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Richard “Rick” McNeight received a
BS degree in January 1973 from University of Wisconsin -
Milwaukee in Applied Science and Engineering with a dual major
in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (Cum Laude) and
an MSE degree from University of Michigan in Computer
Information and Control Engineering in August 1978 (Summa Cum
Laude).
Rick started his career as a
Software Engineer with North Electric Company in Galion, Ohio,
writing computer programs for controlling telephone systems.
After receiving his graduate degree, he transferred to the ITT
International Telecommunications Division in Cape Canaveral,
Florida, where he worked as a Software Engineering Manager for
international telecommunications systems. He advanced through
several management positions to become Director of Software
Engineering, supervising 125 software developers, writing real
time telecommunications systems software.
Upon leaving ITT Rick took a 1-1/2
year overseas assignment with Siemens GmbH, Munich, Germany,
where he was a member of an international task force assigned to
develop their 10 year strategic plan for future
telecommunications systems.
In 1982 Rick co-founded Paravant
Computer Systems, Inc. in Satellite Beach, Florida, to develop
portable computers that could be used outdoors in extreme
weather conditions and operate under severe drop and vibration.
Paravant developed the world’s first rugged MS-DOS handheld
computer, the RHC-88, which won the 1988 Governor’s Award for
the Best New Product in the state of Florida. The RHC-88
primarily was used for outdoor industrial computing applications
such as electric/gas meter reading, forestry, surveying, police,
fire and emergency medical.
Paravant went on to develop the
first rugged military laptop computer which was one of the few
computers to survive in the 1991 Desert Storm conflict.
As President and Chief Operating
Officer, Rick led Paravant Computer Systems, Inc., in a very
successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) on NASDAQ on June 3,
1996.
Rick orchestrated the sale of
Paravant to DRS Technologies, Inc., in November 2002. He became
President of the newly formed DRS Tactical Systems Strategic
Business Unit, consisting of all the Paravant and DRS rugged
computer and display companies in England, Maryland, New York,
Colorado, West Palm Beach and Melbourne, Florida.
Under Rick’s leadership DRS Tactical
Systems, with over 400 employees and nearly $200M revenue, has
become the worldwide leader in the design and production of
rugged computers for military systems. DRS TS today is the
leading supplier of military computers for both the US
Department of Defense (DOD) and the United Kingdom Ministry of
Defence (MOD).
On June 1, 2006 DRS Tactical Systems
was awarded the largest contract in its history ($396M) to
produce over 45,000 Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below
(FBCB2) computer systems to be installed in Army fighting
vehicles providing real time situational awareness and blue
force tracking to our soldiers.
Over the years Rick and his company
have been recognized with numerous awards, most recently:
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Founders
Forum and EDC Florida Space Coast 2006 Entrepreneur of the
Year
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Dale Carnegie
International Leadership award – 2006
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Best Place to
Work in Brevard County three years running (2003, 2004,
2005)
-
Florida Today
Volunteer Recognition “Business of the Year” – 2001
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The State of
Florida Governor’s Leadership Award – 2001
Rick has always been extremely
active in the community currently holding positions on the
following boards:
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Brevard
Workforce Development Board (BWDB)
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Brevard
Business Leadership Network Advisory Board
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Florida Tech
School of Management Board of Overseers
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Florida Tech
Engineering Board of Overseers
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Melbourne
Central Catholic High School Advisory Board
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Holy Name of
Jesus School Facilities Committee
Personal:
Married to Teresa (DiLoreto) for 23
years with 3 children, ages 12, 18 and 20. His
family enjoys
tennis, boating, water skiing, snow skiing and worldwide travel.
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