On the Move
IdentiSys Announces New President, COO
IdentiSys Inc. Vice President of Operations Debra R. Ferril has been promoted to president and COO of the company.
Ferril will replace Michael R. Shields, who will remain chairman and CEO of the company he founded in 1999. Ferril will be responsible for all operations, including sales, marketing, administration, service and support, as well as finance and strategic corporate functions.
Since joining IdentiSys in 2002, Ferril has established a distribution company, helped lead strategic acquisitions, including CompuCard and Southwest Datacom, and has been instrumental in delivering more than 20 percent annual revenue growth. After theacquisitions, she implemented a migration of five separate inventory and accounting systems into one enterprise system.
“We expect tremendous growth under Deb’s leadership,” Shields said. “She is uniquely qualified to guide our day-to-day operations. Deb has been successful in her ability to anticipate market trends and the needs of our customers. Under her direction, IdentiSys will continue to listen to our customers and have the flexibility and product lines to create customized solutions that meet their needs. This change, along with the recent addition of Joe Wright to head our sales organization, completes our management restructuring and positions IdentiSys for continued leadership in the identification industry."
Ferril has more than 30 years’ experience in sales, marketing, product development and accounting and more than 15 years’ experience in the identification industry. Prior to IdentiSys, Ferril spent 11 years at Datacard in various sales and marketing, roles including director of marketing for Datacard identification solutions, director of distribution development and global head of solution sales. Before Datacard, Ferril spent 14 years in sales and marketing at CPT Corp., a developer of desktop computing and office automation systems.
“I look forward to working closely with the talented IdentiSys personnel in sales, marketing, service, finance and administration to improve on our industry-leading position,” Ferril said. “And IdentiSys will continue to enhance our product and service offerings to meet our customers’ always-expanding requirements.”
Shields will concentrate on the company’s long-term business plan, including acquisitions and other forms of expansion. She also will lead corporate legal matters, be involved with key strategic vendor and customer relationships, and serve as a board member of the Identification Systems Group, a nationwide network of the leading suppliers for identification.
AMAG Technology Names Business Development Manager
AMAG Technology has recently named Jason Raptis as AMAG’s new business development manager. He will work exclusively with the PSA Security Network.
Raptis will work with the AMAG regional sales managers, supporting initiatives to promote the Symmetry Business Security Management solution, including Symmetry video, to PSA management and its members while developing a close working relationship with the PSA organization.
Raptis has almost 10 years’ security experience, most recently working for Integral Technologies as its strategic global accounts manager, where he developed relationships and negotiated agreements with large end users to standardize worldwide. While at Integral, Raptis also provided sales support to all sales channels, including distribution, PSA Security Network partners, national/strategic accounts and direct dealers.
“Symmetry Business is a robust, full-featured security management solution, and when combined with Symmetry Video, the solution is the best in the industry,” Raptis said. “I am looking forward to working with PSA and contributing to AMAG’s continued growth and success.”
“AMAG will look to Jason to implement compelling sales and marketing programs with PSA,” said Matt Barnette, vice president of sales for AMAG. “Jason is a strong addition to the AMAG Technology sales force and will be a valuable resource for the PSA membership.”
Fargo Announces Appointments
Fargo Electronics Inc., a producer of secure technologies for card identity systems, recently announced appointments in the company’s sales and marketing organization.
Steve Blake now heads the product marketing area, overseeing printer/encoders, software, systems, professional services and customer knowledge. Blake joined Fargo in March 2006 with 25 years of previous experience in the ID card industry.
Alan Fontanella now leads Fargo’s product marketing for secure materials, system peripherals/enhancements products and accessories. His management includes ribbons, inks, cards, overlaminates and visual security products. Fontanella has nine years of previous experience with Fargo, including positions in international sales, hardware product and materials management.
Charlie Ross, formerly Fargo’s Eastern U.S. sales manager, now directs all U.S. sales. Prior to joining Fargo in June 2006, Ross served as director of sales for Bankoe Co., a value-added reseller of infrastructure and security products, including card printers, ID badges and visitor management systems.
Optex Chooses Vice President of Sales
Jason Beardsley has recently joined Optex, a manufacturer of high-end infrared sensor technology, as vice president of sales, bringing nearly 10 years of industry experience to the position.
Beardsley joins Optex from A-1 Security Ltd. While branch manager at A-1, Beardsley developed and implemented sales strategies for increased profitability, customer service improvements and decreases in net attrition. He also is former regional sales manager for SDA Security Systems in San Diego.
“Jason’s track record of leadership in sales management and strategic planning make him the right person to help implement growth strategies for the new year,” said Optex President Jim Quick.
MAC Systems Adds Two Senior Account Executives
SecurityNet member MAC Systems has added two new senior account executives to its sales organization.
Adam Tawa, a former high-tech and telecommunications industry specialist, has held Northeast regional and national sales positions for Global Crossing Conferencing, Global Crossing Financial Markets and Masergy. At MAC Systems, Tawa will be responsible for new business acquisition in southeastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
With more than 18 years of experience in the high-tech and semiconductor industries, Bill McLaughlin has held positions as area sales manager, and most recently, Northeast regional sales manager at White Electronic Designs. McLaughlin’s sales responsibilities at MAC Systems will be to generate new business opportunities in northeastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
“We are pleased to welcome both Adam and Bill,” said Glenn Heywood, MAC Systems director of sales. “Their track record solving business problems, especially in the high-tech arena, will assist us in better serving our growing customer base. Our commitment now, and always, is to provide our customers with dependable, responsive sales and service support at the highest levels.
