About

Founded in January 2009, ZoomSafer is the leading provider of innovative software to promote the safe, legal and handsfree use of mobile phones while driving.

Matt Howard

Co-founder and CEO

An experienced and successful software entrepreneur, Matt Howard conceived of ZoomSafer in September 2008 following a distracted driving incident in which he nearly killed a nine year old boy. Together with his co-founders, Matt has developed a patented software application to ensure safe and legal use of mobile phones while driving. Prior to ZoomSafer, Matt co-founded SMBLive in 2005, an innovative provider of online marketing software for small business owners. SMBLive was acquired by Reach Local (NASD:RLOC) in Feburary 2010. Matt previously served as Vice President of Business Development at Groove Networks (acquired by Microsoft), and as Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at USinternetworking (acquired by AT&T). Matt has a certificate in Innovation Management from the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, a Masters in Telecommunications Administration from George Mason University and a Bachelor’s in Political Communications from The George Washington University. Matt can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Linked-in.

Mike Costello

Co-founder and COO

Mike Costello is a seasoned software and systems development executive who is responsible for building Zoomsafer’s products and service capabilities. Mike is a former Accenture partner where for 20 years he built and delivered a range of systems in support of clients in the wireless industry. To learn more about Mike go here.

Michael Riemer

Co-founder and Chief Product Officer

Michael Riemer has more than 25 years of executive management, product management and business development experience in the wireless and software industries. Prior to founding ZoomSafer Michael led product marketing and strategy for Trust Digital, a venture backed policy-based mobile security company. From 1993 to 2000 Michael led product development at Nextel where he served as a key force in enabling first-to-market technologies including Nextel Communication’s next generation wireless packet data network, the first mobile IP network, Push to Talk, WAP Browsing, Mobile Social Networking and Mobile MSN supported by a $600M investment from Microsoft. To learn more or to connect with Michael please visit him here on Linked-in.

Joseph F. Abely

Strategic Advisor and Board Member

Joe is a board member and strategic advisor to ZoomSafer who previously served as Chairman & CEO of LoJack Corporation, the premier worldwide provider of wireless tracking and recovery systems for mobile assets. At LoJack Joe led growth from undercapitalized start-up into a well capitalized, NASDAQ (NMS) growth company with 950 employees and $213 million in revenue. Joe was also a Partner at @ Deloitte Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touche) where he was National Director of Cable Television and Broadcast Media Practice. Joe is currently a director at Innov-X Systems, a private equity-backed global leader in rapid on-site XRF measurements, where he is on the Audit and Compensation Committees. He is a Director, Treasurer, Chairman of Finance and Audit Committees for the Carroll Center for the Blind, which offers a full range of services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Joe is a graduate from Boston College and also holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Richard Hozik

Chief Financial Officer

Rich brings 35 years of senior financial and operations experience to ZoomSafer. Rich began his career with the international public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen, LLP and subsequently served as Chief Financial Officer and/or Divisional CEO to a number of publicly traded and privately held companies. Rich has vast experience in the areas of capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, profit improvement and cost containment. Over the course of his career, Rich has led two initial public offerings, led or participated in the raising of more than $3 billion of public/private equity/debt and led or participated in over 50 M&A transactions. Rich holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Maryland and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Paul Blamer

VP Sales

Paul Blamer brings more than two decades of sales expertise to ZoomSafer. Prior to joining the company, Paul served as the Vice President of Channel Sales for Trust Digital (acquired by McAfee), where he successfully built the channel sales program, enabling sales of mobile security software North America and Europe. This program significantly increased revenues and brand presence. Paul also was Director of Business Development at leading enterprise ASP USinternetworking, Inc., as well as a founding member and key contributor to the channel sales team of an Internet Service provider named to the Russell 500 index. Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from George Mason University. To learn more, connect with Paul on LinkedIn