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Corporate | R & D staff

Daniel Preston, Chief Technical Officer

Daniel Preston is a professional inventor and founder of Atair Aerospace, Inc. Mr. Preston holds more than eighty patents and pending patent applications for a diverse body of inventions. Mr. Preston's work includes extensive developments in guidance and sensing technologies, materials science, composite fabric technology, and ram-air inflated wings. These inventions have resulted in contracts with military and government agencies including the U.S. Army, Navy, NASA, DARPA on products ranging from satellite-guided parachute systems to unmanned aerial vehicles. Mr. Preston is an experienced parachutist and pilot with over 2500 test jumps. Prior to Atair, he founded Preston Glass Industries which specialized in the design and construction of high speed automation machinery for glass products, such as light bulbs and cathode ray tubes. His products and enabling technologies appear in applications ranging from medical treatments to spacecraft, and have been used on the International Space Station and NASA's Cassini spacecraft as well as displayed in the Smithsonian museum.

Daniel Preston is joined at Atair by a core team of creative, skilled, and experienced members, each of who contribute to Atair's mission to develop and produce critical life protecting technologies, from satellite-guided parachute systems to next-generation protective armor solutions.

Avi Bar-Zeev, Senior Software Engineer

Avi Bar-Zeev has over 12 years of experience in 3D graphics development, both in visual simulation and 3D entertainment from the lowest level graphics to GUI and entertainment ride design.  Early in his career, Mr. Bar-Zeev worked for Walt Disney's Imagineering VR Studio where he built hardware and software for high-end, multi-player virtual reality (VR) rides such as Aladdin's Magic Carpet and developed a VR Roller Coaster Simulator.  For LindenLabs, a provider of multi-user virtual worlds such as the groundbreaking and hugely popular Second Life,  he added a new 3D engine inside the existing application structure, added global illumination, added hardware optimization, and vastly improved the performance.  In 2000, as an employee of Intrinsic Graphics, he lead the development of EarthViewer, a revolutionary application capable of delivering a 3D digital model of the entire earth via the Internet in real-time, integrating satellite imagery, vector data, terrain, and yellow pages content.   Mr. Bar-Zeev co-developed the massive data management scheme and real-time rendering techniques which allow the client to smoothly roam a multi-terabyte, networked database.

Mark Borgerson, Embedded Software and Hardware Engineer

Mark Borgerson is the owner and operator of Oceanographic Embedded Systems, a small company that manufactures a line of peripheral cards for the Persistor CF-2 microcontroller and provides microcomputer consulting services.

Mr. Borgerson has a BSc. in Chemistry from UC, Davis, and a MSc. in chemical oceanography from Oregon State University. He is a Vietnam era veteran who served in the US Navy for five years as a signal intelligence specialist. After receiving his MSc. Degree, Mark worked as a research assistant for several years before leaving the university and becoming a partner in a company that opened one of the area's first computer stores. Since that time, he has worked as a consultant and full-time microcomputer programmer and has taught computer science for three years at Oregon State University. He is also the author of "A Basic Programmer's Guide to Pascal" published by John Wiley and Sons.

Before founding OES in 1998, Mr. Borgerson served for 5 years as the senior engineer at WETLabs, Inc., a manufacturer of optical oceanographic instruments in Philomath, Oregon. During his tenure, he designed the electronics and wrote the firmware for a number of very successful oceanographic instruments. Mark also served as a senior engineer at Sea Tech, Inc., a pioneer company in the field of optical oceanographic instrumentation. During his employment, he designed a number of specialized instruments as part of a team working on DOD-sponsored SBIR and other research grants.

Since founding OES, Mr. Borgerson has designed, produced and marketed seven unique peripheral cards for the Persistor CF-2. He has also written custom data acquisition software for the CF-2 for a number of research institutions both in the USA and overseas.

