Boston-based Dove Associates has brought in two executives to beef up its financial services and technology consulting practice.
Edward Neumann, formerly a principal at Furash & Co., and Al Funk, formerly an independent consultant and a researcher at Furash, joined Dove this month.
Mr. Neumann becomes a director and Mr. Funk an associate in the firm's new interactive services practice, based in Washington.
The hirings are a continuation of Dove's effort to improve its expertise in on-line banking.
"The World Wide Web is one of the most powerful communications mediums to arrive on the scene since the advent of television," said David Dove, the company's founder and president.
"Companies need to integrate it into their strategic thinking," he said, "in terms of both how they communicate internally and how they interact with customers and suppliers."
Mr. Neumann has specialized in retail delivery and payment systems, and Mr. Funk co-founded Web Communications and Publishing, an Internet consulting firm.
Mr. Neumann said his unit plans to hire executives with technical expertise by yearend to help banks and other companies improve their Web- based offerings.
Last month, Dove hired A. Christian Fredrick, formerly an executive in charge of MasterCard International's home banking program, as a managing director for the financial services group.
