FRGO Fargo Electronics (MM)

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRGO), a global leader in secure technologies for card identity systems, today announced the opening of a new office in Alexandria, Va., to serve the company's expanding federal government business. The office is the company's first location outside of its headquarters. "With the HSPD-12 deadline of October 27 set, the federal government market presents growing opportunities for Fargo," said Kathleen Phillips, vice president of sales and marketing at Fargo. "This office will support our current efforts to develop stronger relationships within the systems integrator and government communities while supporting HSPD-12 compliance. Beyond HSPD-12 there is a myriad of opportunities to produce secure identification solutions for additional government programs." The Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) mandates the development of a common ID card system that will be interoperative between all federal agencies by October 27, 2006. It applies to all government employees and contractors and governs both physical and logical access. John Santisteban, hired in January, 2006 as the director of government solutions for Fargo, opened the company's Alexandria office to support a growing number of federally focused opportunities. An Air Force veteran, he brings over 12 years of marketing to the federal and state government to his position and has held key management roles at Ingersoll-Rand Company, Onity Inc. and Wang Laboratories. During his 11 years with Hewlett-Packard, he led the business expansion of reseller and distribution partners. "Our commitment to the federal market is strong and we are pleased to have invested in the local area," adds Santisteban. 'We see a great opportunity to support current government programs and we continue to build on our expertise of developing innovative identification solutions for this market." About Fargo Founded in 1974, Fargo Electronics is a global leader in the development of secure technologies for identity card issuance systems, including secure card printer/encoders, materials and software. The company has sold more than 100,000 systems in the U.S. and over 80 other countries worldwide. Fargo card issuance systems reduce vulnerabilities and potential for loss of time, money and lives by continually improving the security of identity credentials. Fargo provides physical, information and transaction security for a wide variety of applications and industries, including government, corporate, national IDs, drivers' licenses, universities, schools and membership. Based in Minneapolis, Minn., Fargo markets its products through a global distribution network of professional security integrators. For more information about Fargo, visit www.fargo.com.