched The D&D Daily, a premier daily digital news source for retail LP/AP and IT security. The D&D Daily aggregates and reports critical industry news from over 2,500 sources and has become a cornerstone for LP professionals, offering insights and information essential for protecting their businesses and communities. Dozens of LP professionals have been leaving comments sharing stories, praise, and condolences on the LinkedIn announcement of Gus’s passing by The D&D Daily. 

“Since the very early days of Agilence, we recognized the impact of Gus’s contributions to the loss prevention and asset protection community,” said Agilence CEO Russ Hawkins. “We are proud to have partnered with the D&D and look forward to supporting their mission going forward.” 

Agilence has had the privilege of collaborating with Gus and The D&D Daily for many years. Through this partnership, we have witnessed firsthand Gus’s unwavering commitment to advancing the industry and fostering a stronger, more connected LP community. His passion and leadership not only made a splash but changed the tide for countless professionals and organizations. 

As we remember Gus, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire D&D Daily team. We wish them continued strength and success as they carry forward the mission Gus passionately built. His legacy will undoubtedly live on through the ongoing work of The D&D Daily, continuing to educate, inform, and uplift the LP community. 

Rest in peace, Gus. Your contributions to the LP/AP community will not be forgotten.