Board of Directors
Mr. Mears is a Leidos Vice President and Tech Fellow, responsible for technology advocacy, independent R&D, strategy development, operational technology insertion, new business, and STEM / academic relationships. Previously, Mr. Mears was a Senior Fellow and prior Director of Biometrics and Identity Management. Research initiatives included the rapid DNA identification program, advanced latent print imaging, and genomic forensics. His current focus is cloud-based national scale biometric systems, biometric entry/exit, border security, immigration reform and transformational technologies. Mr. Mears began his career with the IBM Corporation in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he held a number of increasingly responsible technical and management positions, including lead engineer for the world-wide satellite tracking stations of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Mr. Mears holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida. He is an Associate Member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, member of the Biometrics Institute, and a Director of the International Biometrics and Identity Association (IBIA).
Michael W. DePasquale, has served as Chief Executive Officer of BIO-key International since January 3, 2003, and Chairman of the Board since January 29, 2014. Mr. DePasquale has more than 30 years of executive management, sales and marketing experience in the technology space. Prior to joining BIO-key Mr. DePasquale served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Prism eSolutions, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based provider of professional consulting services and online solutions for ISO-9001/14000 certification for customers in manufacturing, healthcare and government since February 2001. From December 1999 through December 2000, Mr. DePasquale served as Group Vice President for WRC Media, a New York-based distributor of supplemental education products and software. From January 1996 until December 1999, Mr. DePasquale served as Senior Vice President of Jostens Learning Corp., a California-based provider of multimedia curriculum. Prior to Jostens, Mr. DePasquale held sales and marketing management positions with McGraw-Hill and Digital Equipment Corporation. Mr. DePasquale earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He serves on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of the International Biometrics and Identification Industry Association.
Donnie Scott has more than 15 years as a top-producing executive leader in the technology services industry. He has lead high-achieving teams to record growth (8%+ CAGR) in declining or flat market conditions. Mr. Scott is renowned as a high-energy, passionate and charismatic leader with strong acumen for operational leadership at executive level. Across U.S. Public Sector and Intelligence Community (IC), He is recognized as a bold, strategic leader that has demonstrated the ability to turnaround underperforming teams and inspire greatness.
Mr. Deep Bhatia, is a Director Product Manager at Qualcomm. Mr. Bhatia has been with Qualcomm for over 16 years and has an extensive career in in Strategic Planning, Product Management, Business Development, Customer Relationship Management, Engineering Management, R&D, P&L Management, Negotiations, Operations, and Manufacturing.
Robert A. Eckel is Chief Executive Officer and President of Aware, Inc. Mr. Eckel also serves as a strategic advisory board member of Evolv Technology, and as a consultant for Digimarc Corporation. Over his distinguished career, he has held many positions of note within the biometric and identity space, including: Regional President and Chief Executive Officer of IDEMIA’s NORAM Identity & Security division from 2017 to 2018; President and Chief Executive Officer of MorphoTrust USA, LLC from 2011 to 2017; Executive Vice President and President of the Secure Credentialing Division of L-1 Identity Solutions Company from 2008-2011; and President of the Identity Systems division of Digimarc Corporation from 2005 to 2008. Mr. Eckel received his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California Los Angeles, and his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut.
Dr. Kathleen L. Kiernan is President of NEC National Security Systems (NSS). Dr. Kiernan will execute the company’s vision of providing world-class biometric and identity, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and computer vision applications for federal government agencies in defense, intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security agencies. A 29-year veteran of Federal Law Enforcement, Dr. Kiernan is a recognized expert in strategic thinking, strategy development, and facilitating critical incident management exercises across government and private sector organizations. She is the founder and CEO of Kiernan Group Holdings (KGH), a women-owned global consulting firm specializing in intelligence, law enforcement and national security. Previously, she served as the Assistant Director for the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Dr. Kiernan has developed and trademarked four approaches to complex national-level issues (Fuciferi Versuiti®, Emerging Technology Innovation CenterTM, PWP®and G.O.T. Preparedness®). She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Security Today Platinum Award for Best Educational Program in Homeland Security in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. She is also an adjunct faculty member of the Johns Hopkins School of Education and the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School. Dr. Kiernan holds a Doctor of Education from Northern Illinois University, a Master’s Degree in International Transaction from George Mason University, and a Master’s of Science from Joint Military Intelligence College.
Leads all aspects of the HID Global biometrics business for U.S. Federal, State, Local, and Canadian markets including go-to-market strategies and execution, program capture and revenue goal achievement, industry association engagement, and government affairs strategies.
Mohammed Murad is the Vice President of Sales and Business Development and a Board of Director for Iris ID Systems. Highly accomplished international business and technical leader with exceptional decision-making skills; able to take charge to facilitate directives that achieve strong, sustainable results. Offer a unique combination of market knowledge and leadership experience within global identity management industries. Extensive experience providing strategic solutions to multinational commercial and government clients. Involved in establish and implement company’s strategic plan, build alliances with major business partners and large systems integrators, manage sales, software product development, and marketing. Develop and execute company’s management strategy with focus on developing biometric identity solutions for emerging markets. He has been directly involved in secure and implementing some of the largest iris biometric business system in the world. 1. Andhra Pradesh, India, 60 million people welfare program 2. India, 1.2 billion people UIDAI program 3. Mexico, 110 million people National ID program 4. Qatar Immigration and border control, 20 million plus Additionally, Mr. Murad serves as an advisor on the Secutronic board, the fastest growing security firm in Saudi Arabia. Having received a degree in Computer science and mathematics from the College of New Jersey, he has garnered extensive experience in technology on all ends, from development to product management, including over twelve years of experience with Iris Biometric Technology.
Neville Pattinson is the Head of Business Development and Strategic Marketing at Thales Group's Digital Identity & Security division’s Identity & Biometric Solutions team based in Austin, TX. Within that role he evangelizes the need to move to secure digital identity solutions to protect US Citizen’s identity and privacy. Neville is a leading expert and thought leader on digital identity solutions such as smart cards, electronic passports, various biometric technologies and mobile digital identity to keep identity credentials secure, private and trusted.
