BIO-key Names Former Experian Executive Barbara Rivera as Chief Operating Officer to Manage the Anticipated Ramp Demand for Its Fingerprint Biometric Solutions
WALL, NJ--(Marketwired - Aug 23, 2016) - BIO-key International, Inc. (OTCQB: BKYI), an innovative provider of biometric software and hardware solutions for stronger user authentication, announced today the appointment of Barbara Rivera as Chief Operating Officer, a new position at the Company. Ms. Rivera possesses substantial expertise, a broad base of technology industry relationships, and a record of accomplishment at some of the world's largest technology service providers, with particular insight on security and authentication issues. She will be responsible for overseeing business operations with a focus on marketing as well as product development, in support of the company's growth initiatives. Ms. Rivera previously served on BIO-key's Board.
For more than 30 years, Ms. Rivera has demonstrated her management and leadership skills in developing new markets. Most recently, as President & General Manager of the U.S. Public Sector Division of Experian North America, her efforts regularly addressed key issues around Multi-Factor Authentication, Fraud and Healthcare which complement BIO-key's focus. She was instrumental in establishing new accounts with Federal customers, including the Department of Defense, the Justice Department and Department of Education, as well as New York City. Prior to Experian, she held senior management positions at L-3 Communications, SAP America and Oracle Corporation, having launched her technology career at IBM's Data Processing Division.
BIO-key's Chairman & CEO Michael DePasquale commented, "We know first-hand that Barbara brings deep expertise and an ideal skill set to hit the ground running in her COO role. She is a proven strategist and change agent with valuable experience in operations management, as well as advancing business with key enterprise and government accounts. We believe that her expertise will strengthen our collective efforts to expand BIO-key's business, and we welcome her back to the company in a senior management role."
Ms. Rivera commented, "Given the breadth of security failures and related liability and regulatory mandates, there has never been a more opportune time to drive broad-scale adoption of biometric technologies. I know from experience that BIO-key is well positioned to play a leadership role in the security industry, and I'm excited to play a role in steering the company toward profitable growth."
Ms. Rivera earned her B.S. degree in Mathematics and Education from University of Massachusetts, earned an MBA from Howard University, and was named to the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. She also earned a certificate in Global Leadership Development from Insead University in France.
Retirement of Director Charles Romeo
Separately, BIO-key also announced the retirement of Director Charles Romeo who has served on the Company's Board for over ten years. Mr. Romeo retired from the Board solely for personal reasons. Mr. Romeo joined BIO-key as Vice President of Sales in its Public Safety Division in 2004 and served in that capacity until his appointment as a Director in 2005.
Mr. DePasquale, commented, "On behalf of BIO-key and our Board, we express our sincere gratitude to Charles for his committed service to BIO-key over more than a decade. He was a valued leader and contributor to the Board, its deliberations and decision-making, and we wish him all the best."
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