Aluma CEO awarded 2026 Friends of NCS4 Award by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security
Aluma CEO awarded 2026 Friends of NCS4 by The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security.
Akmal Ali, J.D., Founder and CEO of Aluma and inOrbit, was named a recipient of the Friends of NCS4 Award, presented by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the 17th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition, held June 23-25, 2026 in Palm Desert, California.
The Friends of NCS4 Award recognizes professionals whose contributions have been invaluable to the advancement of the Center. Recipients are nominated directly by NCS4 staff for playing an integral role in the Center's training, research and outreach programs, a distinction separate from NCS4's Technology Alliance recognition Akmal received the year prior.
Akmal was honored alongside three other recipients:
Rick Findlay, Deputy Chief of Police (ret.), Salt Lake City Police Department
Joe Monroe, Chief of Police, University of Kentucky
Nick Nicholson, Chief Operations Officer, Aslan Leadership Strategies
"We are grateful to each of these recipients for the invaluable leadership and assistance they provide," said Lauren Cranford, MPH, CHES, NCS4 director of operations. "They have each gone above and beyond in helping us to further the mission of NCS4."
The recognition reflects Akmal's continued work alongside NCS4, drawing on his background as former Deputy Director of DHS's Office of SAFETY Act Implementation to help professional sports leagues, venue operators and public safety agencies strengthen their security programs through the SAFETY Act and related risk management practices, work carried out through Aluma's consulting practice and inOrbit's security program management platform.
CONFERENCE INFO:
NCS4 2026 Friends of NCS4 Award Announcement
