Our Leadership Team

With decades of combined experience, our dynamic leadership team has made Futurex into a true innovator in data encryption technology. They and their teams have laid down the foundations to help Futurex grow into a globally-dominant player in the security industry.


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Brett Smith

President and CEO More Information
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Chris Hamlett

Chief Technology Officer
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Jim Lambert

Director of Engineering
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Ryan Smith

Chief Solutions Architect, CTGA
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David Close

Senior Solutions Architect, CTGA
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John Rios

Solutions Architect, Latin America
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Adam Cason

Product Marketing Manager
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Paul Enman

Paul Enman

Hardware Engineering Group Manager
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Grayson Hull

Xceptional Support & Services Manager
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Brett Smith, President and CEO

Brett Smith has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. After graduating with a degree in Accounting, he worked for the accounting firm of Peat, Marwick & Mitchell prior to beginning a career in banking. At the age of 28, Mr. Smith became one of the youngest bank CEOs in the state of Texas.

Mr. Smith's investments and acquisitions have centered on technology solutions for the financial services and electronic payments industry. In 2001, he acquired Futurex from Comcast Cable. As part of his investment strategy, he assembled a team of experts to introduce a new line of best-in-class data encryption solutions. His high energy and keen leadership turned a 20-year-old company into an energetic, fast-paced, and result-oriented solutions provider. As part of his strategy, he relocated the company from Northern California to a 14-acre corporate technology campus in the scenic Hill Country town of Bulverde, Texas, between Austin and San Antonio.

Today, he devotes his efforts to developing Futurex into one of the corporate leaders in the data security and electronic payments industry. He strategically expanded the business model of the company to include a first-class support infrastructure for Futurex's business partners and Tier-1 accounts with a targeted emphasis on enhancing their bottom-line.

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Chris Hamlett, Chief Technology Officer

Chris Hamlett has 15 years experience developing enterprise-class software for both the commercial market and the U.S. Government. He focuses on applying his expertise in software development practices to the creation of innovative solutions for issues facing the retail and financial services industries. He is currently involved with:

  • The architecture, design, and implementation of next-generation hardware security modules.
  • Secure key management and its applications, using both symmetric and asymmetric techniques.
  • Development of distributed software with a focus on strong security, reliability, and scalability.
  • Representing Futurex on the ANSI X9F work group dealing with financial security.

Since joining Futurex, Mr. Hamlett has recruited and trained a talented and well-educated team of engineers at the Futurex campus in Texas. His methodical and structured approach to engineering has allowed Futurex to catapult into one of the industry leaders in transaction security and become the “gold standard” for encryption, key injection, and key management technology.

Prior to joining Futurex, Mr. Hamlett worked for SecureLogix and Decision Science Applications where he contributed to products as diverse as voice over IP monitoring, trunking models for MCI, bandwidth allocation for the FCC, and satellite communication scheduling algorithms. He also led the development of the world's first distributed wardialer to help assess an enterprise's security profile in a scalable fashion, and was responsible for an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) product in a telephony management application suite.

Mr. Hamlett has received B.S. and M.S. degrees with distinction in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia.

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Paul Enman, Hardware Engineering Group Manager

Mr. Enman has extensive expertise in embedded microprocessor system configuration and development, Linux device driver customization and board level I/O interfacing, and C/C++ software development for operating system and application integration. He served as a Software Engineer for Futurex’s Engineering team before rising to lead the Hardware Engineering Group.

While at Futurex, Mr. Enman has been instrumental in:

  • Designing the EXP9000 next-generation HSM operating environment and encryption card.
  • Providing hardware and software solutions to prototype embedded platforms.
  • Implementing forward-looking engineering practices to maintain compliance with existing and emerging regulatory standards in hardware design.

Prior to joining Futurex, Mr. Enman worked for over 12 years as an electronics technician and test & manufacturing engineer with worldwide recognized organizations such as Lockheed/Martin, Brooks Automation, and the US Army. Mr. Enman has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

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David Close, Senior Solutions Architect, CTGA

Prior to his current role, Mr. Close led Futurex’s Xceptional Support Team where he used his strong analytical and consultative skills to quickly resolve customer issues. The knowledge and experienced gained from his previous role has been critical with his success in understanding the needs of customers and translating them into working solutions.

While at Futurex, Mr. Close’s responsibilities have included:

  • Expanding and enhancing the Xceptional Support Team to manage Futurex’s growing global presence.
  • Designing and implementing a comprehensive Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
  • Designing, implementing, and deploying a standards-compliant secure facility.
  • Managing a team of engineers tasked with supporting Futurex’s global customer base 24/7/365.

Mr. Close brings a high level of business analysis and technical knowledge to provide customers with solutions that meet their business requirements. In his role as Senior Solutions Architect, Mr. Close looks to leverage his cross-disciplinary experience and diverse skill set to build and maintain strong customer relationships.

