SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Vidient Systems, Inc., a developer of behavior recognition software that makes video surveillance cameras (CCTV) more accurate and cost effective, today announced that Dr. Sergio Magistri has been appointed to the Vidient Systems board of directors. From 1992 until 2004 Dr. Magistri was the president and CEO of InVision Technologies, Inc., the leading supplier of explosive detection systems (EDS) used to screen checked luggage in major airports around the world.
Having recently announced expanded capabilities for its Vidient SmartCatch 2.5 flagship product, which is now in use at several international airports including those in San Francisco, San Diego and Salt Lake City, and was recently selected for use at the Tallahassee Regional Airport, Vidient Systems is in a period of strategic growth and is expanding its board of directors. Dr. Magistri will contribute broad insight into establishing leadership in the global aviation industry with new security technologies.
"Much remains to be done to address the security needs of corporate and government facilities and major transportation hubs around the world," said Dr. Magistri. "Vidient is uniquely positioned to play a leadership role as it continues to develop increasingly advanced video solutions that address pressing security concerns today and well into the future."
Dr. Magistri brings to the Vidient board 20 years of experience in technology management and development. He also brings more than a decade of insight into the civil aviation market and experience working with the associated US and international regulatory agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Homeland Security Department (HSD).
"Dr. Magistri has tremendous technical, operational and regulatory experience in government and transportation markets," said Brooks McChesney, founder, CEO and president of Vidient Systems, Inc. "His insight will be invaluable as we continue to expand our global presence and enhance our SmartCatch platform to meet today's most demanding and complex security environments."
Dr. Magistri was president and CEO of InVision Technologies for 12 years, from startup, through IPO, to its acquisition by General Electronic Company in 2004. His in-depth expertise in security technology for civil aviation environments includes his leadership of InVision when it received its first FAA certification for its EDS product in 1994. In addition, Dr. Magistri led InVision through a massive ramp-up to support the 2001 Aviation Improvement Act which mandated the screening of checked baggage for all commercial air travel.
Dr. Magistri's management experience includes guiding InVision from a staff of 20 researchers when he joined the company in 1992 to more than 1,000 employees worldwide in 2004. In addition to his expertise in EDS, Dr. Magistri has extensive experience in high-precision tooling equipment and medical imaging. Additionally, in 2001, Dr. Magistri served on the Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force on Aviation Security, was named 2003 National Entrepreneur of the Year in the Defense and Security Category by Ernst & Young and he holds a diploma in electrical engineering and a doctorate in biomedical engineering, both from the Swiss Institute of Technology in Zurich.
As a member of the Vidient Systems board of directors, Dr. Magistri joins board members Brooks McChesney; George Hoyem, general partner of Blueprint Ventures; Peter Meekin, general partner of Trident Capital; Masaru Sakamoto, assistant general manager of corporate strategy and business development of NEC USA; and Skip Glass, venture partner at Canaan Partners. Canaan was the lead investor on Vidient's recent $12-million Series B round of funding which also included the company's initial investors noted above.
Earlier this Fall, Vidient SmartCatch 2.5 was the recipient of the Frost & Sullivan Product Innovation Award for 2005. For more information about Vidient Systems, Inc., see www.vidient.com.
