The ZigBee Alliance, a non-profit association of organizations creating open, global standards that define the Internet of Things (IoT) for use in consumer, commercial and industrial applications, announced that Mark Walters, IoT industry leader and technology executive and recent chairman of the Z-Wave Alliance, is the new vice president of strategic development at the ZigBee Alliance.

Walters' extensive experience working in a standards organization from inception to market adoption makes him the ideal candidate to help guide the continued adoption of ZigBee standards across the IoT industry.

"I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in the IoT market for so long," said Mark Walters, vice president of strategic development for the ZigBee Alliance. "My experience in the industry has made me tremendously excited to join the team and work for such a large, diverse organization like the ZigBee Alliance." 

Walters plans to develop the current branding and standards to increase awareness and understanding of ZigBee technology. He will be strongly focused on the approaching launch of ZigBee 3.0, a release that will help reduce market fragmentation and further promote the suitability of ZigBee standards for the IoT. In addition, he will craft partnerships and agreements with other organizations to increase interoperability across the IoT. This work will be especially important in the smart home market, where the ZigBee Alliance is leading consolidation processes to support an easy and meaningful consumer experience.

"We are pleased to have Mark join the team, and we look forward to the benefit his knowledge and experience will provide as we serve our members," said Tobin J. M. Richardson, president and CEO of the ZigBee Alliance. "We believe that Mark will help drive the Alliance to reduce fragmentation, increase market adoption and deliver the promise to consumers in our core mission of interoperability."