Management Team
Major General Aharon Zeevi Farkash, CEO, held numerous prominent positions with the Israel Defense Forces in his distinguished 40-year career of public service. From 1990-1993 he headed the prestigious Israel SIGINT National Unit (8200), after which he held senior positions in the Planning Branch for five years. Promoted to the rank of General in 1998, he subsequently served as Head of the Technology & Logistics Branch until 2001; he then was appointed to lead the Directorate of Military Intelligence (Aman), where he served until retiring from the IDF in 2006. Responsible for providing critical national security intelligence to the Israeli leadership, General Farkash developed close relationships with his worldwide colleagues.
During his service in the IDF, General Farkash completed advanced studies including Brigade Command, Division Command, and Military & Defense Strategic Doctrine. He received a B.A. and M.A. in Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies from Tel Aviv University, and also completed the Advanced Management Program of Harvard Business School.
The General has developed an impressive network of contacts spanning the globe, including prime ministers, presidents, members & heads of Parliament, ministers and business leaders. He is on the board of directors of one of Israel’s leading top-tier real-estate companies, Alrov. General Zeevi currently serves as the Head of the Intelligence and National Defense Program for the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS). He also is Chairman of Public Management of the Ben Yakir Youth Village, as well as an active member of the Ghetto Fighters’ House Friends.
Shahar Belkin, CTO, has nearly two decades of experience in developing new technologies, algorithms and products in the fields of security and remote video. Implementing video analytics algorithms and techniques, these intelligent video products have been awarded a number of international patents. Shahar, a member of several international digital video and security standards committees, was the founder of OzVision, establishing it as the leading supplier of remote video services solutions in the U.S. In 1995, Shahar developed one of the first PC-based digital video recorders (DVR), and in 1997 he implemented live video over RF army radio based on a revolutionary algorithm to the IDF intelligence.
Ofir Friedman, Vice President of Research & Development, has 15 years of R&D experience in developing and managing the development of integrated software/hardware data communication products in the fields of switching, routing, Carrier Ethernet and SONET/SDH. He holds a BSc in Mathematics & Computer Science from Tel-Aviv University, graduating Cum Laude. Before joining FST21 he served as Director of Embedded Software for Atrica, a leader in the field of Carrier Ethernet which was acquired by Nokia Siemens Networks. Prior to that Ofir worked for the Engineering Dept. of Avaya Communications and served in the IDF Intelligence Corps.
Shai Anbar, CEO, FST21 America, has over 20 years’ experience in the security industry. He spent seventeen years with Brinks Incorporated, most recently as Senior Vice President, Americas, Global Services division. Shai played a key role in the setup and development of startup operations around the world, and has launched new business lines in the secure logistics and information protection arenas.
Shai earned a B.A. from Rutgers University and a Masters degree in Philosophy from Temple University in Philadelphia. Prior to joining FST21, he was the Founder of New Mile LLC, a consulting firm specializing in secure logistics. As president of FST21 America, Shai leads the operational, technical, sales and marketing efforts in the Americas, and is part of the Company’s management team that drives strategic planning, global operations and key growth initiatives.
Avi Lupo, Senior VP of Sales, FST21 America, has over 25 years of management experience in the security industry. A co-founder and president of OzVision Global, Avi established the company as a leading developer of advanced video solutions in the international security monitoring market. Among his many notable accomplishments, Avi formed strategic alliances that introduced Video-As-A-Service to the world of security and helped establish industry standards. Prior to OzVision, he was the CEO of Scan Group International, a group of full-service security and monitoring stations in Israel. Avi was also CEO of Israel-based Vegal Industries. In addition to his role as Senior VP Sales, Avi will be working as part of the management team efforts in North and South America as well as working as part of the management team to drive strategic planning, global operations and key growth initiatives. Avi’s leadership reflects his deep personal commitment to customer and partner satisfaction, which results from long-term and trust-based relationships.