Anthony Calise, Ph.D., Senior Scientist

Prior to joining Atair Aerospace, Dr. Calise was a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Drexel University for 8 years. He also worked for 10 years in industry for the Raytheon Missile Systems Division and Dynamics Research Corporation, where he was involved with analysis and design of inertial navigation systems, optimal missile guidance and aircraft flight path optimization. Since leaving industry he has worked continuously as a consultant for 19 years. He is the author of over 150 technical reports and papers. He was the recipient of the USAF Systems Command Technical Achievement Award, and the AIAA Mechanics and Control of Flight Award. He is a fellow of the AIAA and former Associate Editor for the Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics and for the IEEE Control Systems Magazine. The subject areas that Dr. Calise has published include Optimal Control Theory, Aircraft Flight Control, Optimal Guidance of Aerospace Vehicles, Adaptive Control using Neural Networks, Robust Linear Control and Control of Flexible Structures. In the area of adaptive control, Dr. Calise has developed a novel combination for employing neural network-based control in combination with feedback linearization. Applications include flight control of fighter aircraft, helicopters and missile autopilot design. In addition to being an Atair Aerospace employee, Dr. Calise continues teaching as a part-time Professor at the School of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Jan Chelminski, Hardware Engineer and Machinist

In 1982, Jan Chelminski began his professional career at the age of 16 while employed as a technician on the Research Vessel George R. (Bolt Technology Corporation), where he specialized in engines, compressors and deployment. Mr. Chelminski has also worked at B.T.C. as a Test and Systems Technician in the R&D/Engineering Department. This work included Seismic Array Installation and Testing on location in a research vessel in China. Mr. Chelminski's other professional experience and hobbies include photography and electronic component repair.

While at Atair, Mr. Jan Chelmiski has studied under his father,  Atair’s Steve Chelminski, a Master Machinist, and become highly skilled in Tig welding of Aircraft frames and has partaken in hands-on continuing education courses in Composites manufacturing.

Steve Chelminski, VP, Mechanical Engineering

Steve Chelminski began building prototypes of his own mechanical inventions in 1954. At this time, he designed a controllable-thrust rocket motor for which patent Morton Thiokol asked for a license. He attended Columbia University, School of General Studies, concentrating on engineering.

Mr. Chelminski founded Bolt Technology Corporation to produce exploration equipment, and has kept it in operation for the past forty years. At Lamont, Mr. Chelminski had invented and built a propane and compressed air sound source for sub-bottom seismic studies, and also two core-taking machines that utilized the ocean bottom pressure itself to force the core pipe into sediments. One of these machines set a record for longest deep ocean core samples. These cores were important in filling in a geological information gap, as detailed in the book “The Deep and the Past” by David Erickson.

Although Bolt started with oceanographic equipment, they were soon busy with other products, including chemical plant equipment, (water) well drills, and pile drivers. Their most important product, the “air gun” sonic source, evolved from Mr. Chelminski's interest in building a rapid energy release device without using explosives. This invention is used worldwide in petroleum exploration. It not only replaced explosives, but also allowed the use of precisely timed arrays in mapping studies.  Mr. Chelminski was honored with the Virgil Kaufman Gold Medal in 1975. This is the highest award given by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

One of Mr. Chelminski's more dramatic products of the last twenty years was one of the world's largest pile drivers, an imposing device used under license by Raymond International to drive pilings for offshore oil drilling platforms, primarily in the Indian Ocean. He also designed and engineered a “quiet” pile driver for use in difficult projects, such as those near hospitals.

Geo Homsy, Ph.D., Senior Hardware and Software Engineer

Geo Homsy has a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT.  He is a computer scientist and software architect with deep understanding of physics, biology, and robotics.  He has made original contributions in theoretical chemistry, biological computation, secure networks, spread-spectrum data storage, and physiological modeling and simulation. Mr. Homsy has been focusing most recently on electromechanical, optical, and embedded systems architecture.  Mr. Homsy also works on physical modeling, optimization, and ergonomics.

Stane Krajnc, CEO Atair Aerodynamics, d.o.o.

Stane Krajnc, a Slovenian national, is partnered in Atair Aerodynamics with Daniel Preston. Mr. Krajnc is a mathematician, paraglider, skydiving canopy pilot, master parachute rigger, and skillful designer and manufacturer of canopies to the most exacting standards. He has designed and manufactured parachutes for the Italian, Slovenian, and Croatian military, as well as for the Slovenian and Croatian National Parachute Teams. Mr. Krajnc contributes in designing, testing, and supplying canopies used by Atair Aerospace, especially in the R&D phase.

Ganter Ludwig, VP, Project Manager

Ganter Ludwig primarily manages product design and development for many new and existing products, including the Onyx program. He works closely with key technical resources, including software and hardware development, testing, documentation, technical support, and more.  Mr. Ludwig is a key participant in the organization’s general business planning designs; manages the day-to-day operational aspects of numerous projects and team members; and administers, designs, and implements Atair’s internet web site. Mr. Ludwig attended Brown University, where he studied electronic media, computer music, and programming.

