GSE Appoints Emmett A. Pepe as Chief Financial Officer

Sykesville, MD – July 5, 2016 – GSE Systems, Inc. (“GSE” or “the Company”) (NYSE MKT: GVP), the world leader in real-time high-fidelity simulation systems and training solutions to the power and process industries, today announced the appointment of Emmett A. Pepe as Chief Financial Officer, effective July 1, 2016.  Mr. Pepe brings to GSE 30 years of experience in finance management, with strong leadership skills and expertise in financial reporting, international accounting operations, systems integration, internal controls and process improvements, across a variety of business sectors with a focus on the software and telecommunications industries.  He will succeed Jeff Hough, who will be pursuing other interests, after a successful transition of the Company’s systems and controls to Mr. Pepe. 

Mr. Pepe joins GSE from MicroStrategy, Inc., a company focused on business intelligence, big data, and mobile identity solutions, where he served as the Senior Vice President Finance and Worldwide Controller overseeing financial activities for the company including accounting, financial reporting, tax and treasury.  Prior to MicroStrategy, Inc., Mr. Pepe held the position of Vice President Accounting and Corporate Controller at BroadSoft, Inc., a software and services company that enables telecommunications service providers to deliver hosted, cloud-based unified communications to their enterprise customers, where he was responsible for overall global accounting, SEC reporting, tax, treasury, human resources and facilities.  Mr. Pepe was part of the executive management team that took the company public in 2010.  Prior to BroadSoft, Inc., he held senior finance management positions with various companies including Software AG, webMethods, Inc., British Telecom Inc., Concert Communications Company and MCI Communications Corporation. 

Mr. Pepe earned his BS in Accounting from Penn State University, is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia, and is a member of American Institute of CPAs and the Virginia Society of CPAs. 

Chris Sorrells, GSE’s Interim Chief Operating Officer, said, “Emmett is a high-energy, seasoned professional with modern finance and accounting operations skills.  His financial skillset, technical know-how, and hands on approach to management make Emmett the ideal leader to optimize GSE’s finance function and energize staff as we pursue new growth initiatives.” 

Mr. Pepe commented, “I am thrilled to be joining GSE at this exciting time in its history, and look forward to working closely with GSE’s leadership to support the continuing growth and evolution of the Company.”