By Craig Greenberg
It’s been just over 100 days since Gatekeeper Systems and FaceFirst came together in a merger that brings together two companies with a shared mission: making retail environments safer, smarter, and more secure. As with any meaningful transition, much has happened in a short time—and I’d like to take a moment to reflect on our progress and what lies ahead.
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Dara Riordan and the many dedicated current and former members of the FaceFirst team. Their passion and perseverance built FaceFirst into the trusted, industry-leading face-matching platform it is today. That legacy endures. The vision and leadership that shaped FaceFirst’s foundation lives on through the many talented team members who continue to drive innovation, support our customers, and guide our evolution forward.
In these first 100 days, we’ve prioritized listening—to our customers, our teams, and our partners. We’ve sought to understand how we can enhance the FaceFirst experience by streamlining deployment, strengthening support, and accelerating time to value. These conversations have already led to action. We’re rolling out pilot programs that bring together FaceFirst and Gatekeeper’s Purchek® technology and investigative services in a coordinated effort to deliver even greater value—helping retailers quickly identify repeat offenders, build cases, and protect their people and profits more proactively than ever before.
This merger is more than an integration of technologies—it is a fusion of cultures. At Gatekeeper Systems’ core, we’ve always been an innovative technology company creating and improving solutions for cart-based retailers. Now, the engineering energy and agile innovation that defined FaceFirst is infusing Gatekeeper Systems with a powerful new tempo and expanded marketplace. At the same time, Gatekeeper’s scale, resources, and operational maturity are extending FaceFirst’s reach and impact. Together, we’re stronger—and faster.
Looking forward, our commitment is clear. We will continue to invest in product development, customer success, and compliance leadership. We will stay attuned to the evolving needs of the retail industry and the communities we serve. And above all, we will stay grounded in our purpose: delivering solutions that enhance safety without compromise.
We’re proud of the momentum we’ve built—and even more excited about what’s to come. Thank you for your continued partnership. I look forward to speaking with many of you soon.