ECE Industry Advisory Board

 

Alex Acero, Head of the Speech Team, Apple 

Alex Acero received an M.S. degree from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain, in 1985, a M.S. degree from Rice University, Houston, TX, in 1987, and a Ph.D. degree from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, in 1990, all in Electrical Engineering. Dr. Acero worked in Apple Computer’s Advanced Technology Group in 1990-1991. In 1992, he joined Telefonica I+D, Madrid, Spain, as Manager of the speech technology group. In 1994 he joined Microsoft Research, Redmond, WA, and in 2013 he joined Apple where he leads the speech team.  Dr. Acero is author of the books "Acoustical and Environmental Robustness in Automatic Speech Recognition" (Kluwer, 1993) and "Spoken Language Processing" (Prentice Hall, 2001), has written invited chapters in 4 edited books and 200 technical papers. He holds 78 US patents. Dr. Acero is a Fellow of IEEE. He has served the IEEE Signal Processing Society in many ways including as president of the Society.

 

Mickey Aleksic, VP of Engineering, Qualcomm

Mickey Aleksic is a VP of Engineering of Qualcomm. He has B.S, M.S,. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Belgrade. He is responsible for several strategic IPs including display audio, machine learning, and biometrics. Dr. Aleksic has initiated a deep neural network IP development which targets premium MSM. He has developed a display and audio IP that works in all Qualcomm MSMs sold in billions. He has created a low power Graphics IP acquired by Qualcomm and now leading the 3D IP in industry. He has also developed a video and imaging IP, first in the cell phone Motorola Razor sold over 100 million. He has founded the handheld division of ATI. Dr. Aleksic has 86 USA granted patents and has 30+ pending. Furthermore, he has published more than 30 papers. He has participated in different standard bodies including Khronos OpenCL, MIPI, and I3A.

 

Sharon Barkume, Barkume & Associates

Sharon Barkume is a registered patent attorney at Barkume & Associates and an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University’s business school.  Sharon is also Director of Operations and IP Counsel for Millennial Materials and Devices, Inc., a startup company located in the Long Island High Technology Incubator in Stony Brook, NY.  The company is commercializing materials and devices that use nanotechnology developed at Stony Brook University.  Sharon’s previous positions include:  co-founder and CEO of QB Sonic, a start-up medical device company located in the Long Island High Technology Incubator in Stony Brook, NY; Of Counsel at Campolo, Middleton & McCormick a general practice law firm located in Ronkonkoma, NY; IP Counsel at Canrock Ventures a venture capital firm that funds startup companies, located in Hicksville, NY; IP Counsel at Sound Interventions a startup medical device company located in the Long Island High Technology Incubator in Stony Brook, NY; and Electrical Engineer at Airborne Instruments Laboratory, a large defense contractor located in Deer Park, NY.  Sharon has a J.D. from Touro Law Center, an M.B.A. from Stony Brook University, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Maryland.

 

David Burgess, Chief Marketing Officer, Spellman High Voltage Electronics

David Burgess is the Chief Marketing Officer at Spellman High Voltage Electronics, the world’s leading independent supplier of precision DC high voltage power supplies, X-Ray generators and Monblock X-Ray source for medical, industrial and scientific applications. David has over twenty years ‘ experience running and growing OEM businesses.  He holds a BSME in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University.  In his current role, David leads Spellman’s Engineering, Sales, Business Development and Marketing functions, with responsibility for the growth and development of new products, services, and markets.  He is also responsible for M&A - sourcing, valuing and negotiating strategic acquisitions and joint ventures.  Prior to joining Spellman, David held related roles at Universal Voltronics, Kaydon and Hubbell.

 

Frank DeMarco, Director of Electrical Engineering, Zebra Technologies

Frank DeMarco is currently the Director of Electrical Engineering for the Data Capture Solutions organization of Zebra Technologies.  He leads the electrical engineering team in product development for all handheld/handsfree barcode scanners and data capture devices including imaging and laser based data capture engines as well as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products.  In addition, he plays an integral role in key ingredient technology development along with expanding relationships with strategic suppliers.  He possesses over 30 years of experience in the retail, industrial, healthcare and aerospace industries.  Frank graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a BS in Electrical Engineering and holds an MBA in General Management from Dowling College.

