Codercard Government Division Chief Fired 1 Week After Boston Deal Fails

Codercard Inc. said Monday that it has fired the head of its federal government business operations because of “irreconcilable differences.”

The Santa Ana developer of computer security systems said that Robert J. Gray was fired Friday and that no permanent successor has been named.

Willis Marsing, Codercard vice president and manager of operations, will temporarily assume Gray’s duties.

When contacted Monday, Marsing declined to provide further details about Gray’s departure.

Gray joined Codercard in 1985.

The company is searching “for a qualified manager with experience in computer security (who) will be acceptable to our management as well as our customers within the federal government,” Marsing said.

Gray’s firing followed Codercard’s announcement Wednesday that its discussions with a Boston venture-capital company, concerning a $3-million financing package, have fallen through. The Bank House Exchange suspended talks with Codercard because its corporate and marketing structures did not meet the Boston firm’s requirements.

Marsing declined to comment on whether the financing problems and Gray’s departure are related.

Codercard has developed and is trying to market a computer security device that uses a plastic card with an embedded microchip that prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to computers.

The Santa Ana firm has been concentrating on selling its device to the federal government but has so far been unable to land any government contracts.