Lisa is a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record of disrupting out-of-touch industries. In less than a decade she built and scaled the first iPad-based cash register, Revel Systems to over 700 global employees and tens of thousands of installations spanning five continents. She brought on flagship customers like Royal Dutch Shell, Qantas Airlines, Cinnabon, and Estee Lauder, and led partnerships with Intuit, IBM, and Apple. Lisa has raised over 200 million dollars from top-tier venture capitalists and private equity firms, and has received numerous government grants based on her track record of high-growth leadership. When Lisa started a family, she knew that she had to do something to address the growing problem of school shootings. She founded Athena so that her daughter could grow up in a safer world. Awards 2017: Named by Business Insider as a founder of one the “The 21 Hottest Women-Founded Startups to Watch in 2017”. 2016: Part of Tech Crunch’s list of “40 Female Founders Who Crushed it in 2016”. 2015: Falzone was recognized by Fortune Magazine as no. 19 on the 40 Under 40 list as well as the Forbes list of Eight Rising Stars. 2015: Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women, on the Business Journal Upstart 100 list, Recognized by Fortune Magazine’s list of “40 Under 40,” Honored by Forbes magazine as one of the “Women to Watch – Eight Rising Stars.” 2012 & 2013: Named by Forbes magazine in their “30 Under 30” awards.
Chris is a serial entrepreneur and security expert with over 20 years of experience using technology to detect and prevent threats. He has dedicated his career to building proactive solutions to security threats. He is an anti-hacking expert who pioneered network security solutions during the dot-com boom and mobile payment security during the rise of mobile computing. Chris is an award-winning innovator, published author, and member of the Forbes Technology Council. But above all he is an inventor dedicated to making the world a better place. Chris Co-Founded Revel systems, and from 2010-2017 he acted as the CTO. Chris developed the technology behind the company’s point-of-sale system and left the company soon after it hit a 500 million dollar evaluation. Chris designed Athena to create a safer world – one where real threats are quickly identified and neutralized, and one in which the innocent wouldn’t be profiled as a threat without just cause. Christopher is also a certified Thermographer, the study of infrared devices and how they work and should be operated. Honors Risk Management Award Winner 2019 ISC West for Athena Threat Detection and Safety Platform Member of the Forbes Technology Council, an “invitation-only organization for world-class professionals who influence industries throughout the world”. Member of the International Frozen Yogurt Association Writer for publications in the technology and marketing industries, including Payments Source, Tech Crunch, and Forbes. Member of Pyrotechnic Artists of Texas, Ciabarra is a Texas state-licensed firework pyrotechnic.
Michael Green joined Athena Security, the leading entryway security company, as President in April 2019 and assumed the CEO responsibilities in 2022. Before his tenure at the Austin, TX based Athena Security, he spent the prior three years building and operating an Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer Compliance software company, which validated entities and Individuals, with the goal of keeping money and the financial system out of the reach of bad people. Both keeping money as well as weapons out of bad people’s hands are similar ‘needle in the haystack’ tough technical challenges that also need to be as frictionless as possible to the 99+% of patrons flowing through the system. He is known as an executive who solves problems that are valuable to customers, and enjoys working directly with innovative end-users who give key insights. He first exercised these skills as he grew a Kentucky-based specialty distribution business, which sold to the early childhood and K-12 schools market, and has always been attracted to applying innovation as the key to avoiding a Malthusian end! Elected 40 Under 40 by the Cincinnati Business Courier for his results. California, Texas, Ohio, and Massachusetts have been home and he loves being a dedicated husband, and compassionate father, who takes walks daily.
John Birket has been an Operational Leader in Healthcare for the better part of two decades. During his career, he has built upon his experience with physical security, technology and operations in the Healthcare environment. He is a Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) from the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) and holds his Master of Business Administration (MBA). He is also a Certified Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Practitioner (CPD).