 

Bill Forman, President and CEO, North Atlantic Industries (NAI)

Bill Forman is the President and CEO of North Atlantic Industries, Inc. (NAI), a leading independent designer and manufacturer of unique Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and custom electronic subsystems for military, industrial, and commercial aerospace markets. Bill acquired the business in 1992 and broadened its focus through a series of acquisitions and significant engineering investments. Bill has been named "Long Island Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year" and won the "40 Under 40" award sponsored by Long Island Business News. Bill's philanthropic pursuits focus on the lives of disadvantaged children. He serves as a board member of Publicolor, a not-for-profit organization that engages at-risk youths.   NAI supports FIRST, a high school robotics program meant to inspire young people's interest in science and technology.

 

Predrag Hadzibabic, General Electric Aviation

Predrag Hadzibabic has over 27 years of power conversion industry experience. In his current role as Principal Engineer with GE Aviation Systems, Predrag is responsible for technical consulting, leadership and direction to the  power conversion design and development; guidance in identifying and implementing new technology; support changing technology and anticipation in solutions adaptation; contribution to multi-generational product and technology planning and definition of requirements for new development projects; direct interface with Business Development group to provide technical support and guidance during the Bid and Proposals process; participation in design reviews and safety inquiries as the technical expert in power conversion; support and mentoring to other engineering design teams; interface with customers to resolve technical issues. Prior to GE Aviation Systems, Predrag was with Phihong USA Corporation, Lambda Electronics, Inc., Kepco, Inc. etc. Predrag holds combined BS and MS degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from the University of Novi Sad and MS in Electrical Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of NYU. Predrag is an IEEE Senior Member and has several US patents pending.
 

Richard Hines, CTO, Telephonics

Richard Hines is the Chief Technology Officer at Telephonics Corporation and has over 30 years of design and management experience in a number of electronic industries ranging from commercial communications to military avionics.   He is directly responsible for establishing the company’s technical vision and leading all technology development in support of the company’s strategic direction, while overseeing the company’s 270 person engineering organization. Hines joined Telephonics in 1996 and has been responsible for successfully leading key technology development programs within the organization and has been instrumental in the development of numerous launch products that have resulted in early market penetration.  Throughout his career, Mr. Hines has been recognized for driving innovation and creativity into product development, while executing an overall corporate strategic vision.  He is also well versed in modern process models and has successfully led a number of organizations through process improvement initiatives, effectively striking a balance that fosters a culture of innovation, while maintaining a structure that ensures execution success. Prior to joining Telephonics, he held various engineering and management positions, primarily in the aerospace and defense industry.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from SUNY Stony Brook, as well as numerous professional development certificates. 

 

Raymond Homburger, Manager of Customer Quality Assurance, PSEG

Raymond Homburger is the Manager of Customer Quality Assurance at PSEG Long Island. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from NYIT and his MBA from Dowling College. He has over 38 years of electric utility experience and has held various positions at all the predecessor electric and gas utility companies here on Long Island. This included working as an NRC Licensed Reactor Operator at the Shoreham Nuclear Facility, Certified as an Instructor for the utilities conventional power plants and gas facilities across the service territory, teaching emergency restoration methodology to utility personnel and working as a Major Account Representative for some of Long Island’s largest utility customers, such as Brookhaven National Lab, the Long Island Railroad and Cold Spring Harbor Labs. He is also involved with many charitable organizations serving as an Executive Board Member to Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk County, Vice President for Moonjumpers (a 501-C3 charity involving children and veterans here on L.I.), and Board member for Leadership Huntington, Hands Together NY, The Good Fellows and Vice President of the Double Diamond Ski Club. 

 

Mike Lantier, Senior Project Engineer, H2M

Michael Lantier, P.E., LEEP A.P., is a Senior Associate and Senior Discipline Engineer at H2M architects + engineers, a multi-discipline architectural and engineering firm headquartered in Melville, NY.  He has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from N.Y.I.T., and an MBA in Finance from SUNY Stony Brook. Michael specializes in electrical construction design and construction management. He has over 10 years of experience in the construction field, working for local school districts, municipalities, and private businesses to consult with them during the conception stage of a project all the way through final completion.  During his tenure at H2M, he has achieved his Professional Engineer certification in the state of NY, and has earned his LEED AP certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.  Michael also serves as a board member for Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk and Suffolk County Legislature’s Next Generation Advisory Council.
 

