Executive Leadership

Focus Technology Group’s success is rooted with a unique blend of expertise in fraud detection, internal bank auditing, compliance and core banking systems. All externally facing employees are required to obtain professional accreditations. The team has deep domain expertise and includes:

• Certified Fraud Examiners

• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists

• Certified Internal Auditors

• Certified Fraud Specialists

• Banking Software Architects

• The creator of the first turnkey bank Computer Assisted Auditing Tool

• The creator of a major core banking system and the internationalization of another

• Recognized Industry Leaders in Banking Fraud and Core Banking Systems

FTG is composed of software developers who know their subject matter and who can write software; not individuals trying to learn an industry.

Charles W. Thiel (CIA, CFE, CFS) - Chairman of the Board

Before forming Focus Technology Group and its predecessor Company Shatswell, MacLeod Software Group in 1985, Charles Thiel’s prior experience included forming and running for three years a successful systems consulting company in New York City. Prior to that, Charles worked in management capacities for over 20 years with the Fortune ‘100’ Companies’ Metropolitan Life Insurance, Pfizer, American Express, and Citicorp. During his time with each of these organizations, Mr. Thiel’s primary responsibility was the start-up and direction of new departments which involved extensive travel in the U.S., Europe and the Far East. Charles organized and managed the first corporate wide Information Systems Audit Department for Pfizer, the first corporate wide Systems Evaluation and Fraud Control Department for American Express including their international banking subsidiary, the first corporate wide Information Systems Audit Department for Metropolitan Life Insurance, and a bank consulting profit center for Citicorp.

Charles has built a team of fraud experts and technicians to architect and develop the company’s products which include Fraud Shield™ for prevention and detection of check and deposit fraud, ML Shield™ for detection of money laundering and terrorist financing, Kiting Shield™ for detection of kiting, Fraud Wizard™ for detection of Insider/Employee fraud and BancAudit™ a computer assisted auditing tool. Mr. Thiel has been a frequent guest lecturer for professional, educational, and commercial institutions including AMA, ABA, BAI, and New York University. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner, a Certified Fraud Specialist and a Certified Internal Auditor.

Janet Dickson-Thiel - President

Janet Dickson – Thiel, President of Focus Technology Group, guides the overall progress of the company. She works closely with each of the three teams – Client Services, Technology and Marketing and Sales – to assure communication and prioritization of cohesive product and marketing planning.

Janet joined FTG in 1986 as Marketing Director. During her 22 year tenure, she has planned and organized trade shows, speaking engagements, advertising schedules, web site management, mailings, the new ‘inFocus’ News Letter and the new Focus Technology Group web site. She also supervised collateral design, booth design, and worked with an advertising agency to further the Focus Technology Group image and importance in the market place.

Management of Focus Technology Group’s day to day financial planning required playing a part in and maintaining knowledge of product design, functionality and production. Years of working in FTG’s sales area give Janet knowledge of the company’s clients and many product end users.

Ms. Thiel has a background in US and European Marketing and Design. She worked in the design marketing area for several large US and European Department stores while at a New York based buying office. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee where she graduated Summa cum Laude.

David Burke - Chief Technology Officer

David has been with the company since day one, and has designed, developed and maintained all the company's tightly integrated products. He is a true industry leader in both banking systems and fraud analytics. His design and customer focus have set the tone for all technical developments within FTG.

Barry Acheson - Windows Product Software Manager

Barry Acheson, Manager Developer of the Focus Technology Group ‘Financial Crime Platform’ for Windows products. Barry has the skill set FTG needs to speed creation of the Open Solutions products and to deliver the high standards required to meet functionality and quality goals. Barry’s team is responsible for designing and programming, testing, installing, maintaining, and enhancing the FTG’s ‘Financial Crime Platform’ solutions.

Barry comes to FTG from MITRE Corporation where he designed and brought to installation solutions for the US Air Force. He has been active as a Window’s Software Engineer and Analyst for the past 15 years. Barry holds a Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering degree from Northeastern University and a Master of Science, Computer Science degree from Boston University.

Aileen Murphy (CAMS ) - Manager Product Services

Aileen Murphy, Manager of Focus Technology Group’s Product Services area is responsible for driving product demonstrations, installation set up, training, customer request and needs for all FTG products. Her team participates in product testing and is responsible for creating and updating user documentation.

Before joining the company in 2005, Aileen was owner and office manager of a retail company. She has extensive experience in customer service and has worked in the financial services area. Aileen holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Bentley College in Waltham, MA.

Stephen Friend (CAMS) - Vice President Sales

Steve brings over 20 years of successful international management of sales and marketing of new products and developing new markets. Starting with General Electric with market development responsibilities for new products and most recently success at Trexel in penetrating new customers throughout Asia and displacing entrenched suppliers making Asia the growth engine for a new technology. This entrepreneurial drive and organizational/management skills were clearly proven in positioning Chomerics for growth by re-organizing a 40 member sales/marketing and product development team resulting in expanded markets with new products and revenue increases in a down period. Re-organizing the sales team and setting goals and benchmarks to parallel corporate needs was a key element contributing to this success.

Steve joined FTG in June 2006, creating a professional Sales department for the company setting targets to build an ongoing pipeline of business that can be tracked throughout the sales process. Achieving the premier industry recognition as Certified Anti Money Lanudering specialist in just 3 months, Steve has contributed professional sales management with industry knowledge. Working with a variety of core system users Steve has rapidly expanded sales beyond the historical customer base.