Bangkok--Feb 10--APPR Media
WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WGRD), a leading provider of Internet security appliances and services, has appointed Jeff Hurmuses as Managing Director, Asia Pacific responsible for all operations in the region, effective immediately. Hurmuses will report directly to Dale Bastian, senior vice president of worldwide sales for WatchGuard.
Hurmuses has more than 25 years of experience in corporate business and IT management. He joined WatchGuard from Intandem Asia, which he co-founded in 2002 to help U.S. technology companies enter Asia Pacific markets. Prior to Intandem Asia, Hurmuses was instrumental in building Polycom's Asia Pacific business from less than USD$1 million to more than US$65 million in annual revenues. Hurmuses past experience includes a position as managing director, Asia Pacific circulation for Business Week International magazine, and four years with Xerox Canada and Rank Xerox Hong Kong.
"The recruitment of a seasoned executive of Jeff's caliber is a proof of our commitment to the Asia Pacific market," said Bastain. "Japan and China are just two areas in Asia Pacific that represent significant growth opportunities for WatchGuard. Under Jeff's direction, I believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of these opportunities and grow our business in the region."
"I am very excited to join a leading security appliance company that has the vision and technology to drive outstanding growth and sustain success in the industry," said Hurmuses. "I am looking forward to continuing to build a world-class team in Asia Pacific, and expanding our relationships with our current partners and adding new partners. Our focus in addressing the specific needs of growing enterprises and SMEs is a key competitive advantage for us in the industry."
About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
WatchGuard is a leading provider of Internet security solutions for small- to mid-sized enterprises worldwide, delivering integrated products and services that are robust as well as easy to buy, deploy and manage. The company's Firebox X line of expandable integrated security appliances is designed to be fully upgradeable as an organization grows and to deliver the industry's best combination of security, performance, intuitive interface and value. WatchGuard Intelligent Layered Security architecture protects against emerging threats effectively and efficiently and provides the flexibility to integrate additional security functionality and services offered through WatchGuard. Every WatchGuard product comes with an initial LiveSecurity Service subscription to help customers stay on top of security with vulnerability alerts, software updates, expert security instruction and superior customer care. For more information, please call (206) 521-8340 or visit www.watchguard.com.
Certain statements in this press release, including statements about our opportunities for growth in the Asia Pacific region and our ability to take advantage of them and other statements about our plans, objectives, intentions, and expectations are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risk that we are unable grow our business in the Asia Pacific region and the other risks described under "Important Factors That May Affect Our Operating Results, Our Business and Our Stock Price" in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release.
WatchGuard, LiveSecurity and Firebox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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