Our Team
Board of Directors
Russel Phelps, CEO
Russel is a leading expert on the use of training and commercial gaming technology for governments and industry. A retired U.S. Navy Commander, he specialized in innovative uses of new technology, linguistics, and training experimentation during his military career. Since founding InVisM, he has become a well-known speaker and educator on the use of gaming technologies and advanced visual media to support adult learning and education. He has many years of experience working with the U.S. Armed Forces helping them make the transition from traditional learning methods to new approaches in-line with the younger generations. Russel has a long history of travel to the Middle East and with an education in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies as well as a Master of Science from the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.
Steve Weyl, Chief Innovation Executive
With over 30 years of technology industry experience and a decade of general manager expertise, Steve has worked in research, engineering, marketing and sales and has oversight of innovation and development for InVisM. Prior to InVisM, Steve was President of Ricoh Innovations, Inc., a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd of Japan. There he executed Ricoh's acquisition of IBM's Printing Systems Division and led Ricoh's corporate venture capital group and corporate entrepreneurship programs in the U.S. Before Ricoh, Steve founded three Silicon Valley startups, led the Network Services Integration Division at IBM, and directed Apple Computer Tools Groups. Early in his career, Steve performed advanced research and engineering work at SRI, Stanford, Exxon, and American Express. Steve holds an M.S. in computer science and B.S. in mathematics from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard University, where he was a Baker Scholar.
Mike Ricks, Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Michael Ricks brings over twenty-four years of experience in strategic business operations to InVisM. His expertise as a finance executive to high technology companies ranges from Fortune 500 companies to start-up ventures. Past companies include MediaOne Group's Atlanta region (now Comcast) and Transaria Inc., a wireless broadband and network services firm. In addition to serving as chief financial officer to both aforementioned companies, Michael's accomplishments include directing corporate finance and investment banking teams overseeing mergers and acquisitions, business development, international investments and divestitures. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Indiana University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.
Rick DeGolia, Senior Business Advisor and Board of Directors
Rick is currently a member of the Angel's Forum LLC in Silicon Valley. From 1996–2001 he served as senior vice president of strategic planning and business development at Genesys Telecommunications and had oversight of its initial public offering in 1997 and subsequent $1.8 billion sale to Alcatel in 2000. Prior to joining Genesys, Rick was a partner with Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, a large Silicon Valley-based law firm, where for more than 11 years he represented clients through formation, private financings and initial public offerings in the software, semiconductor and telecommunications industries. He also represented several venture capital firms in connection with private equity investments, including Sequoia Capital; New Enterprise Associates; Benchmark Capital; IVP; and Burr, Egan & Deleage, as well as several investment banking firms in connection with their underwriting practices, including Goldman Sachs, Robertson Stephens and Alex Brown. He holds a B.A. in American Studies from the University of California at Berkeley, where he graduated magna cum laude and joined Phi Beta Kappa, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Corporate Officers
Randy Roberts, President
Mr. Roberts is a retired USAF Colonel with over 35 years of senior management experience, coupled with technical knowledge of the United States Intelligence Community (IC) to include applications of serious gaming and video technology for military and IC instructional applications. Mr. Roberts began his military career as an Electronic Warfare Officer on the B-52H and RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft. He held various headquarters staff positions at the Pentagon, HQ SAC, HQ USAFE, in addition to four command assignments up to a wing equivalent for the National Security Agency. His last active duty assignment was at RAF Menwith Hill Station as the first-ever USAF station commander leading a complex organization of over two thousand government personnel and contractors for a multi-national, multi-agency, and quad military service center supporting international, national, and tactical customers with time-perishable information. His formal education includes a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Science, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing. Mr Roberts joined InVisM in September of 2008 and he is currently the President for InVisM responsible for oversight of all corporate day-to-day operations.
Rick Schmidt, Chief Technology Officer
Rick is a technology expert with over 21 years experience delivering technology-based solutions. He is a retired Naval officer and a subject matter expert in Technology Innovation and Software Development, Network Security and Radio Frequency Identification. A recognized leader in the fields of software and technology development, computer network operations, and training, Rick has successfully managed vital Naval and commercial operations and was responsible for building an award winning training and simulation platform. Rick holds a BS degree in Computer Science, an MS in Information Systems, as well as certifications as an Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID+).
Ken Granville, Chief Information Officer
Ken is a highly experienced professional with a background of over 28 years in public service and defense industry positions. Having served 12 years in the U.S. Air Force as well as 16 years as a defense contractor in support of several government organizations, he brings perspectives of both a customer and a service provider. Ken has performed in System Engineering and Technical Advisory roles resulting in the funding and execution of top-level mission operations priorities. His breadth of experience in both operational and support roles, combined with experience in program management, quality management, software configuration management, IT support, operations of complex systems and enterprise level engineering allow him to quickly identify potential issues. He holds a degree in Information Systems.
