Nice News: Surna Appoints 20-Year Design Engineer Todd Whitaker to VP-Engineering
BOULDER, CO--(Marketwired - Sep 17, 2014) - Surna Inc. (OTCQB: SRNA), a company that develops, acquires, produces and sells equipment for the legal marijuana industry with a focus on disruptive technology, today announced it has appointed Todd Whitaker, a veteran mechanism design expert with more than 20 years' experience, to Vice President -- Engineering. With the addition of Mr. Whitaker, this brings to six the number of engineers on staff at Surna.
Mr. Whitaker's experience ranges from designing core systems for the Mars Phoenix Lander and Mars Rovers for NASA, to extensive experience in sealed systems, thermal system design, chemistry mechanisms and advanced production polymers and fiber reinforced composites -- primarily with developmental and emerging growth companies.
"Todd brings Surna actual space-age technology design, development and production expertise," said Tom Bollich, Surna CEO. "This fits seamlessly with my vision for Surna as a pioneer of leading edge, disruptive technology for the legal Cannabis growing industry. I plan for Surna to learn from the technological success of the NASA Mars vehicles and AV8-B Harrier attack aircraft, to which Todd contributed. Both of these were radical breakthroughs and used incredibly advanced materials such as fiber reinforced composites.
"For his considerable experience in entrepreneurial companies, Todd further brings a Six Sigma credential and its disciplined, highly organized systems approach to developing and managing complex product roadmaps and manufacturing. I am delighted to welcome Todd to Surna.
"With Todd on board, I am proud to report Surna has what I strongly believe to be the most robust engineering department in the industry," Mr. Bollich added.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Whitaker said, "Like every other Colorado resident, I have seen the Cannabis industry's positive impact on our economy, and understand the enormous potential of legal US and global cannabis industry, with its demand for innovative grow room technology. As the cannabis industry is still in its infancy, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Surna as we seek to transform the industry technologically while knowing that it will be a catalyst for other industry as well."
Todd Whitaker Bio
Todd Whitaker brings to Surna over 20 years of mechanical engineering and technology development experience. This includes expertise developing and leading highly technical design projects, most notably designing core systems for the Mars Phoenix Lander and Mars Rovers for NASA. With a strong background in sealed systems, thermal system design, and chemistry mechanisms coupled with solid experience utilizing advanced materials including fiber reinforced composites and engineering polymers -- he brings the Surna engineering team a unique skill set and leadership capability.
Previous to Surna, Mr. Whitaker was CTO for Impulse Composites, a developmental stage composite design company, where he invented and patented a key, high-performance product component, and was instrumental in its business planning and corporate development. He remains a member of its Board of Directors.
Prior, Mr. Whitaker served for nearly three years as Senior Design Engineer for MMA Design, a designer and producer of spacecraft components. Earlier, he served for six years as Product Engineer at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, a US defense subcontractor, where he designed key system components, for the US Navy AV8-B Harrier high performance attack-fighter jet, and was instrumental in developing manufacturing processes. There, he earned his credential as a Six-Sigma green belt.
Innovation and entrepreneurship are consistent themes throughout Mr. Whitaker's career as he has developed and patented several product concepts and founded several companies. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
