Former Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Louis Freeh Joins the Viisage Board of Directors; Freeh Brings 26 Years of Experience in Federal Law Enforcement to Viisage.BILLERICA, Mass. -- Viisage Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : VISG VISG Visually Impaired Support Group ) today announced that Louis Freeh, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), division of the U.S. Dept. of Justice charged with investigating all violations of federal laws except those assigned to some other federal agency. (FBI), has joined the Company's Board of Directors, effective immediately. Freeh brings 26 years of experience in federal law enforcement to his position on the Viisage Board, previously holding positions within the FBI and serving as a federal district court judge and federal attorney. He will remain on the Board of the combined company resulting from the pending merger between Viisage and Identix Incorporated (NASDAQ: IDNX IDNX Integrated Digital Network Exchange IDNX Integrated Data Network Exchange ), expected to close in the third quarter of 2006. "Louis' leadership in law enforcement, and the important role he has played for more than a quarter century in protecting citizens from crime, terrorism and fraud, is invaluable to our organization," said Bob LaPenta, Chairman of the Board of Viisage and Founder and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of L-1 Investment Partners. "His knowledge and perspective on the issues will help us to tap the full potential of our technology, evolving the process of credential issuance to a point that states can better protect their citizens, and agencies can more effectively meet critical federal security mandates. Louis Freeh, along with Admiral Jim Loy, George Tenet, Ambassador Robert Gelbard, and other distinguished directors, will provide the organization with unparalleled leadership and strategic direction as we pursue our goal of becoming the #1 identity solutions company in the world." President Clinton nominated Louis Freeh as the fifth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1993 where he served until 2001. During this time, Freeh was successful in modernizing and restructuring the FBI to better handle the dramatic changes that were occurring in crime, terrorism, and national security. He championed the cause of cooperative law enforcement action at all levels: local, state, federal, and foreign, and played an integral role in helping to keep the FBI at the forefront of investigative techniques, particularly in the use of advanced technologies to fight the evolving area of cyber-crime. Director Freeh also spearheaded the effort by law enforcement to ensure its ability to carry out court-authorized electronic surveillance in major investigations affecting public safety and national security in the face of telecommunications advances. Some of Director Freeh's most noteworthy accomplishments during this period were: --Established the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC (U.S. National Infrastructure Protection Center) Originally organized in response to Presidential Decision Directive 63 (PDD-63), functions of the NIPC were moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection (IAIP) Directorate. ) that monitors the dissemination of computer viruses, worms and other malicious programs and to warn the government and business computer users of these dangers. It relies on the assistance and cooperation of its partners including federal agencies, the private sector and state and local law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). . --Prepared the Economic Espionage Act (EEA EEA European Economic Area EEA European Environment Agency EEA Employment Equity Act (Canada) EEA Een En Ander (Dutch) EEA Erick van Egeraat Associated Architects EEA Energy and Environmental Analysis ) in 1996, a statute that makes the theft or misappropriation misappropriation n. the intentional, illegal use of the property or funds of another person for one's own use or other unauthorized purpose, particularly by a public official, a trustee of a trust, an executor or administrator of a dead person's estate, or by any of a trade secret a federal crime. The Act prescribes the various acts defined under economic espionage and addresses the U.S. national and economic aspects of crime. It also addresses the theft of trade secrets. --Architected the Healthcare Fraud Act that established and funded a national program to combat fraud and abuse committed against all health plans, both public and private. The Act helped coordinate federal, state and local law enforcement programs in order to control fraud abuse, conduct investigations, facilitate the enforcement of statutes and provide industry guidance and special fraud alerts. --Spearheaded the passage of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) is a United States wiretapping law passed in 1994 (Pub. L. No. 103-414, 108 Stat. 4279). In its own words, the purpose of CALEA is: CALEA Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1994 CALEA Communication Assistance to Low Enforcement Act ) in 1994 that authorized electronic surveillance capabilities for law enforcement. While Freeh served as FBI Director, the U.S. government reinforced its commitment to security and protection of its citizens. Recognizing that Human Intelligence (Humint) is becoming a critical element in defense of crime, terrorism and identity theft, Freeh increased the FBI budget by 58 percent and helped pass legislation that strengthened the nation's crime-fighting abilities, including instituting Anti-Terrorism laws. Prior to this position, Freeh served as the United States District Court United States District Court In the U.S., any of the 94 trial courts of general jurisdiction in the federal judicial system. Each state, as well as the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, has at least one federal district court. Judge for the Southern District of New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , an appointment made by President George Bush in 1991. From 1981-1991, Freeh was with the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York where he held several positions including Assistant United States Attorney United States Attorneys (also known as federal prosecutors) represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. , Chief of the Organized Crime Unit, Deputy United States Attorney, and Associate United States Attorney. Freeh began his career as an FBI Special Agent in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. in 1975. In his career as a civil servant, Freeh was recognized on several occasions for his exemplary accomplishments. He received the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service, the second highest annual honor given by the Department of Justice. Other commendations include the John Marshall Award for Preparation of Litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. , awarded annually by the Attorney General, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Award. "The causes of public safety and national security are ones that I have spent my career upholding and it is my privilege to continue this fight through the better application of technology in helping to protect our citizens," said Louis