Chander Jeena named as general secretary of IOTA

Chander Jeena has been appointed general secretary of the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA), a trade organisation representing developers and suppliers of optical security features.

Jeena was formerly head of the secretariat of the Indian-based Authentication Solution Providers' Association (ASPA) and has been credited with expanding its focus from a holography association to a broader association of providers of authentication and traceability technologies.

IOTA – formerly known as the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) – represents a broad swathe of companies in the holography category as well as other optical security technologies (OSTs) such as micro-lens arrays, micro-mirrors, plasmonics, nano-gratings, colour change materials, caustics, polarisation, photonic crystals, and special print-generated effects.

Jeena takes the new role at IOTA with a remit to help expand its global membership, enhance member engagement, and strengthen relationships with other relevant organisations like Intergraf, the Counterfeit Intelligence Bureau, and the Secure Identification Union in China.

"I am honoured to join IOTA at this exciting time. The association is evolving with a vision for the future, grounded in a strong legacy," said Jeena in a statement.

"I thank my predecessor, Micaal Sidorov, for his contributions, and the IOTA board for their trust in me," he added. "Together with the team, members, and partners, we will work to enhance the optical security technologies ecosystem for the benefit of the industry and society at large."