amir neeman

For over 17 years Amir has been involved in aviation security, homeland protection, and specifically security technologies. Amir is recognized within the United States and abroad as an expert in complex aviation security operational issues as well as security technologies development, implementation and use, and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars on airport and airline security.

Prior to joining Jacobs Consultancy, from 2001 through 2005, Amir was with InVision Technologies, Inc., as a senior product manager of all CT based Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) and security products.  In 2005 when InVision Technologies, Inc. was acquired by GE Security, Amir became leader of Product Management within GE Security.  As part of his role, he managed product marketing and product development activities for EDS—CTX 2500, CTX 5500, and CTX-9000 which involved leading cross-functional R&D teams throughout all product development phases.  He has also designed and developed computerized 3D simulation models of in-line screening systems.

From 1994 to 2001, Amir held various positions within the Aviation, Maritime and Border Crossings Security Department of the Israeli Security Agency, Security & Protection Division (ISA).  His last position at the ISA was Head of the Security Technologies Research & Implementation Branch.  As part of his role, he identified and defined security technology needs for regulated agencies (such as Israeli Airports Authority and El-Al), implemented and integrated security technologies, developed and conducted acceptance and evaluation tests of security technologies, researched security technologies, cooperated with R&D and implementation teams in counterpart organizations in Israel and abroad, guided R&D teams at security technology manufacturers, analyzed technical and Intelligence data, performed threat assessment and formulated security regulations accordingly, and developed security training methods and tools as well as instructed security personnel.

From 1991 to 1994, Amir managed the technical security screener unit at the Israeli Airports Authority (Ben Gurion International Airport).  As part of his role, he developed frontal, computerized, and technical training methods, aids, and procedures as well as trained, instructed, and qualified technical security screeners at Ben Gurion International Airport, tested and evaluated various security technologies, and, upon approval, implemented security procedures utilizing various security technologies.

For the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Amir has managed since 2005, various studies, including a development of the Baggage Screening Investment Study (BSIS) Planning Guidelines and Design Standards (PGDS). The BSIS PGDS for airport checked baggage inspection systems (CBIS) were prepared as part of the BSIS undertaken by the TSA in consultation with the aviation industry during 2006 in which Amir was involved.  The design principles and methods presented in the BSIS PGDS incorporate insights and experience of industry stakeholders, including TSA, airport and airline representatives, planners, architects, baggage handling system designers, and equipment manufacturers.  The BSIS PGDS were intended to assist planners and designers in developing cost-effective solutions and to convey TSA requirements for CBIS. In particular, they provide specific guidance on ways to design baggage screening systems that (1) are less costly from both a capital and life-cycle perspective, and (2) have higher performance than the first generation of installed baggage screening systems.  Lessons learned from previous installations are emphasized, as are the benefits and specifications of emerging new screening technologies.

Since 2005, Amir has directed several studies for various private-sector clients providing homeland security and aviation security technology and services. These studies were related to developing strategic product roadmaps driven by operational feasibility assessments, market size estimations based on product cost and performance envelopes and product value-propositions of security products and technologies.

For a large European private equity firm, Amir managed during 2007 an extensive commercial due-diligence study related to the successful acquisition of a major European private security service provider.