“Like many service companies in New England, our sales focus has traditionally been within the 495 belt. However, this decision to further expand our sales reach ensures the company’s position as the leading, independent, security systems integrator in the region.”
MIS/IT Manager Named at Dedicated Micros
Dedicated Micros Inc. recently announced hiringBonnie Custer as MIS/IT manager.
As a member of the senior executive staff, Custer will look to take thecompany’s network to the next level of infrastructure while assisting the sales force and marketing team by providing technical support for customers’ networked installations.
“As the technology becomes more integrated with the IT segment, we can give our customers added value by making the transition as seamless as possible,” Custer said.
Custer comes to Dedicated Micros from INDUS Corp., an IT service provider in Vienna, Va., where she served as the senior IT manager. Her senior-level background includes ERP system implementation, design and execution of call center and market research programs, and standardization and tracking of help desk requests.
“Bonnie brings more than 15 years experience as an information technology professional to Dedicated Micros,” said Dr. Alan E. Calegari, president and CEO of Dedicated Micros. “With the ever-growing convergence of security and IT technologies, now is the time for us to move IT from the more traditional internal support role to a customer-facing role in which we bring IT discussions to the table. Bonnie will address those customer concerns and enable the rest of our organization to execute proper solutions.”
SecuraKey Announces New Marketing Manager
Secura Key recently announced Bob Holland has been named marketing manager.
Holland will oversee Secura Key’s marketing and product management programs. Hebrings more than 24 years of industry experience in product management. Holland had worked for Secura Key previously as a product manager from 1994 to 1998.
“I was amazed at Secura Key’s progress in product development,” Holland said. “We have panels, software, a complete line of proximity readers and cards, a new line of contactless smart card readers and embedded RFID products. Secura Key also has in-house card manufacturing and printing capability for all the major card technologies. My challenge is to improve brand awareness for Secura Key and get this message out to the marketplace.”
Holland’s current priorities include a new ad campaign, expanded Web site and adding more products to the contactless smart card reader line. Prior to joining Secura Key, Holland had worked for HID Global and Cardkey Systems.
CFO/COO Chosen at Agent Video Intelligence
Agent Video Intelligence Inc., a producer of enterprise-grade video analytics, recently announced the appointment of Russel Salmon as CFO/COO.
“The addition of Russel Salmon as CFO and COO rounds out our leadership team as we expand our presence and capabilities as a global company,” said David Anthony, chairman of Agent Vi’s board of directors and managing partner of 21Ventures, the company’s lead investor. “Russel’s past experience and track record as both the financial and operations officer of global technology companies will provide the necessary leadership and expertise as Agent Vi seeks to capitalize on the increasing demand for intelligent enterprise-grade security solutions, especially in the United States and EMEA.”
Salmon brings more than 10 years of financial and operations management experience to Agent Vi. As CFO and COO, Salmon is responsible for all strategic and operational leadership and management of the company’s finance and administration, including financial planning and management, investment, tax and legal activities. He also will oversee the organization's contract administration and administrative operation, including IT, facilities and purchasing, logistics and human resources functions.
Salmon joins Agent Vi from Raytheon Israel where he served as CFO/COO for the past sixyears, successfully building the Israeli subsidiary for the U.S.-based corporation. Prior to Raytheon, he was financial controller at Paradigm Geophysical in Israel.
He will be based at Agent Vi’s Research and Development facility in Israel and will report to CEO Dieter Kondek.
AccessID Announces Western Regional Sales Manager
HID Global, a manufacturer in the access control industry, recently announced Dani Brunner, HID's mid-Atlantic regional manager for the installing channel, has accepted the newly created position of Western regional manager for the AccessID subsidiary of HID Global.
Reporting to Chris Sincock, vice president of business development, Brunner will be responsible for sales to the identification systems channel in all states West of the Mississippi River. By working with AccessID customers at all levels, Brunner will work to provide channel partners with additional resources for sales support and technical expertise.
Bringing almost a decade of experience in the access control industry to AccessID, Brunner will assist the company’s efforts to build a strong identification systems channel and market for secure, value-added credentials.
“I have enjoyed working with the integrator market since 1997. During this exciting time, we have seen the industry evolve. The future is bright for HID Global, and my new role will allow me to grow with the company,” Brunner said. “We will continue to strive to achieve your goals as a product solution provider.”
Prior to joining HID Global, Brunner was with Sonitrol Security and also held positions of increased responsibility at ASSA ABLOY USA.
Vicon Names New Territory Manager
Vicon Industries Inc., a designer and producer of video surveillance systems, recently announced the appointment of Vincent Erickson as Vicon’s new territory manager for Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Northwestern Wisconsin.
Most recently, Erickson was vice president of telematics for Criticom International Corp., where he was responsible for the design and integration of mobile GPS tracking and monitoring systems as well as alarm dispatch operations management and sales management.
Prior to his time with Criticom, Erickson was involved with manufacturing and technical support operations management for the ITI (now GE Interlogix) access control line of products.
“We are always on the lookout for talented individuals who bring valuable industry experience and knowledge to our team,” said Bret McGowan, vice president of U.S. sales and marketing at Vicon. “Vince’s experience in design, integration and manufacturing will benefit both our customers and partners.”
This article originally appeared in the March 2007 issue of Security Products.
About the Author
Brent Dirks is e-news editor for Security Products and Network-Centric Security magazine.