New York, NY, April 15, 2002–The Smart Card Alliance, a non-profit association working to accelerate the widespread adoption of multiple applications for smart card technology, announced today that Randy Vanderhoof has been named Acting President and CEO for the balance of the fiscal year ending August 31st. Mr. Vanderhoof, a former Smart Card Alliance Board member and Assistant Secretary on the Executive Board, had recently been serving as a consultant to the Smart Card Alliance. The Smart Card Alliance Board of Directors is currently conducting a search for a permanent President and CEO.

“Randy’s experience in the smart card industry and with the Alliance make him the ideal interim leader. We are fortunate to have someone who can step in immediately and manage the upcoming high impact Alliance programs that are focused on educating the market on the value of smart card technology,” said Paul Beverly, Chairman of the Smart Card Alliance. “Randy has made significant contributions since joining the Alliance team in January, and we expect him to continue that success in the months to come.”

Mr. Vanderhoof has already had an active role in the Smart Card Alliance since January, 2002. He organized the successful February conference in Austin, TX, which attracted over 200 attendees for a three-day event focused on secure personal identification and next generation payment technologies.

Under Mr. Vanderhoof’s leadership, the Smart Card Alliance will be undertaking a number of activities with the smart card industry and the IT community in mind. The Smart Card Alliance’s Digital Security Initiative will soon be unveiling a host of new resources for IT security decision makers, including white papers and case studies on using smart cards to secure digital networks. Later, the Secure Personal ID task force will release a new report on smart cards and biometrics, one of the hottest topics currently in the industry. Finally, Mr. Vanderhoof is finalizing the Smart Card Alliance’s “Smart Cards in Government” educational symposium in Washington, DC from June 3 through 5.

“I am excited about the opportunity the Alliance Board has given me to lead the Smart Card Alliance during this interim period. Our corporate and government member organizations are looking to the Alliance to be the leading voice for the smart card industry. The upcoming activities, such as new materials from our Digital Security Initiative and the Alliance symposium in June, help us to do just that. With the current importance being placed on security and authentication in the physical and logical worlds, smart cards have never been more relevant,” said Randy Vanderhoof.

Prior to working with the Smart Card Alliance, Mr. Vanderhoof held marketing and business development positions with leading smart card companies, including IBM Global Smart Card Solutions, First Access, Inc., SchlumbergerSema, and DANYL Corporation.

About the Smart Card Alliance

The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for profit, multi-industry association of member firms working to accelerate the widespread acceptance of multiple applications for smart card technology. Through specific projects such as education programs, market research, advocacy, industry relations, and open forums, the Alliance keeps its members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. The Alliance is the single industry voice for smart cards, leading industry discussion on the impact and value of smart cards in the U.S. For more information please visit https://www.securetechalliance.org.