From FBI to AI: Ex-Security Chief Joins ROC to Steer Vision AI

DENVER, CO – December 16, 2025 – ROC, a U.S.-based developer of multimodal Vision AI, has appointed former top FBI official Steven Martinez to its Board of Directors in a strategic move that underscores the growing convergence of national security expertise and private sector technology. The appointment brings a veteran of high-stakes identity management and global security operations into the leadership of a company at the forefront of biometric and video analytics technology.

Mr. Martinez, whose career includes over 25 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, culminating as the Executive Assistant Director of its Science & Technology Branch, joins ROC as the company aims to expand its unified platform across government and commercial markets. His appointment increases the board to seven directors, four of whom are independent, signaling a focus on robust governance as the firm navigates a complex and rapidly evolving industry.

A Career Forged in Security and Technology

Steven Martinez’s extensive professional history provides a rare blend of public service and private enterprise leadership that aligns directly with ROC’s mission. He began his FBI career in 1987, undertaking assignments investigating violent crimes and drug trafficking before moving into leadership. His tenure saw him serve as the first on-scene FBI commander during the initial combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, managing critical counterterrorism and counterintelligence efforts in Baghdad.

His ascent within the Bureau included roles as Deputy Assistant Director of the Cyber Division and Special Agent in Charge of the Las Vegas Division. In 2009, he received the prestigious Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service, a testament to his contributions as a senior government executive. His FBI career concluded with one of its most significant technology-focused roles: leading the Science & Technology Branch. In this capacity, Martinez had executive oversight of the FBI's Laboratory, Operational Technology, and Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) divisions. He is widely recognized for his role in advancing the Bureau’s biometric innovation, modernizing its forensic science capabilities, and operationalizing the national-scale identity systems that are foundational to modern law enforcement and national security.

After his distinguished public service, Martinez transitioned to the private sector, first as a Managing Director at the security risk firm Stroz Friedberg. He then spent nine years as the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Security at MGM Resorts International. There, he was responsible for the enterprise-wide security of the company's vast portfolio of hotels, casinos, and entertainment venues, overseeing physical security, risk mitigation, and crisis management on a global scale.

Bridging Public and Private Sector Intelligence

The strategic value of Martinez’s appointment lies in his direct experience operating within ROC’s two primary target markets. His leadership at the FBI gives him an intimate understanding of the requirements for “sovereign” biometric solutions—systems that must meet the stringent accuracy, security, and scalability demands of military and law enforcement agencies. This background is invaluable for a company building mission intelligence tools for defense and public safety.

Simultaneously, his tenure at MGM Resorts provides practical, real-world insight into the security challenges faced by large, global enterprises. From physical security to risk mitigation across sprawling public venues, his expertise directly informs the development of video analytics and identity verification tools for the commercial sector, including the FinTech and digital commerce industries ROC also serves.

“Steve has spent his career operating at the intersection of identity, intelligence, and real-world security,” said B. Scott Swann, ROC CEO, in a statement. “His leadership at the FBI and MGM gives him an immediate understanding of the public and private sector missions our technology supports every day. We’re fortunate to have his perspective as ROC enters its next phase of growth.”

This dual-market insight is critical for ROC's platform, which aims to fuse biometrics, video analytics, and intelligence into a single, unified operational picture. Martinez’s role will likely involve guiding the company in tailoring its technology to meet the distinct yet often overlapping needs of a government agency tracking a security threat and a global corporation protecting its assets and customers.

Navigating the Ethical and Regulatory Frontier

The appointment comes at a time of intense public and regulatory scrutiny over the use of Vision AI, particularly facial recognition and biometric surveillance. Concerns over privacy, algorithmic bias, and data security have led to a patchwork of regulations at local, state, and federal levels. Companies in this space face the challenge of innovating while building public trust.

Bringing a former high-ranking law enforcement official onto the board could be seen as a double-edged sword. While it reinforces the company’s credibility with government clients, it also places its activities under a brighter spotlight for privacy advocates and civil liberties organizations. However, Martinez’s specific background may be a key asset in navigating this terrain. His work at the FBI involved advancing biometrics within the structured, regulated environment of the federal government, which collaborates with bodies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish standards for accuracy, fairness, and interoperability.

This experience with large-scale, government-sanctioned identity systems provides a foundation for developing technology with an embedded understanding of compliance and ethical guardrails. Martinez himself commented on the company's direction, stating, “ROC’s approach to developing one platform for AI native biometrics and video analytics meets the growing market need for a unified identity and intelligence stack.” He added that the platform is a “disruptive technology that delivers efficiency and economics across the security sphere,” signaling his focus on the practical and strategic value the technology offers to customers.

His role on the board will be crucial in ensuring that ROC’s powerful tools are developed and deployed responsibly, balancing immense security capabilities with the societal need for transparency and accountability. As Chairman of the Board for The Mob Museum, an educational non-profit, Martinez has also demonstrated a commitment to public education on the history of law enforcement, further rounding out a profile centered on the complex relationship between security and society.