Our Leadership Team
Fred Tompkins – Chief Executive Officer & Chief Manager (Founder)
Forty-year career as an engineering professor and administrator at the University of Tennessee (UT). Over two decades experience in academic and research leadership roles at the college or university system level (e.g., Dean of Engineering, Vice President for Research). More than 10 years involvement in intellectual property management and technology business startups including 6+ years as President/CEO of the UT Research Foundation. Ph.D. in engineering earned at UT. Registered Professional Engineer. Vietnam-era veteran of the United States Marine Corps (SGT E-5).
John Wilkerson – Chief Technology Officer
Thirty-year career in sensors and controls research and development as an engineering faculty member at the University of Tennessee. Research program administrator experience. With two additional patents currently pending, holds three issued U.S. patents, with all three out licensed for commercial deployment. Extensive interaction with large industrial entities. Strong project management and execution skills. New product development experience. Ph.D. in engineering earned at Purdue University.
Arpad Vass – Chief Science Officer
Twenty-year career as senior research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (U.S. Department of Energy) with Q clearance. Extensive patent portfolio that includes sensor and detection technologies. Multiple technologies out licensed for further commercial development. Chemistry and biology analytical skills. Instructor at the National Forensics Academy. Ph.D. in forensic anthropology earned under supervision of world-renown forensic scientist Dr. Bill Bass at the University of Tennessee.
Tim Hutchison – Chief Marketing Officer
Highly experienced law enforcement officer with a distinguished 35-year career as a Certified Policeman and S.W.A.T. team member. Elected to five terms as Sheriff of Knox County, Tennessee. Skilled in antiterrorism and threat reduction. Graduate of the FBI National Academy. International terrorism training received in Israel. Certified in Homeland Security. Extensive national and international law enforcement agency network. Honored as National Sheriff of the Year in 1998.