AVG Technologies taps former Mozilla chief as new CEO

Internet and mobile security solutions provider AVG Technologies has named a new chief executive officer -- namely one with a good deal of experience in open, mobile and web user interfaces.

Gary Kovacs is joining AVG from Mozilla, where he served as chief executive officer until he stepped down this past April. He replaced then-outgoing chief exec John Lilly in October 2010.

Prior to joining Mozilla, Kovacs was senior vice president of markets, solutions and products at Sybase, now part of SAP.

He was also vice president of mobile and devices at Adobe and vice president of product marketing at Macromedia.

In prepared remarks, Kovacs offered a hint at his upcoming agenda for expanding the company’s desktop and mobile businesses.

We know that there are over two and a half billion people online and we anticipate another two and a half billion people coming online in the next five years. With all these people online there is going to be an increasing urgency to secure them. I have dedicated my last three years to that pursuit and with AVG building products that simplify and secure users’ digital lives, it is a natural fit. I am really excited to be here and I am looking forward to helping AVG continue to grow its business.

Note that the Kovacs' appointment as both CEO and board member is still subject to approval by shareholders. A meeting date has not been revealed yet.