Gérard KAAS, CEO, President & Founder

Gérard Kaas acquired a thorough understanding of the world of information systems and telecommunications through his experience at IBM, ITT, and Nortel Networks. As the Managing Director of Fichet Bauche Sécurité Electronique France, he added to his know-how in terms of security and formed Crystalid in 2002, followed by Checkphone.

Bruce Marrett, Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer, Bruce has the overall P&L responsibility and day to day management of the CheckPhone business. He has over 28 years’ business experience, with a major portion in the telecommunications industry with Nortel Networks. He was a partner and co-founder in the Canux Group, a Private Investment and Management Company. Prior to joining CheckPhone, Bruce was Co-Managing Director of a start-up Wireless Hosted Solutions business within Telcordia Technologies.

Bruce holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

Michael Hayes, Chief Technology Officer

Michael Hayes has 20 years plus experience in Technology fields related to Data, Wireless and Voice communications. Previously Michael has held numerous positions in CTO organizations, leading Network Architecture teams and Network Engineering organizations, plus General Manager of a number of Start-up and Services organizations in Wireless and Services.

Michael holds an MSc, Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University, and an MSc, Telecommunications Management (MBA) from Barry University.

Carolyn Ziegler, Vice President Global Marketing

Carol is responsible for worldwide marketing strategies for CheckPhone platforms, services and brand. She joined CheckPhone in July 2006, bringing extensive international experience, Marketing, Business Development, Product Management, Finance and partner management at Nortel Networks and 3D TGNT. Most recently before coming to CheckPhone, Carol was a consultant at n'Power Consulting LLC where she helped various clients in launching new businesses and increasing revenues.

Benjamin Calais, Director of Product Line Manager

A Master of Science graduate, Benjamin started his carrier in networks and security administration before joining CheckPhone. His mission in the company includes defining product requirements and roadmaps of the Checkphone products and solutions portfolio. It also includes the relationship with Checkphone technological partners to define and leverage the common marketplace offers.

Dominique LERAYER, Director OEM Account Management, Co Founder

Holding a degree in telecommunications engineering, Dominique Lerayer launched his career in 1994 at IDG Communications France, a press group that is the international publisher of Network World. He gained a foothold in the telecommunications industry in 1997 and joined Matra Communications. He then decided to continue his career development at Nortel Networks in 2000 before helping to form Checkphone in 2004.

Barbara Heitzner-Clark, Chief Financial Officer

Barb brings more than 18 years of financial experience with strong strategic planning and budgeting expertise. She joined PROCTOR & GAMBLE INC’S. finance team in 1988 in support or their Health & Beauty Care division and Treasury Operations. In 1991, she made a move to Nortel Networks where for 14 years, she held various positions in the financial field including Sales Support, Mergers and Acquisitions and HQ FP&A while located in Canada; and then in Global Wireless finance, R&D and Control after re-locating to the U.S. in 1998. Her last position at Nortel before joining CheckPhone was Director, Finance – Wireless Operations.

Barbara Heitzner-Clarke holds a Masters in Business Administration, Finance Major from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario, in London.

Stéphane Valette, VP Europe

Stéphane is responsible for overseeing CheckPhone’s overall sales operations in France. Before joining CheckPhone, Stéphane held various positions with Morse, serving as Managing Director and Services Director. From 2000 until 2002, Stéphane was Director of Operations of Matra Nortel Communications Distribution before joining Global S.A. as Director of the Telecoms/Software/Integration Division.

Stéphane holds an M.A. in Economics and IT (MIAGE – Maîtrise d’Informatique Appliquée à la Gestion).

Marco Marchetti, Director of Professional Services

F. Marco Marchetti is responsible for CheckPhone’s Professional Services in North America. He joined CheckPhone in January 2007, bringing extensive experience in systems security engineering, product development, and product management. Prior to joining CheckPhone, Marco was a partner and co-founder of NKN Consulting, a security audit consulting firm, and a Research Associate Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at Southern Methodist University at Dallas with research activities in application security methods and tools; process security methodologies, and secure network and communication protocols. His experience includes 20 years at Nortel Networks where he managed software development programs for wireless products, was development prime for terrestrial gateways to deliver IP-based services over satellite, including network operations and gateway network security architecture.

He holds Patents on fixed-cellular, wireless services, PCS services, and TCP/IP-based broadband services over satellites. He is also a certified Systems Security Engineering appraiser through the International Systems Security Engineering Association (ISSEA) which governs the SSE-CMM (ISO/IEC 21827) standard. He received his Ph.D. from Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada.

Andy Howard, US Sales, VP

Andy is responsible for overall sales and distribution in United States. Before joining Checkphone, Andy was Sales Director for Sipera Systems and spent 12 years at Nortel Networks in Europe and North America in both the carrier and enterprise markets. As VP of sales at Nortel, Andy introduced a number of key programs to develop Nortel’s distribution relationships with its channels. A fellow of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (London), Andy is leading the development of sales through partners and channels in USA.

Andy holds a Bachelor of Science degree for Business Management (Bristol University)