Jeremiah R. Madigan, Vice President & General Manager, Secure Communications, Cubic Mission Solutions

Jeremiah "Jerry" R. Madigan is vice president and general manager of secure communications for Cubic Mission Solutions, a business division of Cubic Corporation, a global leader in the defense and transportation industries. In his role, Madigan oversees development, production, and support of Cubic's command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) products, including data links, avionics and communication products.

Prior to joining Cubic, Madigan was executive director for the Missile Defense Systems business unit at Aerojet Rocketdyne. Previous to Aerojet Rocketdyne, Madigan was at Northrop Grumman for 25 years, where he held various management positions in program management, engineering and supply chain management as well as 10 years as program vice president. Madigan's experience includes leading major prime contract programs including Firebird, Global Hawk, E-10A multi-mission aircraft, MP-RTIP Radar and Joint STARS aircraft.

Madigan served as a captain in the United States Air Force from May 1983 to October 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and obtained a Master of Science in engineering management from Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts. Madigan also completed executive courses at MIT Sloan and Wharton Business School.
 

David Mesecher, Fellow, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems

Dave Mesecher holds over forty patents for signal processing techniques in the areas of wireless communications, adaptive antenna arrays, and real-time location systems, and has authored several technical papers in these areas. He received the 2009 IEEE Charles Hirsch Award for outstanding technical contributions in these areas.

Dave is a Senior Member of both the IEEE and the AIAA, and is the current Chairman of the Long Island Chapter of the IEEE Aerospace and Electronics Systems Society. Dave was awarded an IEEE Regional Activities Award for his accomplishments as 2003 IEEE Long Island Section Chair. He is also a past Technical Program Committee Chair and past General Chair of the IEEE LISAT Conference, and the current LISAT Distinguished Lecture Committee Chair. He received the 2005 IEEE Alex Gruenwald Awsard and an IEEE Region 1 Award in 2006 in recognition of his outstanding IEEE volunteer service. Dave serves on the NY State SUNY Stony Brook annual CEWIT Conference Committee. He recently became a board member of the Metropolitan Chapter of the Association of Old Crows.

Dave serves on the Industry Advisory Boards of the New York University Tandon School of Engineering and the New York Institute of Technology School of Engineering.

Dave has a BSEE from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, an MSEE from NYU Tandon, and an MBA from Adelphi University.

  

Robert Saracino, BAE Systems, C4ISR, Tactical Systems Technical Director

Rob is the Technical Director for the Tactical Systems Product Line for BAE Systems in Greenlawn, NY. He leads the research and technology development for the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Mission Computer, Optical ISR and Advanced Antenna products.

Rob has worked at BAE Systems and its predecessor companies for more than 35 years. He started at Hazeltine Corporation in 1984 after receiving his BSEE from Virginia Tech. Rob went on to complete his MSEE at Polytechnic University (NYU) in 1989. Prior to his Technical Director position, Rob has held several engineering leadership positions as both a Program Engineering Manager and lead engineer.

Rob has spent the majority of his career working in the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) community. He is considered an expert in the IFF field. He has been an active member of the NATO IFF Technical Working Group.

 

Minh Tran, Vice President, VJ Technologies

Minh Tran is an electronic power conversion engineer.  He studied in electrical engineering and has been working in the designs and developments of High Voltage and X-ray generators since 1987. He has been responsible for the development of numerous advanced Integrated X-ray sources used in Security, Medical, Aerospace, Oil and Gas, Automotive, electronics and food applications. He and his team received the 2006 Medical Design Excellent Award for the design of a compact X-ray generator used in a Mobile CT. Minh is one of the founders and the President of VJ X-ray Inc., an Engineering design and manufacturing company that creates the most compact and advanced X-ray sources in the market today. He is currently working on the development of X-ray sources used in Airport 3D X-ray Security inspection machines.