Mike MacDonald, Chief Government Solutions
Mike is a seasoned intelligence community professional with experience in Joint, National and Tactical training and education solutions and specializing in the application of gaming and simulation technologies. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and after 30 years of service retired as a Lieutenant Commander. He is a recognized authority in systems engineering, research and development, prototyping, testing and fielding of advanced technology and translating emerging technology requirements into operational capability. He holds a BS degree in Business Management from Saint Leo College and is a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers.
Ken Robinson, President of InVisM Media
Mr. Ken Robinson is President of InVism Media, and also serves as Executive Producer for InVism Inc, of Denver, Colorado. He is an internationally recognized expert in Terrorism and National Security, with 30 years of government service with US Special Operations, Central Intelligence, and the National Security Agency. Mr. Robinson was also a principal planner for the Interagency Terrorism, Response and Awareness Program (ITRAP) of the National Security Council. His post-government service includes six years as both the Senior Terrorism and National Security Analyst for CNN. Mr. Robinson also served as President of RKI, Inc, a global Kidnap and Ransom personal recovery corporation. In 2005, based on his experiences in Special Operations and the Global War on Terrorism, he served as Creator, Writer, and Executive Producer of the NBC television series, ‘E-Ring.’ The series, now broadcast internationally, starred Dennis Hopper and aired as a Jerry Bruckheimer, Warner Brothers Television, and NBC production. Additionally, Mr. Robinson is currently Executive Producing, writing and developing feature films in Hollywood.
A regular participant in national-level terrorism exercises, a frequent television analyst during national security breaking news, and the Executive Producer for award-winning, highly customized, virtual and reality-based interactive training content, software and programs, Mr. Robinson is an Emmy Award- winning Producer, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, and a 2004 inductee of the National Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.
Diana Ward, Project Manager
Diana M. Ward is a result-oriented professional with over 15 years experience in the coordination and management of military, civilian and national security operations. She was an initial member of Intelligence Gaming which was the previous name of InVisM when it was a start up company. She has worked extensively within federal government agencies, military intelligence, and defense contracting agencies in both the US and the UK where she held executive level positions in planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating multi-billion dollar (classified) technology and sensor placement. Diana has developed numerous specific training programs designed to improve efficiencies and time management and in doing so, has prepared personnel for deployment into both executive positions as well as tactical operations. In addition to her management work, Diana brings a wide range of expertise working within integrated health settings alongside western Pharmaceutical professionals that offered a variety of patient support services and community-based health care programs. Latterly, Diana acted in the role of consultant to new technology companies covering all aspects of initial company set-up and teaming on diverse written proposals for numerous government and military entities. Diana is the InVisM point of contact for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.
Board of Advisors and Consultants
COL Alan King (USAR), Cultural Advisor
Colonel King is one of the top experts on Middle Eastern Cultural affairs. His recently published book, Twice Armed, is the 2008 Colby Award winner and is acclaimed for its insights into culture interaction in the Middle East. Awarded two Bronze Stars for Valor and seriously wounded in Iraq, he conducted over 3,500 meetings with Sheiks and clerics and was made an honorary Sheik of the largest tribe in Iraq. Mr. King has been a guest speaker/instructor for the Army, State Department, DOD and many other agencies and organizations.
Dr. Richard Duda, Project Consultant
Dr. Duda is an Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering at San Jose State University. He is widely recognized for the textbook on pattern recognition that he co-authored with P. E. Hart and D. G. Stork. For the past decade, he has collaborated with V. Ralph Algazi at the University of California, Davis on signal processing for spatial sound recording and reproduction, which resulted in the development of the patented MTB or Motion-Tracked Binaural technology. He received his BS and MS in Engineering from UCLA, and his PhD in Electrical Engineering from MIT.
V. Ralph Algazi, Project Consultant
Ralph is research professor emeritus of the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Davis, where he has held a number of leadership positions in administration, management, and research through the years. His research has been centered on properties of human perception and their application in design of processing algorithms for images, speech, and sound. He received his BS degree from the Ecole Superieure d'Electricite in France and MS and PhD degrees from the MIT, where he has also served on the faculty.
Rajesh Krishnan, Business Manager and Product Commercialization
Rajesh has 11 years of experience in business development, finance, engineering, and intellectual property development. Prior to working with InVisM, Rajesh was at IBM's Systems and Technology Group where he worked on a variety of corporate development activities, including joint development agreements, IP licensing, mergers and acquisitions, and divestitures. Prior to that, he worked in strategy and marketing for IBM's storage division, including the launch of IBM's Storage Software division as it ramped from 0 to over 1,000 clients by the end of its second year in operation. Rajesh holds a B.S. in Science, Technology, and Society from Stanford University and an MBA from Chicago GSB.
