Biometrics industry expert Eric Hess joins SAFR executive team

Feb 11, 2020, 5:54 pm EST | Stephen Mayhew

Biometrics industry expert Eric Hess joins SAFR executive team

SAFR from RealNetworks announced the appointment of Eric Hess as Senior Director of Product Management. Hess is expected to lead product strategy and will be responsible for global expansion and acceleration of the core SAFR application, focusing on the public safety and gaming markets.

An expert in the use of video analytics and facial recognition technologies for criminal investigations, surveillance, loss prevention, and identity solutions, Hess joins SAFR from Idemia where he was Senior Director of Video Analytics. He also held senior sales and product management positions at MorphoTrak, and NEC’s Global Center of Excellence for Face Recognition. As a former Port of Seattle police officer, Hess brings a unique understanding of the goals and challenges of law enforcement and public safety customers.

As a recognized industry expert, Hess has spoken at a number of law enforcement and industry events, including Interpol, the Law Enforcement Video Association International (LEVA), the International Association for Identification (IAI), King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and, most recently, at the U.S. Secret Service’s Electronic Crimes Task Force in Oakland, California.

“We are very pleased to welcome Eric to the SAFR team,” says Dan Grimm, Vice President and General Manager of Computer Vision at RealNetworks. “He brings a unique mix of operational experience, technical background and business acumen to ensure the successful adoption of facial recognition and video analytics across wide-ranging commercial and public safety projects.”

“I am excited to join SAFR at a time when computer vision solutions are truly gaining momentum,” adds Hess. “Advances in machine learning and cost reductions in computing power enable SAFR to bring solutions to public safety and commercial markets not previously served — improving school safety, enhancing security for public transportation and air travel, and reducing risk and liability for commercial venues where society gathers. Facial recognition can be a force for good and can be applied to help make life safer and more convenient.”