Dan Merkle

Dan Merkle is the CEO and Chairman of the Board at FaceFirst, a company specializing in facial recognition technology. He joined FaceFirst in 2020, bringing extensive experience in public safety and technology deployment. Under his leadership, FaceFirst has focused on ethical and legal applications of facial matching technologies, aiming to enhance security across various sectors including retail, healthcare, and transportation.12

Professional Background

• Founding CEO of Lexipol: Before joining FaceFirst, Dan was the founding CEO of Lexipol, a leading provider of policy and training systems for public safety agencies. Lexipol was notable for developing one of the first Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms tailored for public safety.2
• President at Veritone Public Safety: Following his tenure at Lexipol, he served as President of Veritone Public Safety, where he oversaw the deployment of AI technology for government agencies until the company went public in 2020.2

Education and Personal Life

Dan holds a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Chapman University and has completed a corporate governance program at Harvard Business School. He is also an Eagle Scout and possesses a 100-ton U.S. Coast Guard Master License with a sail endorsement. He resides in Kirkland, Washington with his wife and two Labradors.24

Contributions to Industry

Dan Merkle is recognized for his advocacy on the ethical use of emerging technologies in public safety. He has presented on these topics at various national conferences and serves on multiple boards, including as Vice Chairman at REI.23 His leadership at FaceFirst positions the company as a key player in addressing modern security challenges through innovative technology solutions.