BOSTON, March 16, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Technest Holdings, Inc. www.technestholdings.com (OTCBB:TCNH), a defense and homeland security company transforming advanced laboratory technology into real-world products, announced today that it has submitted an application for listing of its shares of common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
Company management with co-operation from its majority shareholder, Markland Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:MRKLE), has restructured its corporate governance and has appointed three members to its Board of Directors, all of whom meet the "independent" and corporate governance requirements of NASDAQ. Effective on March 15, 2006, newly appointed board members: Major General (Ret) David R. Gust, Robert Doto and Darlene Deptula Hicks have formed the requisite independent audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance committees.
Also as part of the corporate governance restructuring, Robert Tarini has resigned his positions of CEO and director of Technest Holdings Inc. He will remain as CEO and Director of Technest's majority shareholder, Markland Technologies, Inc. Dr. Joe Mackin has been appointed the new CEO of Technest Holdings and will remain a director of Technest Holdings along with the CFO, Gino Pereira. Dr. Mackin has resigned as a director and President of Markland Technologies.
Robert Tarini stated, "It has been my pleasure to work with the talented management team here at Technest to help form the new operating and equity structure, and I am quite pleased Dr Joe Mackin has accepted the position of CEO. These structural changes allow Technest to proceed to grow its business and future as a public entity. Dr Mackin and Gino Pereira will do a fabulous job as CEO and CFO, respectively. The newly appointed independent board of directors will come to the job with a wealth of industry and public company experience."
"A NASDAQ listing of our common stock would represent an important milestone for our company," said Dr Joe Mackin, newly appointed CEO of Technest Holdings. "By moving to the NASDAQ, we hope to provide greater transparency and liquidity for our shareholders and to elevate our company's visibility and standing in the financial community."
About Technest Holdings, Inc.
Technest Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:TCNH) is a provider of: advanced remote sensor systems, chemical detectors, intelligent surveillance and advanced 3D imaging technology solutions to the defense and homeland security marketplaces. Technest is committed to setting next-generation standards in defense and security through the provision of innovative emerging technologies and expert services. Technest's solutions support military, law enforcement and homeland security personnel. Through strategic development, Technest focuses on the creation of dual-use technology and products with applications in both the defense market and civilian homeland security and law enforcement fields.
"Forward-Looking Statements"
Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this press release as well as some statements in periodic press releases and some oral statements of Technest Holdings Inc. officers and directors during presentations about Technest Holdings, are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Forward-looking statements include statements which are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, which include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible future actions, including listing of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market, which may be provided by management, are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Act. Some of the factors that could significantly impact the forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: inability to satisfy NASDAQ's listing requirements, a reduction in order rates from the Army's Night Vision and Electronic Surveillance Directorate, insufficient cash flow to continue to fund the development and marketing of the Company's products and technology; a rejection of the Company's products and technologies by the marketplace, and; disputes as to the Company's intellectual property rights. Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about Technest Holdings, its products, economic and market factors and the industries in which Technest Holdings does business, among other things. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and Technest Holdings has no specific intention to update these statements. More detailed information about those factors is contained in Technest Holdings filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. http://www.sec.gov.