Integrated Biometrics Names TFT Tech Expert as New CEO

Integrated Biometrics has found its new CEO, announcing that former dpiX VP Shawn O’Rourke will take the place of former CEO Steve Thies.

The news comes just about a week after the news that Thies was retiring from his position, having led the company since 2009. Commenting on his departure, Thies called his tenure as CEO “a wonderful experience”; and the company indicated that Thies would stay on as an advisor to the incoming CEO through September.

Now, IB has revealed that O’Rourke will be the beneficiary of Thies’ advice. O’Rourke is an engineer at heart, with a Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Washington (and an MBA in Technology Management from Arizona State University), as well as over 20 patents to his name relating to semiconductor technology solutions. In announcing his appointment as CEO, IB described O’Rourke as “a world-leading technologist in thin film transistor (TFT) technology.”

O’Rourke started his professional career as an engineer at Crane Aerospace & Electronics in the mid-’90s, and went on to work in senior engineering positions with Motorola Solutions and the Center for Applied NanoBioscience. He spent almost six years as the Director of Technology & Business Development for the Flexible Electronics and Display Center, before moving on to dipX, a company specializing in amorphous semiconductor technology, in 2009. There, he served as Chief Technology Officer & Vice President of Business Development until accepting the position as Integrated Biometrics CEO this summer.

“On behalf of the board and everyone at IB, we’re thrilled that Shawn is taking the reins as CEO,” commented Thies. “As a hands-on leader with an excellent track record in the successful development and commercialization of new technologies, he’ll lead IB into a new era with strengthened partnerships, strategic alliances, and an expanded international presence.”

For his part, O’Rourke asserted that “no company is better positioned to capture the global market in biometric identification and make a real difference.”

In announcing the appointment, Integrated Biometrics suggested that it is in the midst of a major growth phase, claiming a 20 percent year-over-year CAGR and annual revenues approaching $50 million for this year. The company indicated that its management are planning a “world tour” over the coming months that will facilitate meetings with partners and customers, barring any serious “health security” concerns.

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July 26, 2021 – by Alex Perala