On this episode of ProtoPod, host Jordan Rose welcomes Richard Sumnall, Founder of RackFalcon and a veteran of global security leadership. With 20 years of experience across Europe and North America — including senior roles at Cloudflare, Palo Alto Networks, and Uber — Richard shares deep insights into physical security, privacy-first technology, and what it really takes to protect critical infrastructure. He also breaks down how RackFalcon solves a long-standing challenge for colocation tenants: proving who accessed sensitive hardware, when, and for how long — without relying on shared site systems. The conversation also explores how Protocase supported RackFalcon’s journey from concept to a deployable, rack-ready solution. Finish the episode with a fun rapid-fire segment covering books, tech, best piece of advice, and future goals.

In today's episode, Jordan is joined in-studio by longtime friend and colleague Brett Kelly — Technical Director at 45Drives and one of the key architects behind 45Drives' open-source storage platforms. Brett’s been instrumental in shaping the Storinator and Stornado lineup of storage products, the Direct-Wired Architecture, and the company’s approach to high-performance, open-source storage. Jordan and Brett dive into where the future of storage is heading and how 45Drives keeps pushing the boundaries.

This episode of ProtoPod features Eric Turkington, Chief Product Officer at Rain Stella Technologies, joining us from Abu Dhabi to discuss how RST is transforming healthcare across the Middle East & Africa. Eric shares how Rain Technology and Stella Technology merged to form a unified platform delivering voice-enabled AI, EMR solutions, health information exchange, and surgical workflow automation. We explore the challenges of innovating in clinical environments, what it really takes to scale AI for patient-facing impact, and how RST is deploying systems across 17 healthcare networks in five countries. We also dive into Orva, RST’s voice-AI surgical assistant; Constellation (HIE); Equinox (EMR); and the company’s broader vision for interoperability, analytics, and AI-driven insights. A must-listen for anyone working in digital health, product development, or regulated tech sectors. Tune in now.

On this episode of The ProtoPod, we’re joined by Joe Cavazos — embedded electronics designer, spacecraft avionics architect, and founder of HoustonMicro. With nearly 40 years across NASA, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, and more, Joe has helped build avionics and FPGA systems for the Orion spacecraft, ISS communications, and mission-critical test equipment. Joe shares how he approaches complex hardware design, why testing is the hidden backbone of spacecraft reliability, and how small teams can deliver world-class engineering with the right tools — including his longtime use of Protocase and Protocase Designer for fast, precise prototyping. Listen now to dive into a rare 40-year perspective on spacecraft systems, embedded electronics, and the engineering mindset behind products built to last.    

In this episode of The Protopod, we sit down with David Hagan, founder and CEO of QuantAQ, the company transforming air quality monitoring with high-accuracy, Internet-connected instruments designed to be affordable, scalable, and reliable. David shares how he launched QuantAQ straight out of his MIT PhD, why starting with scientific rigor sets his team apart, and how rapid iteration has fueled their growth from prototype to production—even through supply chain turmoil. We explore the future of air quality data, what’s still missing from today’s monitoring landscape, and how better, faster, real-time information could reshape everything from building operations to public health policy. A must-listen for anyone interested in hardware startups, environmental technology, or building complex products at high velocity.

Today’s guest is Tom Mikolyuk, Mechanical Engineer and early team member at Chiplytics, a Seattle-based startup that’s making the world’s electronics safer by testing chips using a groundbreaking technology called Power Spectrum Analysis. Tom joined Chiplytics as their very first intern — and went on to become their first full-time hire. Since then, he’s helped lead hardware development, product design, and system integration as the company’s grown from concept to funded startup. We’ll talk about how Chiplytics is transforming electronics testing, what it’s like working at the intersection of hardware and software, and the lessons Tom’s learned helping build a company from the ground up.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jason Sicotte — Vice President of Global Product and Engineering for AMFT. Jason has spent more than three decades driving innovation in materials science, spring technologies, and product design across automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors. We’ll talk about how AMFT is engineering resilience into their supply chain, what ‘global yet local’ manufacturing looks like in practice, and how design thinking applies just as much to operations as it does to components.

Today on the ProtoPod, we’re excited to welcome two student leaders from UGA Rocketry — Brooklyn Schnupp and Parsa Novin. As part of the University of Georgia’s student rocketry team, Brooklyn and Parsa competed in the International Rocket Engineering Competition earlier this year, which is the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket event. They’ll be sharing what it’s like to lead a student rocketry team, the challenges and breakthroughs of building rockets from the ground up, and what excites them most about the future of aerospace.

