Steve Zaleznick, CEO

A lawyer by training who has also started and run several publicly spirited companies.

Steve Zaleznick is a lawyer by training with a life-long interest in business and quirky regulatory markets. His decades-long experience in healthcare includes roles as general counsel for AARP, CEO of AARP Services Inc. and running a brokerage for senior and long-term healthcare insurance products. Later in his career, Zaleznick shifted his focus to harm reduction in the gun market as a public health issue. After running a successful data mining project with a Medicaid plan to reduce violence-related claims, Zaleznick concluded that the widespread acceptance and use of gun locks could potentially lead to healthier communities. At the time, however, gun locks frequently available to owners were easy to break and slow to release, a reality that made them useless and impractical. Determined to find a solution, Zaleznick engaged colleagues in Silicon Valley and academia in extensive research. He then raised capital to build the first prototype with a team of firearm experts and engineers. Today, SafeGunLock is at the forefront of firearm innovation and remains the most secure portable gun lock in the world. SafeGunLock makes gun ownership safer for individuals, families and communities.

Scot Thomasson, Advisor

Before retiring from the ATF, Thomasson had a distinguished career in numerous roles, including Chief of the Firearms Operations Division.

Thomasson joined SafeGunLock’s team as a highly decorated former federal agent who is nationally recognized for his work in violent crime reduction. He began his career in the U.S. State Department working overseas and handling major security assignments. Scot later transferred to the Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to become a Special Agent. Thomasson’s roles at ATF were numerous, including Director of the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative as well as Chief of the Firearms Operations Division. While serving the federal government, Thomasson also worked as an operator with the Department of State’s Mobile Security Division and as a sniper with ATF’s Special Response Team.His many awards include an ATF Medal of Valor (1995) and the United States Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety (2005). Today, Thomasson leads a consulting firm focused on security solutions, firearms training and crisis management, among other services. He has also contributed his expertise to several suicide prevention studies focused on the military, veteran and law enforcement communities. Thomasson’s vast experience in the field makes him an invaluable advisor on the subject of firearm safety and violent crime reduction.

Mark DiOrio, Advisor

An engineer, executive and entrepreneur with experience in the firearm industry.

Mark DiOrio comes to SafeGunLock as a mechanical and materials engineer who’s also been successful as a technology entrepreneur. An experienced C-level executive, DiOrio boasts a consistent track record in driving performance and growth. DiOrio became deeply involved in the firearm industry when he led Beretta’s laser optics division as President and General Manager. During his tenure at Beretta, he helped the division earn Monterey County’s award for Best Manufacturing Operation of the year. Customers included the national and international military as well as law enforcement agencies. DiOrio sits on the advisory board of the SmartTech Challenges Foundation, a San Francisco-based non-profit dedicated to reducing gun violence through innovation. His passion for gun safety aligns deeply with SafeGunLock’s mission to save lives.

Daniel Reader, Engineer

An engineer with firearms experience.

Reader is a mechanical engineer with over a decade of work in the firearms/defense, consumer electronics, sporting goods, and medical device industries.