Criterion Acquires Software Engineering Company SAGE Black; Promod Sharma, Steve Mast Quoted

Criterion Systems, a cybersecurity and information technology company, has acquired software engineering services provider SAGE Black Consulting and Contracting for an undisclosed amount.

The new SAGE Black subsidiary will be led by Criterion Chief Financial Officer Steve Mast as its president and will join the company’s intelligence solutions business unit focused on offering systems integration and cyber operations services, Criterion said Tuesday.

“[The move, in addition to two other earlier acquisitions,] provides Criterion with a deep bench of expertise that will benefit both our [intelligence community] customers and the company as a whole,” noted Mast.

Commenting on the acquisition, Promod Sharma, president and CEO of Criterion, said the transaction brings new software engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to the company’s IC clients.

As part of the deal, SAGE Black Vice President Sean Dougherty and founder Paul Patton join Criterion’s executive ranks as VPs. Dougherty will oversee IS’ geospatial intelligence-related software services while Patton will lead the business unit’s cultural integration and workforce development efforts.

Rock Hall Partners served as SAGE Black’s representative for the transaction.

On Sept. 22, Criterion also acquired Protas, another software engineering contractor.

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