Tempe, Arizona (May 14, 2012) — VirTra Systems (OTC Pink: VTSI.PK), a leading provider of firearms training simulation systems to military, law enforcement agencies and other organizations, today announced the addition of Mark Skidmore in the position of Director of Finance and Corporate Controller. Mr. Skidmore brings more than 20 years of accounting and financial control experience from his time spent in Big 4 accounting and with public and private companies from the start-up to Fortune 100 level.
Mr. Skidmore joins VirTra from his previous position of Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Accounting at Boon Inc. and Keen Distribution LLC, a privately held children’s products company, which he joined as a start-up in 2005 and helped grow to more than $30 million in annual global revenues. In this role he managed all of the company’s financial and support functions including internal and external reporting, human resources, banking, insurance, benefits, forecasting and budgeting. In addition, Mr. Skidmore was responsible for South and Central America sales and distribution and was a liaison for production in China, third party logistics in California and New Jersey and international distributors. He has also been intimately involved in the negotiations, due diligence, close and current transition related to the company’s acquisition by TOMY International in 2011.
Prior to this, Mr. Skidmore served as Chief Financial Officer and Controller for Precision Dynamics International LLC, a privately held automotive marketing events company. In this position he was responsible for managing the finance and support areas across seven subsidiary companies including three corporations and four LLCs. This included financial reporting, corporation commission reporting, managing human resources and information technology, real estate and fixed asset acquisition and handling IRS, state and financial audits.
Previously, Mr. Skidmore held the position of Business Finance Manager, Integrated Supply Chain with Honeywell International Inc., a publicly traded Fortune 100 engineering and manufacturing company. He supported both the VP of Integrated Supply Chain and Finance Director and was responsible for budgeting, performance metric and financial tracking of four manufacturing sites as well as analyzing operational costs and inventory in multiple states and Canada. During this time Mr. Skidmore became a certified Six Sigma Greenbelt.
Earlier in his career he worked in senior accountant and financial analyst roles for 3M Corp. Mr. Skidmore began his career as a Senior Auditor with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP and passed the CPA exam during this time. He graduated from Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a minor in Business degree.
Mr. Skidmore commented, “I’m excited to join VirTra Systems and believe with my past experience I can both fortify and bring a fresh perspective to the finance and accounting functions of the company. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working alongside the VirTra team in an effort to help this company advance to the next level.”
Bob Ferris, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “The hiring of Mark Skidmore marks an extremely important addition to the VirTra team. Mark possesses an impressive background in achieving results within public and private companies along with a strong accounting foundation from his years in Big 4 accounting.”
Mr. Ferris continued, “We also believe Mark’s previous audit experience, from serving as an external auditor to managing audits internally, will be of benefit to VirTra as we work toward completing the company’s first audit in a number of years.”
About VirTra Systems
VirTra is a global leading provider of the world’s most realistic and effective small arms simulators. VirTra is the higher standard in firearms training simulators, offering a variety of simulator platforms, powerful gas-powered recoil kits and the patented Threat-Fire™ simulated hostile return fire system. VirTra’s products provide the very best training available for personnel that are entrusted with lethal force and critical missions. The Company’s common stock is not registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Company does not currently file periodic or other reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Comments are based on current management expectations, and are considered “forward-looking statements,” generally preceded by words such as “plans,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” or “intends.” We cannot promise future returns. Our statements reflect our best judgment at the time they are issued, and we disclaim any obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements as the result of new information or future events.
VirTra and the VirTra logo are trademarks of VirTra Systems, Inc.
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