Aluf Holdings merger and acquisition strategy targets biometrics and blockchain enterprises

Apr 19, 2019 | Stephen Mayhew

Hollywood, Florida-based Aluf Holdings announced this week the addition of New York investment banker Richard Zytkowicz to its board of directors. Aluf is focused on biometrics and blockchain technologies and recently named a new board of directors to guide the company into its next generation of development. Aluf notes its initial market focus is on aviation, healthcare and government sectors and that the company has completed its preclosing process for finalizing a major acquisition in the biometrics space.

Zytkowicz is managing director for LM+Co Capital’s Corporate Finance practice, focusing on Mergers and Acquisitions, Capital Advisory, Financial Restructuring and Business Valuation services. He is registered as both a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor.

Ben Zandi, vice chairman of the board, says the addition of Zytkowicz is a key piece to Aluf’s market strategies. “Rick is an exceptional gain for our Board. He has more than 25 years of investment banking practice, including substantial M&A experience in highly dynamic and complex situations, including 363 transactions, representing both private and public companies.”

“I believe the company is well-positioned for growth in burgeoning biometrics, blockchain, software and hardware segments,” adds Zytkowicz. “I look forward to providing future strategic guidance.”

Zytkowicz joins 11 other recently appointed board members including chairman Donald Bennet, vice chairman and CEO of Fraport USA Ben Zandi, Aluf interim president and CEO and CFO Teresa McWilliams, CEO of Elias-Savion Advertising and VELOCITY World Media Philip Elias, founder and CEO of COLOTRAQ Dany Bouchedid, CEO of ChainNinja Lisa Marks-Canty, CEO of CogxVision Andrew Moore, co-founder and CEO of Cognistx Sanjay Chopra, co-founder and principal of BDIS Blaine Frederick, founder and CEO of Bradford Airport Logistics and Bradford Swissport Logistics Benjamin Richter, and Gary Morse, founder, president and chief cybersecurity consultant for Razorpoint Security Technologies.

“Our Board represents the top of the food chain in aviation, private equity, communications, artificial intelligence, biometrics and blockchain technologies,” says Bennet. “We are now in a strong position, backed by deep experience, to leverage our expertise for optimum shareholder value.”

“Biometrics is disruptive, transformative, and revolutionary,” adds Zandi. “When you combine the power and portability of these ultra-identification technologies with zero knowledge storage, encryption, privacy, security and trust available through blockchain, you have a solution that is game-changing. We’re going to be the ones that bring that to market.”