After spending ten years in the US Army, Jack Shepard joined ID.me, helping government and commercial organizations implement digital identity verification SaaS products. Until recently, Jack was the Director of Business Development at STRAC Institute Helping transitioning servicemembers enter the workforce as electronics technicians with organizations like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and SpaceX. Jack now manages sales in the Western region for Athena Security, providing Weapons Detections Systems to schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Jack lives in Lyons, CO, with his two children and partner, Natalie.
Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull is the CEO and founder of DaVinci Wearables. Previously she led the sensing and perception system’s teams at Waymo – formerly Google Self-Driving. She was also the Head of Sensors at Lyft Level 5 Self-Driving Division, leading sensor architecture for Lyft vehicle platforms — designing machine eyes to help transform the transportation of the future. Prior to Lyft, she was a technologist at Apple spanning autonomous systems and the Camera and Depth Hardware team that released the first-of-kind Light Detection and Ranging module in the 2020 iPad. She has spanned both the development of Defense technologies at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and at-scale consumer-product technologies at Apple. She is a science advisor to multiple VCs and startups in the areas of sensors and systems for mobility applications and autonomous vehicles. She received her MS and Ph.D. in Engineering from Duke University and MBA from MIT and enjoys mentorship and recruiting in STEM/STEAM.
Todd Owens is the Security Advisor and Head of Business Development for Athena Security in Canada. Todd joined Athena after a 30-year career as a police officer on the York Regional Police Force. His policing career included extensive experience as both an Undercover Operative and Lead Investigator in Major Crime cases involving drugs, guns, robbery, and homicide. Using sophisticated leading-edge technology and investigative techniques, Todd led teams in suspect surveillance and evidence gathering. Todd joined Athena Security after learning about its computer vision Gun Detection technology. Todd’s extensive knowledge of how this system works, and how it can mitigate the risk of crimes, dovetails well with his previous policing experience, and his vision of making the world a better and safer place.
Nico Green is a Business Development Representative and a graduate of the University of Dayton with a degree in Accounting. He has interned with PwC and has begun taking the CPA exam. Nico believes the skills he gained in accounting have greatly contributed to his success in business development.
Connor Taylor is a Business Development Manager at Athena, leveraging his skills to foster growth and build strategic partnerships. He earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo, where he developed a foundation in business principles. Prior to joining Athena, Connor honed his expertise during an internship at Enterprise, where he discovered his passion for connecting with people. This enthusiasm for relationship-building led him to a role at Seamless.ai, where he furthered his career before moving to Athena.
As an account executive at Athena Security, Andy leads sales efforts in the education vertical working with higher education and K12 institutions. Before transitioning to sales, he worked in education both as a teacher and administrator. His mission is to save lives by keeping weapons out of your buildings and grounds.
Hunter Boggs joins Athena Security coming from 10 years in the SaaS space of IOT primarily in vehicle telematics and AI technologies helping commercial fleets run efficiently and safely to mitigate risk on the roads by scaling coachable tools for managers as well as protecting companies from outside liabilities. Hunter brings consultative experience in Business Development and Customer Account Management and serves in an Account Executive role for Athena Security on the East Coast providing Weapons Detection Systems and Visitor Management Solutions to Healthcare, Education, and other at-risk venues for threats, helping them know WHAT and WHO is entering their facilities. Hunter resides in Charlotte, NC. and enjoys golf and fishing in his spare time.
Greg Hinds joined Athena in 2024. After spending over a decade as a Respiratory Therapist, Greg left the clinical world to pursue hospital sales/business development and has extensive knowledge into the workings of all areas of the healthcare system. Prior to joining Athena, Greg spent over 6 years overseeing the creation of a new core market for another healthcare security company and has installed physical screening solutions into hundreds of hospitals from coast to coast. When he’s not traveling, he loves to hit the trails near his home in Kansas City (Go Chiefs!), play golf or pickleball, and is married with 3 kids and two dogs.
