AGT International Strengthens Management Team with Appointment of Professor Lutz Heuser as Chief Technology Officer, Head of Research & Development, AGT International and Chief Executive Officer, AGT Germany

ZURICH, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- AGT International (AGT), a global network of security and safety solution companies that are among the fastest growing in the world, today announced that Professor Lutz Heuser has joined AGT as Chief Technology Officer, Head of R&D, AGT International and Chief Executive Officer, AGT Germany. Professor Heuser will be responsible for overseeing AGT's global R&D operations in addition to leading the implementation of AGT's ambitious growth plans for the German market.

Professor Heuser is one of the world's leading innovators in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Regarded as a Research & Development entrepreneur, he is a trusted advisor to the European Commission and the German Government.  Professor Heuser has had significant influence in shaping visions on the future of the Internet, the web-based service industry, and cloud based business services. He spent the past decade, as Head of SAP Research where he built up one of the leading European industrial research organizations in ICT.  Prior to joining SAP he was in charge of the European applied research for Digital Equipment Corporation. He was co-founder of the renowned research centre CEC Karlsruhe, as well as several other joint research centres with Universities of Karlsruhe, Darmstadt, Dresden, Zurich, St. Gallen, Pretoria, Belfast, and Brisbane.

Mati Kochavi, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, AGT International said, "Professor Lutz Heuser is a significant hire for AGT and a key addition to our management team. His vast experience in and knowledge of our industry makes him perfectly suited to lead our global R&D activities. AGT is committed to building a team of unique talents to develop and deploy the most sophisticated end-to-end solutions to help governments and corporations navigate complex environments. I am very happy that Professor Heuser agreed to come onboard and work with us to drive AGT's ambitious growth plans across the globe," he concluded.

"AGT is a unique organization with extraordinary potential for growth," Professor Lutz Heuser said. "The foresight and vision of AGT's leadership is truly remarkable. Having spent my career focusing on horizontal technology - from operating systems and software development systems to application platforms – the opportunity to  work with some of the most talented and forward-looking individuals in the world on developing end-user technologies that literally make our world more manageable, was something I simply could not turn down. I look forward to working with my new colleagues and contributing to the continued global expansion of AGT and the achievement of our mission to be the world's premier provider of end-to-end technology systems and solution that assist our customers in effectively managing complex environments."  

The AGT network of companies, which has achieved sales in excess of $7 billion to date and anticipates reaching the $1.5 billion revenue mark in 2010, also announced that it is expanding its existing global R&D operations to include a new center in Germany.  AGT is investing $250 million in R&D activities and has selected Germany as the base for its new world class R&D center because of the expertise around sensor networks, robotics, visual computing, business applications, IT security, public safety, and eMobility available within the German research community. AGT is currently exploring a range of location options.

AGT International has also announced that, effective immediately, TZS Solutions will become AGT Germany. Peter Liebhart, CEO, TZS Solutions, has been appointed COO of the company, with responsibility for AGT Germany's sales and services. Peter will also serve on the board of AGT Germany.

Professor Lutz Heuser biographical notes:

• Received doctoral degree in Informatics from the University of Karlsruhe
• Diploma in Informatics from the University of Darmstadt.
• Honorary Professorship from the Technical University of Darmstadt.
• Adjunct Professor at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane.
• Awarded an Honorary PhD from the Technical University of Dresden in 2008
• Author and co-author of several books on ICT
• 2010-2012  Vice-Chairman of ISTAG
• 2007-2009  Chairman of ISTAG
• 2008 -  Chairman of the German "Software-Cluster"
• 2006 -  Chairman and Founder of the International Research Forum
• 2010 -  Co-Chairman of the "Feldafinger Circle"
• 2006 -  Member of the National IT-Summit

CONTACT: Michael France / Justin Dini, for AGT International, +1-212-333-3810

SOURCE AGT International