Barbara Rivera named BIO-key`s Chief Operating Officer

BIO-key International has appointed Barbara Rivera as Chief Operating Officer, a new position at the company.

She will be responsible for overseeing business operations with a focus on marketing and product development, in support of the company’s growth initiatives. Ms. Rivera previously served on BIO-key’s Board.

According to a company statement, 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. Most recently, as President & GM of the U.S. Public Sector Division of Experian North America. 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.

“We know first-hand that Barbara brings deep expertise and an ideal skill set to hit the ground running in her COO role,” commented BIO-key’s Chairman & CEO Michael DePasquale. “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.”

“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,” commented Ms. Rivera. “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.

In other company news, BIO-key announced the retirement of Director Charles Romeo who has served on the Company’s Board for over ten years. 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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appointments  |  biometrics  |  fingerprint biometrics  |  Mike DePasquale