Tech support manager: System Administrator | Expert in Onboarding, Technical/Customer Email Support and Project Management | Streamlining Operations and Enhancing User Experiences
Victoria Furlow is a highly skilled Executive Assistant with over 10 years of experience in providing top-tier customer service and administrative support to various fields of businesses. Known for exceptional organizational skills, Victoria excels in managing complex schedules, coordinating high-profile meetings, and handling sensitive information with discretion. With a proactive approach and keen attention to detail, Victoria ensures seamless operations and contributes to the efficiency and success of executive leadership.
Connor Gibbons is a Project Manager with 8+ years of experience leading projects for clients and government contracts in the security technology, defense, and manufacturing sectors. He specializes in workflow optimization, cross-functional team management, and budget oversight, while ensuring compliance with ISO and DOD standards. Known for being personable and very likable, Connor connects well with teams and clients alike. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, traveling, snowboarding, and is a proud new father.
Eric Hill serves as our Chief of Staff, bringing over 10 years of experience in leading new business initiatives, primarily in the startup landscape. With a strong focus on innovation and strategic growth, Eric excels in fostering collaboration and driving teams toward success. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in launching and scaling several startups, where he developed a reputation for his agile approach and ability to navigate complex challenges. Eric is passionate about creating environments where teams can thrive and achieve their goals. Outside of work, Eric enjoys traveling, biking, and spending quality time with his family.
Management Executive and Member of the Executive Leadership Team during her Corporate tenure. Rupa has 20+ years of global experience leading, organizing, and planning with Citigroup, AXA, Accenture, Airbus, ABB, and American Express. Rupa is an Investor in privately held Medical Device Companies: that focus on the heart and orthopedic advancements.
Adrian has 20 plus years of experience delivering technology solutions that solve complex problems. As a partner and senior executive at Accenture, one of the largest consulting and technology companies, Rich led a business unit that delivered critical technology solutions as part of the transformation of the U.S. Intelligence Community in the wake of 9/11 . Rich invests in organizations that “give back” including free business mentoring and veterans’ appreciation/assistance.
Cathy Lynn Lanier is a former chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Lanier was appointed by Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty in January 2007, replacing outgoing Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey. She is the first woman to hold the position. In May 2012, Mayor Vincent C. Gray agreed to retain Lanier as police chief under a new five-year contract. Lanier accepted a third appointment from Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2016, making her the first Chief of Police in MPD history to serve three Mayors. Violent crime dropped 23 percent over the years Lanier was chief, and homicides plunged to a half-century low in 2012. On August 16, 2016, it was announced that Lanier had accepted a position as the Senior Vice President of Security with the National Football League. Her last day as Police Chief was September 15, 2016. Lanier was the longest-serving Chief of Police in the history of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.
Caroline works with Schools, Hospitals, Behavioral Health, colleges, Universities, Academic Medical Centers, Federal, State and Local Agencies, and large private companies. She works with Law Enforcement Agencies and is an Executive Board Member of the Palm Beach County Crime Prevention Council for the last three years. She is Certified in Homeland Security (CHS-III), Anti-Terrorism (ATAB), and CMS All-Hazards Assessments. She worked with the National Institute of Justice, NSA, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to create custom assessment criteria. Caroline also audits hundreds of organizations on Physical Security, Information Security, and Facilities Security. Caroline is the publisher of numerous white papers and has published more than 1500 RISK Alerts and a popular speaker at security and safety events
Chad is a business development veteran with over 35 years in the security industry. He began in locksmithing and low voltage systems, then moved into electronic security, working in distribution and outside sales for access control. He later became the U.S. Director for an overseas IP camera manufacturer, helping establish their U.S. presence and build their brand. Chad has worked with top engineers and consultants on large projects and held roles at Motorola Solutions. Most recently, he helped launch the A&EC program at a leading Lidar manufacturer, applying laser technology in complex systems. Chad holds his Physical Security Professional (PSP) board certification from ASIS international and his Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) from DHS and FEMA.