Our Team
- Ryan Riel – President, CTO
- Adam Calihman – Chief Operations Officer
- Timothy Riley – Director of Business Development
- David Thomson – Chief Science Officer
- Nicholas Jentzsch – Chief Design Engineer
- Tarrol Peterson - VP, Strategic Alliances
- BJ Carter - Chairman of the Board
Ryan Riel – President, CTO
B.A. Physics - University of Colorado, Boulder
As President and CTO, Ryan Riel leads the technical and product development with a strong background in systems engineering specializing in sensors, software, airborne platforms, and aerospace engineering. Through years of research and development Mr. Riel has qualified the theoretical background of the SDS concept and demonstrated its place among the most sophisticated and versatile technologies in the world. Riel’s efforts continually advance the company’s IP, patents, technical relationships and developments towards commercial realization.
Mr. Riel has provided over 5 years software and system consulting services to Droplet Measurement Technologies, who specializes in developing instrumentation for the atmospheric sciences. Mr. Riel played an instrumental role in a large majority of DMT projects including: High altitude atmospheric research on the WB57, Boeing FAA icing certification for the 787 Dreamliner, helicopter FAA icing certification for Qinetiq, Beijing Weather Modification Office (WMO) research and cloud seeding systems, and the recent NOAA Hurricane hunter installed on the P3. These systems required embedded PC-104 computer systems that could withstand the most harsh environments and the ability to acquire, save, and display real time sensor data.
Additional experience includes thermal and vacuum testing for space based systems, raman spectroscopy for oil analysis, and a wide range algorithms used to process incoming data including sensor calibration, peak detection, peak fitting, numeric peak integration, and signal processing. Mr. Riel’s earned his Bachelors of Arts in Physics from the University of Colorado, that included graduate work in General Relativity.
Adam Calihman – COO
B.A. Environmental Studies – University of Rochester
Adam Calihman's responsibilities lie in overseeing business management, marketing, product development, licensing and operations. Adam's unique marketing abilities allow him to connect with a wide range of high and low end users. Adam contributes to the management and strategic planning of projects and programs.
Previously, Mr. Calihman performed marketing and scientific research of cutting-edge energy and defense technologies for Eltron Research and Development Inc, of Boulder, CO. Since 2000, his expertise with experimental research, analysis, and prototyping has yielded successes in a number of privately and publicly funded phase I, II, and III R&D projects. While living and working in New York Mr. Calihman engaged in accounting, finance and regulatory compliance work.
Tim Riley – Director of Business Development
B.A. Psychology 1998 – The College of William and Mary
Timothy Riley acts as the Director of Business Development for Lucid Dimensions. Mr. Riley is responsible for identifying, structuring and nurturing strategic business and technology relationships. He provides essential experience in identifying, negotiating, and closing strategic transactions and building relationships with key business partners. He plays a key role in the development of business strategy, analysis of market opportunities, and development of business plans including sales, marketing, and financing to further the company’s business objectives.
Mr. Riley graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor of Arts degree, having double-majored in Psychology and Religion. After college he continued his study in Psychology, entering a Graduate program in Clinical Psychology at Naropa University. Mr. Riley has worked in various business sectors, in each combining his psychological training with his interest and knowledge of technology and computers. Previous experience includes technology and communications consulting with the American Bankers Association, environmental research and investigation of possible superfund sites as well as, consulting small businesses in the area of employee management.
David Thomson, Ph.D. – Chief Science Officer
Ph.D. and M.S. in Physics – University of Virginia
B.A. in Physics and French – Lawrence University
Dave Thomson is responsible for conceptual development of the spherical receiver concept in various physical systems and incorporating these findings into software packages. David will focus on developing the data acquisition and control systems for the new sensor systems and implement tracking algorithms for locating sources in 3D.
Since 1990, David Thomson has worked at the Earth Systems Research Lab (formerly Aeronomy Lab) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder, CO.
Since 1997, David has also been the principal of Original Code Consulting, which provides LabVIEW programming and system integration to a wide range of industrial, commercial, education, and government clients. Original Code is a National Instruments Alliance member, and David is a Certified LabVIEW Developer, a Certified Instrument Driver Developer, and a charter member of the LabVIEW Champions program.
David has co-authored over three dozen articles for peer reviewed journals as well as several magazine articles, on subjects ranging from atomic physics, optics, and atmospheric chemistry to scientific instrumentation and software architecture.
Nicholas Jentzsch, Chief Design Engineer
B.S. Physics - University of Northern Colorado
Mr. Jentzsch is instrumental in the design and construction of mechanical parts for use in developing Lucid Dimensions’ concepts into prototypes. Through solid modeling, precision machining, welding, and mechanical engineering, Nick provides an essential role in the R&D team.
Tarrol Peterson (SFC USA, RET.), VP - Strategic Alliances
Mr. Peterson offers Lucid his leadership and tactical experience obtained with over 20 year service with the U.S. Army. Mr Peterson has over 45 months deployed as a Soldier in Combat. Deployed as a Soldier in Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Haiti Kuwait and five deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraq Freedom. As the former head of the Army Sniper School and current member of the Army Sniper Association, Mr. Peterson understands the operational requirements of the military and security in the Global War on Terrorism. His experience makes him well suited to present Lucid’s technology as a solution to the end user.
BJ Carter, Chairman of the Board
BJ Carter is an established senior technology business leader combining strategic vision, flawless execution, continuous improvement and exceptional people development skills to create extraordinary bottom line results. He is able to focus on long-term business objectives while accomplishing tasks at hand. Mr. Carter has a career-long track record in business-building and turn-arounds, and exceeding expectations through passion for excellence in all contexts.
While serving as Managing Director for Bell Aliant/Xwave from 2002-2009, Mr. Carter created and led go-to-market strategies to drive revenue across all lines of business. As a member of a team responsible for annual sales of more than $300M, Mr. Carter personally grew US revenue from less than $2M to more than $31M. He also led 250 sales, marketing, finance and service personnel in designing and delivering IT solutions to healthcare, government, and public safety markets in the U.S. and internationally.
As President/COO of Inacom from 2001-2002 Mr. Carter promoted to design and implement corporate strategy to improve profitability and prepare company for sale. He repositioned the company and exceeded all pre-divestiture objectives by improving organizational talent, restoring customer good-will, expanding market penetration and establishing solid backlog of profitable clients. Mr. Carter led the company through the divestiture process ahead of schedule, exceeding all financial goals.
As a former U.S. Army Paratrooper, in the 82nd Airborne Division, Mr. Carter understands the crucial dynamic between leadership and team work. His personal experiences provide a crucial understanding of the warfighter that allow us to better interact with many of our clients and partners.