Freeh. "I believe that the use of biometrics will offer a better level of protection over personal identities and companies like Viisage will set the standard for homeland security." In addition to Viisage, Freeh also serves on the Board of Bristol-Myers Squibb. During the period of 2001-2006, Freeh served as the corporate secretary, ethics officer and general counsel for MBNA MBNA Monument Builders of North America MBNA Mercedes-Benz North America MBNA Maryland Bank, National Association MBNA Maryland Bank North America MBNA Mount Baker Nurses Association (Bellingham, Washington) Corporation. He currently serves as an independent consultant on legal and corporate affairs matters. About Viisage Technology, Inc. Viisage delivers advanced technology identity solutions for governments, law enforcement agencies and businesses concerned with enhancing security, reducing identity theft, and protecting personal privacy. Viisage solutions include secure credentials such as passports and drivers' licenses, biometric technologies for uniquely linking individuals to those credentials, and credential authentication technologies to ensure the documents are valid before individuals are allowed to cross borders, gain access to finances, or be granted other privileges. With more than 3,000 installations worldwide, Viisage's identity solutions stand out as a result of the company's industry-leading technology and unique understanding of customer needs. Viisage's product suite includes IdentityTOOLS(TM) SDK (Software Developer's Kit) See developer's toolkit and Windows SDK. SDK - Software Developers Kit (or "Software Development Kit"). , Viisage PROOF(TM), FaceEXPLORER(R), iA-thenticate(R), ID-GUARD(R), BorderGuard(R), PIER(TM), HIIDE HIIDE Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment (Marine Corps) (TM), AutoTest(TM), FacePASS(TM) and FaceFINDER(R). Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this document and those made from time to time by Viisage through its senior management are made pursuant to the safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to the future events or financial performance discussed in this release, based on management's beliefs and assumptions and information currently available. When used, the words "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "project", "should", "expect", "plan", "assume" and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concerning future plans or results are necessarily only estimates and actual results could differ materially from expectations. Certain factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among other things, the size and timing of contract awards, performance on contracts, performance of acquired companies, availability and cost of key components, unanticipated results from audits of the financial results of the Company and acquired companies, changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles The standard accounting rules, regulations, and procedures used by companies in maintaining their financial records. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) provide companies and accountants with a consistent set of guidelines that cover both broad accounting , outcomes of government reviews, developments with respect to litigation to which we are a party, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, dependence on large contracts and a limited number of customers, lengthy sales and implementation cycles, market acceptance of new or enhanced products and services, proprietary technology and changing competitive conditions, system performance, management of growth, dependence on key personnel, ability to obtain project financing Project financing A form of asset-based financing in which a firm finances a discrete set of assets on a stand-alone basis. , general economic and political conditions and other factors affecting spending by customers, and the unpredictable nature of working with government agencies. In addition, such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following risks: that the merger with Identix will not close, that the regulatory or shareholder approval will not be obtained, that the closing will be delayed, that customers and partners will not react favorably to the merger, integration risks, the risk that the combined companies may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies, and other risks described in Viisage's and Identix' Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC in connection with the transaction, Viisage's Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended December 31, 2005 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis Management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) A report from management to shareholders that accompanies the firm's financial statements in the annual report. It explains the period's financial results and enables management to discuss topics that may not be apparent in the financial of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and Identix' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2005 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 2005, December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006 under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Viisage expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements Additional Information and Where to Find It Investors and security holders of both Viisage and Identix are advised to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the business combination transaction referred to in the material below, when it becomes available, because it will contain important information. Viisage and Identix expect to mail a joint proxy statement/prospectus about the transaction to their respective stockholders. This joint proxy statement/prospectus will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by both companies. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by the companies at the Securities and Exchange Commission's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The joint proxy statement/prospectus and such other documents may also be obtained from Identix or Viisage by directing such requests to the companies. Participants In Solicitation Viisage, Identix and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the merger. Information concerning Viisage's participants is set forth in the proxy statement Proxy Statement A document containing the information that a company is required by the SEC to provide to shareholders so they can make informed decisions about matters that will be brought up at an annual stockholder meeting. dated, November 21, 2005, for Viisage's special meeting of shareholders held on December 16, 2005 as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A. Information concerning Identix' participants is set forth in the proxy statement, dated October 6, 2005, for Identix' 2005 annual meeting of shareholders as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A. Additional information regarding the interests of participants of Viisage and Identix in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the merger will be included in the registration statement and joint proxy statement/prospectus to be filed with the SEC. |
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