An expert in transaction processing, mission-critical systems support & resolution, POS device product knowledge, and TR-39 (TG-3) and PCI DSS audit preparation, Mr. Close has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas and is a Certified TG-3 Auditor.

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Ryan Smith, Chief Solutions Architect, CTGA

Ryan Smith has been with Futurex and in the data encryption industry for nearly 8 years. While at Futurex, Mr. Smith was the leading Systems Engineer for the Secure Key Injector (SKI), which became VeriFone’s new Secure KIT 3.0 and is now considered the standard for key injections solutions in the terminal manufacturer industry. Mr. Smith also played a critical role in the development and integration of Futurex’s Remote Key Solutions for both Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and Point of Sale (POS) devices.

Mr. Smith also has an extensive background in the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and POS industries. Outside of the EFT/POS industry, his experience included working in the Key Management and Delivery Infrastructure for the United States Department of Defense.

As the Chief Solutions Architect for Futurex, Mr. Smith’s responsibilities include:

  • Overseeing the creation and development of compliant cryptographic solutions for Futurex’s International customer base.
  • Recruiting and managing other Solutions Architects for both the US and International markets.
  • Developing and maintaining sustainable global Futurex partners and distributors.

Mr. Smith is a certified TG-3 Network Auditor for both Part 1 Symmetric and Part 2 Asymmetric Key Management and is Futurex’s representative on several standards bodies including the ANSI X.9.

Mr. Smith has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

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Adam Cason, Product Marketing Manager

Mr. Cason began his career at Futurex as a member of the Xceptional Support Team and was responsible for providing training and technical guidance for Futurex’s Host Security Modules and Key Management Servers.

As the Product Marketing Manager for Futurex, Mr. Cason’s responsibilities include:

  • Developing and maintaining dynamic multi-platform support, service, and information solutions for Futurex’s global customer base.
  • Implementing comprehensive installation and operation training programs for Futurex’s Xceptional Support Services customers.
  • Enhancing Futurex's position in the payments industry through online and offline marketing and branding initiatives.
  • Creating a system of distributable, frequently-updated, and robust customer-facing documentation and files.

Prior to joining Futurex, Mr. Cason worked with Layered Technologies where he developed customized cloud computing solutions for enterprise-level clients. Through this, he brings over five years of datacenter and systems administration experience to Futurex.

Mr. Cason has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas where he double-majored in Business Administration and Communication.

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Grayson Hull, Xceptional Support and Services Manager

Grayson Hull brings significant experience in C/C++ development, Graphical User Interface (GUI) design, and network administration and policy integration to Futurex. His proven aptitude for developing innovative solutions to unique issues has allowed him to rise from a Software Engineer to lead Futurex’s Xceptional Support Team.

While working as a software engineer for Futurex, his responsibilities with firmware and application development gave him in-depth familiarity with Futurex’s Host Security Modules and Key Management Servers.

As Xceptional Support and Services Manager, Mr. Hull will be responsible for:

  • Leading a team of industry-certified Xceptional Support Engineers who are capable of rapidly resolving issues with mission-critical payment processing and key management infrastructure.
  • Expanding the wide range of added-value services offered to new and existing Futurex customers.
  • Interfacing directly with customers to ensure that their Futurex solutions are meeting their business needs.

Mr. Hull has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

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Jim Lambert, Director of Engineering

Mr. Lambert has over 18 years of experience developing software and integrated solutions for the retail and banking verticals. He has led multiple development efforts including the implementation of PCI-DSS and VISA CISP compliance. Mr. Lambert also led several major transaction processing initiatives including electronic check authorization, bill-payment processing, WIC smart-card and online integrations for all electronic WIC authorities in the US, gift card mall implementation, and Health Savings Accounts signature debit card integration.

At Futurex, Mr. Lambert is focused on applying his expertise in software and firmware development to continue to build high quality, best-of-class products for the HSM, security, and compliance markets. His duties include:

  • Leading the development of the next generation of HSMs and security products
  • Bringing his experience in product requirements and design to the HSM products group
  • Representing Futurex on the ANSI X9F working group for financial transaction security

Mr. Lambert has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with honors from Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

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John Rios, Solutions Architect, Latin America

In his role as Solutions Architect for Latin America, Mr. Rios has been instrumental in delivering comprehensive solutions to organizations in Central and South America. His detailed knowledge of the Latin American payments industry and his fluency in Spanish allows him to serve the unique needs of the region.

As the primary Solutions Architect for Latin America, the responsibilities of Mr. Rios include:

  • Providing direct representation to Futurex’s growing customer base in Latin America.
  • Designing and implementing detailed Spanish-language training programs for Futurex customers.
  • Working with Futurex’s global partners to enhance the security of their customers through Futurex’s secure, robust, and cost-effective solutions.

Mr. Rios is highly experienced in both the high-level and detailed functionality of Futurex solutions and maintains an expert knowledge of the payments industry. Mr. Rios has a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.

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