Management Team

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Peter D. Whitford, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Peter has led the team in the design and engineering of the Archer 1000 Barrier. Peter has had extensive global experience in the manufacturing, wholesale and retailing of products. Peter has spoken at the United Nations at the Global Compact Conference on human rights and social compliance for global manufacturing. Peter's leadership role at Meridian Rapid Defense Group mirrors his life's work for human rights and the importance of saving lives globally.

Peter is currently Chairman of Whitmarks LLC, a global company which has built brands for over 75 years. The portfolio of brands at Whitmarks LLC includes Parker & Morgan Pty. Ltd, Tensabarrier Pty. Ltd., Normandy Capital LLC, and Duncan & Dirk LLC. Whitmarks has offices in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Bangkok and Sydney. Peter also serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of myShape LLC, and Senior Advisor of Kessler Advisor, a global executive search firm.

Barry Epstein, President

Roy Schiefner, Executive Vice President – Global Sourcing

Roy has over 35 years of international sourcing. Roy’s sourcing experience extends beyond 50 countries on the globe. He has the unique and strategic viewpoint on establishing global sourcing partnerships that fulfill the strict manufacturing guidelines that Meridian Rapid Defense Group represents.

Roy brings with him experience, quality control, a partnership in designs, engineering, geotechnical services, metallurgists, and structural engineers.

Roy is responsible for delivering Meridian Rapid Defense Group patented product assortment with consideration of human rights, and global compliance that supports the mission of saving lives.

Brad Smith, Executive Vice President – Global Marketing

Brad is committed to delivering on Meridian's mission to save lives and protect facilities. He has over twenty years of experience in developing marketing and communication strategies for government and private industry and has directed marketing and product strategies for a wide range of global companies including Hewlett-Packard, AT&T, Intel, Nike, Vtech and ADP.

In addition to his role as EVP of Global Marketing, Brad co-designed the Archer 1000, 750 and 500 barriers, Archer Beam Gate, Archer HaulsAll and many of the product accessories.

Brad has served on the board of directors for professional associations and has directed marketing projects for non-profit organizations that include Loaves and Fishes, Children First, The Christie School and others.

Howard Kaufman, Executive Vice President – Government Relations

Howard has extensive experience in strategic planning and has consulted for multinational corporations, start-up ventures, and not-for-profit institutions. He was based in the Baltimore-Washington area for most of the past 25 years and has developed relationships with significant city, state, and federal officials as well as international government and business leaders.

Andrew D. Whitford, Executive Vice President – Global Business Development

Andrew is President and COO of Whitmarks LLC where he is responsible for all day to day operating activities of Whitmarks' global businesses (Parker & Morgan Pty Ltd, Duncan & Dirk LLC, Tensabarrier Pty Ltd and Normandy Capital LLC).

Andrew has over 25 years senior management experience with a proven track record in General Management, Facilities Management, Business Development, Strategic Planning, Brand Building and Profit Improvement. He has worked with private and public companies as well as government and not for profit organizations throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia, Australia and the United States of America.

In addition to his academic qualifications (B.H.A., Grad Dip CM) Andrew is a DISC graduate of the Australian Defense Force, he serves as an advisor to World Monitors Inc. an international consulting business specializing in advice on human rights issues and labor standards worldwide and he also serves as a Director on the boards of several privately held Internet related businesses.

Corporate Governance

We are actively involved with monitoring our supply chain through auditing all aspects of what we do through Manufacturing with the highest Standards of Human Rights in relationship to "Made Right Made Fair" of all of our world class products that are designed and engineered to "Save Lives". In addition to this is to ensure through our Patent Attorneys that we protect our Business Partners and Licensee's from unauthorized copying of our products. We work with Global Auditing companies to ensure compliance and remedial action where required.