GFI, the leading network security, content security and messaging software provider, has appointed Curtis H. Staker as the company's chief executive officer.

Mr Staker, 46, will move over from Websense Inc., where he has been president since January 2003. Prior to that, he served as executive vice-president of Worldwide Sales from February 2001.

During his four-year tenure at Websense, Mr Staker was responsible for a five-fold increase in sales, while the number of customers doubled to more than 24,000.

Before joining Websense, Staker served at Structural Dynamics Research Corporation (SDRC), now owned by UGS. In the course of 12 years at SDRC, he held a variety of management positions, including vice-president and general manager of Americas operations (North and South America Regions) and vice-president and general manager of Asia-Pacific operations.

Mr Staker has held other senior management positions and was director of sales at Kensinger Integrated Technologies Corporation, where he increased revenues by 200 per cent. He was also national specialist for Bruel and Kjaer instruments, and an engineer for Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Nick Galea, chairman, GFI, said the GFI board unanimously selected Mr Staker based on his track record leading complex organisations, in addition to his strong executive and personal qualities.

"We have conducted a comprehensive search of external candidates, and Mr Staker has secured our confidence because of his strong execution skills, his proven ability to lead top performing teams, and his track record in driving shareholder value," Mr Galea said.

Mr Staker said: "GFI has an enviable track record in delivering exciting technology at a competitive price point. I look forward to leading the next phase of GFI's growth and expanded contribution to the success of our employees, channel partners and customers."

Mr Staker succeeds Mr Galea in the role of chief executive officer with immediate effect. Mr Galea remains with GFI as company chairman. Mr Galea, who has been managing director and chief executive officer since 1992, will be taking up the position of chief executive officer at Acunetix and 2X, two new start-ups he recently founded.

GFI's ability to adopt key technologies early on has led it to be a market leader. Today, GFI's award-winning solutions help its 300,000 customers - including NASA, Volkswagen and Coca-Cola - to build a robust and secure infrastructure.

GFI's products incorporate the company's security labs, which allow it to research new areas of danger for computer networks. A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, GFI's experience in development on the Microsoft platform and its strategic partnership with Microsoft continues to allow it to grow at an astounding rate.