Dan Kikinis, Inventor and Intellectual Property Expert
Dan has more than 25 years experience in engineering and intellectual property development across a broad range of technologies, built on bedrock knowledge of systems, computer and software architecture. He has invented and/or participated in registering more than 750 patents worldwide in areas including interactive television, telecommunications, wireless communication, networks, systems, PCs, and Net/Web. Dan is expert at managing the entire patent process, from intellectual property mining and development to patent prosecution to licensing and enforcement, including portfolio management. Prior to working with InVisM, Dan founded Lextron and Elonex Technologies (Oakleigh Systems), where his innovative designs in the field of personal computers received industry recognition worldwide. Dan is a graduate of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, with B. Sc. EE and M. Sc. Computer Sciences degrees.
Michael Rader, Special Security Officer
Mike is a credentialed subject matter expert with over 33 years of experience in multiple security disciplines. Since 1996, he has served as a defense contractor in the capacities of Program Manager for SPARTA Incorporated, Multiple Operations Manager for The Boeing Company, Senior Analyst for Trawick & Associates, and Program Control Officer for Information Technology & Applications Corporation. Mike served in the United States Air Force from 1974 to 1996, retiring as a master sergeant from the North American Aerospace Defense Command - United States Space Command. Mr. Rader is a graduate of Augusta Military Academy.
Partners
EffectiveUI
EffectiveUI is an award-winning user interface design and development firm, enabling companies to maximize their business results while offering exceptional interactive experiences. Leveraging emerging technologies and expertise in user experience, strategy, design and development, EffectiveUI helps today's most respected brands deepen customer engagements by creating more compelling, dynamic and useful customer interactions. EffectiveUI has developed groundbreaking applications for organizations across multiple industries, including eBay, GE Health, NBC Universal, Viacom, Discovery Channel, Dow Jones, Adobe, and Microsoft.
For more information and examples of EffectiveUI's work, please visit www.effectiveui.com.
Foundation 9/Pipeworks
Foundation 9 Entertainment is a collection of independent studios, specializing in creating on time, fun, quality, and franchise-based videogames on every major platform. Foundation 9 provides fantastic service at a competitive price for their clients and publishing partners. With 10 studios across the United States, Canada, the UK and India, F9E is the largest independent game developer in the world, employing nearly 900 of the most talented people in the industry.
Pipeworks Software was founded in 1999 by a group of people who came together with a commitment to making high quality games and delivering a satisfying experience to our clients. Those ideals continue to drive everything that we do today. Pipeworks is a versatile developer of console and PC games, with an emphasis on absolute dependability for our publishing partners. Pipeworks is part of Foundation 9 Entertainment, a collective of independent game development studios located all over the world.
To learn more about Foundation 9 or PipeWorks, please visit their respective websites at www.f9e.com and www.Pipeworks.com.
Combat Film Productions
Combat Film Productions is dedicated to multi-media projects with the highest resolution of Cinematic and Tactical truth through use of Evolutionary Filmmaking Technology and our core staff of U.S. Armed Forces Veterans.
Combat Film Productions' scope of production includes feature films, television, internet webisodes, advertising campaigns, Department of Defense training films, corporate and industrial films, print advertising campaigns, game platforms, and live events.
Combat Film Productions staff are not only Filmmakers — they are also Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.
Combat Film Productions honors those men and women who serve, past and present.
To learn more about Combat Film Productions, please visit their website at www.CombatFilmProductions.com.
Quest Pictures
Quest Pictures, LLC is an award-winning post-production studio that seamlessly combines high-end, creative editing with innovative visual effects. Through integrating live-action footage with computer-generated imagery, Quest Pictures creates realistic scenes that would otherwise be too costly, dangerous or impossible to capture on set. From on-set supervision to editing and visual effects, Quest Pictures delivers premier level quality and efficiency that often transcends expectation.
Continuously breaking new ground, Quest Pictures offers its services to a diverse client base, with a specialization in military and classified government projects. Recently, Quest Pictures edited and produced No Ignoring, a documentary that chronicles American soldiers serving in Iraq, which received two bronze Telly Awards.
In addition, Quest Pictures teamed up with Invism and Combat Film Productions to create the military training video series U.S. Army’s 360 Cultural Awareness. Quest’s contribution helped win this project a bronze Telly Award in 2009 and a prestigious Stevie Award at The 2009 American Business Awards. Additional projects include Invism’s GeoStorm, ITT’s They Never Saw Us Coming and the US Army Artillery School Fire Supporter.
To learn more about Quest Pictures, please visit their website at www.QuestPictures.com.