Philip McManus, FAA Senior Rigger

Philip McManus served in the United States Marine Corps prior to joining Atair in May 2007. Mr. McManus served two tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting mass airborne re-supply missions during the initial stages of OIF I with 1st Air Delivery Platoon. During OIF III, Mr. McManus served as a machine gunner, platoon parachute Rigger, and insert officer in a Reconnaissance platoon with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion (15th MEUSOC). Mr. McManus is a Certified Military Static Line Jumpmaster and he earned his FAA Senior Rigger License in August of 2007. Mr. McManus graduated cum laude from the Sate University of New York, College at Oneonta in May 2007, earning a BS in less than 2 years. Mr. McManus has been involved with the research, development, and production of the Onyx Ultra Light Parachute system since joining Atair.

Alexander MacKenzie, Electronics Technician and Assistant Embedded Engineer

Alexander MacKenzie is a graduate of the Boston University Digital Signal Processing and Communications department, where he obtained his Masters' Degree. During his studies he has worked under grant from the National Science Foundation as well as Boston University. Prior to joining Atair Aerospace, he has worked with New York Hospital's medical imaging group in MRI related research, and Raytheon International as a market research intern. His research interests include auditory signal processing as well as information theory.

Dustin Perun, Systems Administrator and Digital Media Specialist

Dustin Perun joined Atair to assume all systems administration and assist with digital media responsibilities. Mr. Perun began his career as a production artist in the direct marketing industry in 1995, but his interests in telecommunications, databases and computer networking led him to a career in technology. Mr. Perun has over ten years of experience in creating and supporting print and digital media. He has worked as a computer systems administrator for companies in the direct marketing, spa, cosmetics and hospitality industries, and has over seven years of experience supporting Windows, Macintosh, DOS, Linux, and Unix-based systems and applications. Mr. Perun earned a BA in English Literature from Rutgers College. He is a veteran of the United States Army and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for distinguished performance in M1A1 tank gunnery.

Dennis Walsh, FAA Master Rigger and Soft Goods Production Manager

Dennis Walsh joined Atair Aerospace to manage all parachute and parachute system rigging functions, and Atair's soft goods manufacturing facility.  Mr. Walsh is a retired United States Marine Corps First Sergeant with over 21 years of experience as a military parachute rigger.  Highlights of Mr. Walsh's military career include Military Freefall Jumpmaster qualification, Vector Military Tandem Master qualification for personnel and equipment, service as a member of First Force Reconnaissance Company during the Persian Gulf War, participation in the initial night landing during Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and participation in the initial assault and first six months of Operation Iraqi Freedom combat operations in Iraq.  Following the 1999 crash of a CH-46E Sea Knight Helicopter in the Pacific Ocean which killed five Force Recon Marines, Mr. Walsh developed the initial design for the USMC Full Spectrum Battle Equipment-Amphibious Assault Vest-Quick Release (FSBE-AAV-QR) jettison system used for emergency egress of personnel in water.  The FSBE-AAV-QR system was fielded by the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center.  Mr. Walsh earned a FAA Senior Rigger certificate in 1998, and completed FAA Master Rigger certification in 2006.  Mr. Walsh graduated summa cum laude, with a BS in Criminal Justice Administration from Park University.

Juri Worms, Specialized Products Manager, CNC Machinist and Programmer

Juri Worms joined the Atair Aerospace team to manage all phases of industrial design and functional prototyping. Mr. Worms is an industrial designer and CNC programmer with 10 years expertise in model making, functional prototyping, movie set and sound stage design, SFX design, and operations management. Mr. Worms’ portfolio includes work with the commercial aviation, consumer products, medical, and defense industries. He has worked with high profile clients such as Coca Cola, Lufthansa Airlines, BMW, the Late Show with David Letterman, and Saturday Night Live. Prior to joining Atair, Mr. Worms worked as a CNC programmer with a major New York design firm, and completed several freelance model and prototyping projects for the Atair Micro Onyx system. Mr. Worms earned his BFA at the Technical Design Institute in Muenster, Germany

Angela Yuan, CAD Engineer and Designer

Angela Yuan is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley where she obtained her Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Solid Mechanics. During her undergraduate career, she was awarded a National Science Foundation grant to study metal fatigue characteristics at the Czech Institute for Plasma Physics. Prior to joining Atair, she worked at Mercedes Benz as an environmental engineering intern. Angela’s other interests include physical computing and robotics.