Sonavation Activates International Brain Trust to Harness Disruptive Technology

Strategic Advisory Board Comprised of International Security Leaders Across Public and Private Sectors, Including Karl Frederick Rauscher and Michael Chertoff


PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL--(Marketwired - Jul 6, 2015) - Sonavation, a pioneer in biometric ultrasound technology for digital security and other applications, today announced members of the company's new Strategic Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB intensifies the company's focus in the critical dimensions of business strategy, technology strategy and market sector prioritization. The SAB and its members are installed and appointments are effective immediately.

Karl Fredrick Rauscher is the architect of the Strategic Advisory Board and serves as its Chairman. Rauscher serves as ambassador-at-large for cyberspace policy at the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He previously served as CTO and distinguished fellow of the EastWest Institute, where he led the first track II China-U.S. and Russia-U.S. bilaterals on cyber security. Rauscher is a Bell Labs Fellow and has held numerous advisory positions for industry and governments around the world.

Alongside Rauscher, Michael Chertoff, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will serve as a member of the Strategic Advisory Board. Chertoff is the founder of the Chertoff Group, which provides high-level strategic counsel to corporations and governments on a broad range of security issues, as well as identifying and investing in early stage technology companies.

Karl Weintz, Sonavation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Digital security is constantly changing and threatened, and here at Sonavation we have a central commitment to ensure that our products effectively address these threats to both enterprises and consumers alike. With the collective counsel of the Strategic Advisory Board, we're looking forward to their insight, combined with our own expertise, to build a secure and safer future for all."

Chertoff pointed out that "The 'who am I dealing with?' question is central for both consumers and commercial enterprises interacting in cyberspace and they need better solutions than are available today."

Rauscher, who is also a member of the Board of Directors, observed, "Sonavation's technology is an elegant dance between physics and humanity. This ultrasonic interface with human tissue, coupled with its low energy consumption, low profile and versatility, is a disruptive technology whose arrival is superbly timed with a marketplace ready for appreciating its value. The selection of each individual was a deliberate move to convert this potential to maximum market impact."

"It is fascinating to see the exciting applications for this technology in so many industries: mobile communications, medical devices, physical security and government," commented SAB member Didier Verstichel, former chief risk officer and former chief compliance officer of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT). "It will be very interesting to see how we can support the financial services sector amidst the present introduction of digital wallets."

"Sonavation is delighted to include on its team these world-class advisors that extend the company's scientific and business competencies," noted Ilene Grimes, Senior Vice President of Marketing.

Additional appointments to Sonavation's Strategic Advisory Board include the following:

  • Tam Hulusi
    Dr. Hulusi is a principal of Mycroft LLC, a technology strategy and innovation consulting group. He most recently served as Senior Vice President, Strategy & Innovation at HID Global. Prior to HID, he was President of SMF Systems Technology Corp., a leading small-business Federal Government IT services provider, President of Newmark Technology Inc., an early stage RFID asset tracking company, as well as a senior post at Honeywell (Ademco).

  • Timothy Stratford
    Stratford is a Managing Partner at Covington & Burling LPP's Beijing office and a member of the International Trade, Corporate and Government Affairs Practice Groups, where he advises clients doing business in China and Chinese companies seeking to expand their businesses globally. From 2005-10, he served as the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for U.S.-China trade relations. Other than this period, he has lived in the greater China region since 1982, serving as General Counsel for General Motors' China operations and Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

  • John Boyd
    Boyd recently served as the Director of the Department of the U.S. Navy's Identity Management Capability in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. As the technology lead for Identity Management in the maritime domain, he led solution development efforts in biometrics and forensics for strong identification of personnel. He spent 12 of his 26 years on active duty serving in four nuclear-powered submarines, qualifying for command in 1992. He has supported the Joint Requirements Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense, leading information systems requirements generation and resource efforts.

  • Alex Rosal
    Rosal is an entrepreneur in the financial, identity management and mobile payments markets. He is the Chairman and CEO of Securtech LLC, which integrates software solutions, biometrics and customized hardware to combat cyber-fraud. Prior to this, Rosal served as COO for Tech Imagine, where he was instrumental in the innovation and implementation of new technology designed to simplify business processes. He has extensive experience in the European, North and Latin American and Caribbean financial markets.

  • Sultan Meghji
    Sultan Meghji, founder and Managing Partner at Virtova, is an international advisor to large enterprises, private equity firms and governments. Meghji has led innovation, development and commercialization in advanced technologies, life sciences, cyber security and financial services. Throughout his career, he has served in senior business and technology leadership and consulting positions at organizations including ABN AMRO, American Express, Monsanto, United Airlines and more.

  • Jim Cable
    Having served for more than 18 years as CEO, president and board chairman of Peregrine Semiconductor, a provider of high-performance radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), Cable brings a wealth of experience in creating products to solve emerging and constantly changing market demands. Prior, Cable has served in multiple managerial positions at both the Hughes Microelectronics Center and Hughes Technology Center, as well as 14 years at Technology Integration.

  • Stephen Sadove
    Sadove is the Principal at Stephen Sadove and Associates, and most recently served as Chairman and CEO at Sak's 5th Avenue, leading the retailer to become one of the luxury sector's most advanced websites. He also recently served as the Chairman of the (U.S.) National Retail Federation. Earlier in his career, he was president of Clairol, as well as the president of worldwide beauty care and nutritionals at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he was instrumental in selling Clairol to Procter & Gamble. Currently Sadove is adviser to several companies focused on introducing innovative technology to the marketplace, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamilton College and serves on the board of directors of Colgate-Palmolive, J.C. Penney, Aramark and Ruby Tuesday.

  • Guang Yang
    Yang is Founder and CEO of Finergy Capital, a Beijing-based private equity fund. He is also a Partner of Nicklaus-China, which aids in the strategic, comprehensive and responsible growth of golf in China. Yang was previously a Fund Manager and Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst for Templeton Global Equities. Earlier in his career he was a Research Scientist at Harvard Medical School and at Massachusetts General Hospital.

To learn more about Sonavation, please visit www.sonavation.com.

About Sonavation
The Sonavation product line is designed to provide secure authentication and protection for digital and physical environments for consumers and businesses. Solutions include both embedded and stand-alone device offerings designed to protect physical access as well as online systems, including: eCommerce, financial services, health data and other sensitive applications.

Sonavation designs and manufactures the industry's leading biometric fingerprint sensors, utilizing ultrasound. Its 3D surface scan and sub-surface technology is protected by 41 awarded patents plus over 70 additional patents filed, making it the world's smallest low-power ultrasound sensor. Headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Sonavation is committed to "Empowering Trust, Delivering Peace of Mind." For more information, please visit www.sonavation.com.

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