What services do you offer?
Development of optical technologies. We have software and electro-optic and electro-mechanical systems development experience for aerospace. But, with resource constraints, our focus is currently just on commercialization of a photonic AI accelerator.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Pushing the boundaries of technology.
What inspired you to start your business?
The technology being developed on the photonic AI accelerator SBIR/STTR with UCF has good potential to be a major player in future computation, particularly in AI. I believe it needs to be further developed and made available in the marketplace. I am semi-retired, but I want to see this through, at least to launch to the level where others can take it over and succeed with it.
What gets you out of bed every morning?
Our two dogs, most of the time. Otherwise, it is work that needs to be done.
What is your secret to making progress each day?
Daily plan based on scheduled goals and milestones. The main thing is that for the important stuff to make sure to do something towards it each day, even if only 15 or 20 mins.
Tell us one thing people don’t know about you.
That I don’t have any secrets.
A typical weekend for me is…
I am a bivocational pastor, so it usually is involved with church activities.
What will people get from your business that they won’t get anywhere else?
I’m still working on solidifying the answer to that question as other technologies and other photonics companies are working on the same goal of high through-put at low power consumption AI computing. We are trying to find and develop a niche market that is still 7 years out. What we expect today may change by then, so we need to keep an eye on it.
Have you won any awards or had any special recognition or acknowledgement of your business?
Just starting the company.
What are your plans for the future of your business?
I would like to see it become a major player in the future of light in computing, either as its own company or as a subsidiary of a major driver in the industry.
What’s your secret talent no one knows about?
I don’t think I have any secret ones, but I am a serious drummer (percussionist) and love to grow super hot peppers.
What did you want to be when growing up?
Physicist (1st grade), then a cartoonist, then a meteorologist (4th grade), then a musician (7th grade through high school), then a computer engineer (freshman in college), and finally back to physicist by sophomore year in college. In first grade I decided against being a physicist because I didn’t think they made enough money. I had particular interest in space and space flight, computers (well before PCs), and lasers at that time. However, by the time of college I wasn’t too worried about making enough money in the field when all those interests get combined for development of laser technologies for aerospace applications.
What is your favorite thing to do in the wonderful area of Central Florida?
Go to either of the coasts.
What would people never guess you do in your role?
Drive back and forth between the Research Triangle in North Carolina and the Research Park in Orlando.
What do you love most about your industry?
I have always had a fascination with light and with how the brain works. The photonic AI accelerator brings together both worlds.
How have you advanced professionally since starting your business?
Just started this particular business.
