Team cryptovision

The cryptovision Team

Management Team

Markus Hoffmeister

Managing Director (CEO)

Background: Markus was 18 when he founded his first company where he sold self-developed accounting software to construction companies and medical practices. While studying mathematics, he and his partners jointly set up the Media Factory that dealt with production and sales of Multimedia CD-ROMs, web portals, web shops and the like. When this company was sold, his professional focus for the next two years lay on process analysis and workflow systems for venture capital companies. From these activities, jointly with vc on target, the market leader for financial reporting in the German technology sector arose. This is where Markus had his share up to the sales of the company in 2008. It was in 1999 when Andreas and Markus Hoffmeister founded cryptovision as a spin-off of the Institute for Experimental Mathematics at the University of Essen. Acting as CEO, Markus transformed cryptovision into a worldwide operating producer of highly efficient IT security products in the field of cryptography. Markus' area of responsibility at cryptovision comprises commercial responsibility, investor relations, and strategy.

Thomas Mai

Manager Technology (CTO)

Background: It was already in his school days that Thomas occupied himself with the architectural levels of operating systems. His mathematics and informatics studies were devoted to the fundamentals of cryptography and software technology. While doing so, he happened to meet Markus Hoffmeister and has ever since accompanied Markus through all his business undertakings. Up to the present day, his expertise in cryptography combined with his architectural know-how of complex systems and infrastructures form the very foundation for cryptovision's technological success. From design through to development of solutions to complex requirements in the IT security sector, Thomas, in his capacity as cryptovision's CTO, holds responsibility for the entire product range.

Marco Smeja

Director Sales (CSO)

Background: Marco studied business computer science at the Comprehensive University of Essen and started his professional career with the network specialist Novell at the age of 24. His overall competence and language proficiency paired with stringency and reliability of his commitments, earned him a quick promotion from a mere system engineer to Head of Sales for the German consulting team of the US producers. Marco, besides gaining direct on-the-job experience during his employment with Novell, went through numerous training measures in the field of rethorics, sales and management and was repeatedly honored by Novell for his achievements. Nevertheless looking out for new challenges, he came to join cryptovision in 2000. While acting as CSO, Marco has acquired worldwide reputable customers, resellers, distributors and system integrators for cryptovision and therefore prepared the ground for the continual international growth of our company. In 2003 he was granted full authority to sign.

Britta Digulla

Director Finance (CFO)

Background: Having worked as a qualified assistant tax consultant with a tax counselor already during her business administration studies, Britta came to join cryptovision even before she completed her degree. Thanks to her broad expertise, untiring dedication and diligence, her area of reponsibility expanded on and on which finally earned her promotion as CFO in 2007 when she was granted full authority to sign. Nowadays Britta manages cryptovision's finances with an iron hand and much love for detail but with no lack of charm...

Guido Ringel

Managing Consulting and Development (COO)

Background: Before Guido came to cryptovision in 2008, he had worked as a project manager with a consultancy company where he had focused on large IT projects of insurance companies and financial service providers, after having gained several years of experience as a software developer. On the strength of his extraordinary social competence, Guido managed in almost no time to adopt to cryptovision his treasure of experience in managing big teams and complex projects. Indeed it is him who brings in the professionality and serenity needed to preserve cryptovision's quality standard even in these days of rapid international growth.

Reinhard Kalla

Management Consultant

Background: The man with experience. After almost 20 years in the semiconductor industry, finally as Vice President & General Manager of the Identification Business Line with Philips and NXP Semiconductors, Reinhard Kalla is deemed as one of the fathers of Near Field Communication (NFC) and the electronic passport. In addition to his activities for cryptovision, Reinhard Kalla is an active member of the Advisory Team of Bluehill ID AG who are part of the Mountain Partners Venture Capital Group. Before that time, he had headed the Foundry Services and Investor Relations departments with ELMOS Semiconductors AG. Linking security with convenience in all possible applications is and has been one of the focal topics underlying his activities. Reinhard had already been in close contact with cryptovision at the time of his employment with Philips / NXP. At the end of 2007 he came on board as an active Management Consultant and has ever since supported our management in the fields of corporate development, sales and strategy. Given his far-reaching experience, he is the ideal complement to cryptovision's young management team.