LP Leader's Touching Tribute to 'Uncle Gus' Downing

By Johnny "JC" Custer - Senior Director, Retail Risk Solutions - ThinkLP

I first met Gus Downing in the mid-1990s. It was a brief but memorable occasion. At that point, I had no idea that we would eventually be sitting together for holiday meals at the family dining room table.

Many in our industry today know Gus as the creator and President of the D&D Daily. We older folks, however, remember Gus as a second-generation LP professional, a HUGE personality, and the head of a team that essentially built and shaped the Loss Prevention industry in the '80s, '90s, and early '00s.

You see, Downing & Downing was THE Retail Loss Prevention recruiting firm during those years. Everyone knew Gus and his team. At one point, you couldn't find a retail LP team that didn't have at least one member (or leader) placed by D&D.

The entire team was legendary and in high demand—mainly because they were so in tune with what the industry both wanted and needed.

To be "anointed" or endorsed by Gus (or Chris, Gene, or Jacque, for that matter) was almost like receiving a seal of approval for many of us trying to advance our careers. To me, they seemed almost extraordinary, as though they could shape someone's career with a 30-second phone call.

(They probably could have!)

I was fortunate to live in the same neighborhood where their offices were located and lucky enough to be invited in for a meet-and-greet with Gene Smith, a legend in his own right.

Gene and I were having a very educational conversation (at least for me), and I quickly learned that I had a lot of work to do to be considered "endorsement ready" by him and the team. Gene was great, allowing our meeting to extend by more than an hour as he coached me on where I excelled and where I needed improvement.

Then Gus entered.

While I was in Gene's office with the door closed, Gus left his office and headed our way. I knew this because his deep, thunderous voice carried through the door as if it wasn't there at all. He walked into the office (without knocking) and started speaking directly to Gene about something when Gene politely interrupted him and said:

"Gus, I'd like you to meet Johnny Custer…"

Gus shook my hand vigorously, peered into my eyes, and told me to pay attention to everything Gene told me, assuring me that Gene would keep me on the "right path." He told Gene he'd catch up with him later and left the office. At the time, Gus struck me as highly intense and quite intimidating. It was a meeting I'll never forget. I listened closely and am happy and proud to say that Gene has been a trusted friend and mentor for nearly 25 years.

At the time, it felt like that would be my only interaction with Gus.

Some years later, my wife—my girlfriend at the time—asked me more about what I did for work. When I told her, she said, "I think my uncle is in that business too."

Guess who?

The next thing I knew, Gus Downing was sitting in my dining room eating Thanksgiving turkey!

I got to really know Gus after that. While we were "family," he always wanted me to know he was willing to help where he could—but that I had to "deserve" it. I had to work for it. He had spent too many years building a reputation and the D&D brand to risk it by supporting a young, cocky LP "cowboy."

He taught me about LP industry politics and the importance of learning the business side of LP, explaining how that would make me more valuable to organizations.

Whenever I screwed up (and it happened more than once), I got an unfiltered tongue-lashing, filled with swear words and cigarette smoke. But it always ended with helpful, actionable insights.

Slowly, I got to know the man behind the proverbial curtain. He was someone who never relied on past achievements. He was always pushing forward. I believe it was this sheer determination that led him to evolve D&D from "just" an LP recruiting firm to a daily retail and Loss Prevention news and information source that touched thousands of people every day.

Even then, he constantly checked in with me. "How did you like yesterday's Daily?" "What did you think of the article I wrote?" Or "the interview from last week?"

That said, he wasn't only asking me!

Gus became the consummate collaborator. He asked for input from everyone, not for the sake of asking, but because he genuinely wanted to deliver a product that everyone could benefit from. Whether you were a first-time store detective or a seasoned VP of LP, he wanted the Daily to provide value every single day.

Certainly, we've lost a cornerstone of our industry. But thanks to the hard work and foresight of Gus and his team, we have a strong foundation to build upon in 2025 and beyond. I know each new technology, technique, or success we create will make him smile.

Though—even when he smiles—I will always hear his baritone voice in my head saying, "Well, you got that part right, Johnny—but don't get cocky. There's still a lot of work to be done."

I and all of my colleagues at ThinkLP celebrate the memory of Gus Downing and his lasting impact on the industry we all love.

See you later, Uncle Gus. I have to get back to work.