On today's episode, we have Gladys Wong, co-founder of Domatic, a company reinventing how buildings are wired and smart systems deployed. Gladys leads the strategic vision, making smart buildings easier, safer, and more efficient. Also joining us is Josh Horne, Domatic’s technical and hardware lead, who takes the vision and makes it real in the field. Between them, they’ll unpack how Domatic combines low-voltage power and data on one cable, tackles real-world hardware constraints, and drives toward a future where every building is intelligent by default.

On this episode, we’re joined by Olivier Lamarre, a Ph.D. student at the University of Toronto’s STARS Laboratory, where he focuses on advancing planetary rover autonomy. Olivier has collaborated with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and co-founded the McGill Robotics Mars Rover Team, leading them to multiple podium finishes at international competitions. This month, he is joining our friends at NordSpace as a Systems Engineer.

In this episode, Jordan chats with Fred Schenkelberg, an internationally recognized authority in the field of reliability engineering. Fred is the founder of FMS Reliability, where he works with organizations around the world to reduce product risk and boost reliability through smarter design and testing. He’s also behind Accendo Reliability, an online learning platform for reliability professionals. Before founding his own firm, Fred was part of Hewlett-Packard’s elite reliability team, helping instill a culture of long-term performance and quality across the company. With a background in physics and statistics, Fred brings both analytical depth and practical know-how to every conversation, including this episode of the ProtoPod!

In today's episode, we're excited to chat with Alastair Trower, Director of Business Development at Enginuity Inc — an engineering and product development firm based in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada. With a deep appreciation for both technical and creative problem solving, Alastair – or Alf, as he’s commonly known – plays a pivotal role in helping Enginuity turn bold ideas into functional, manufacturable realities. The company is best known for designing and building custom solutions across marine, defense, aerospace, and industrial sectors, and Alastair has been a driving force in helping scale their impact across Canada and beyond.

In today's episode, we talk with Jacob Schmidt, Engineering Manager at AMP. Since joining in 2020, he’s designed some of AMP’s most advanced robotic hardware, including their newest small robot, built entirely from his design. We discuss his path from hands-on mechanical engineer to team leader, his passion for mentorship, and how AMP is using AI and robotics to transform recycling worldwide.

In today's episode, we are excited to chat with the powerhouse father-daughter duo from Sigteq: Larry Murphy, who founded the company over two decades ago, and Laura Murphy, who now leads product and user-experience initiatives. Larry’s background in radio engineering for the London Ambulance Service laid the groundwork for Sigteq’s specialized alerting systems, while Laura brings a fresh, UX-driven perspective to improve usability under pressure. Together, they create custom emergency communications and control solutions for some of the world’s most safety-critical environments.

Today we’re talking with a founding member of the Canadian International Rover Challenge, Justin Gerein — a hands-on, Mars-style robotics competition held each summer in the badlands of Drumheller, Alberta. He’s an engineering manager at Calian Composites, a mechanical engineer by training, and a leader in designing high-performance composite systems — including one of the first Q/V band carbon fiber ground station antennas. We’ll chat about how CIRC is building the next generation of space engineers, the role of collaboration and failure in innovation, and how ProtoSpace is helping teams bring their rover designs to life.

In today's episode, we're excited to chat with Tom Mudd, Head of Technical at digiLED, one of the world’s leading makers of enormous, high-definition LED screens. Tom's journey spans from backstage at major music tours to tackling massive AV installations at stadiums and global venues. He brings to the table a rare blend of hands-on technical know-how and creative solution-building—especially when it comes to reducing power consumption in traditionally wasteful displays.

In today's episode, we’re joined by Heather Smith, a contracted NASA Research Scientist working with The Kiss Institute. With a focus on Mars and its moons, she develops life-detection instruments and strategies to keep space missions clean and science-ready. Her path includes a PhD in Biological Engineering, a master’s in Space Studies, and dual bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Psychology. From Space Camp counselor to NASA Postdoc and AAAS Fellow, she’s built a career exploring the question: Are we alone?

In today's episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Garrett Partridge, the CEO of ARC Technology Solutions, a powerhouse in custom test systems, obsolescence mitigation, and rapid hardware solutions for aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors. Now leading one of New England’s most agile tech companies, Garrett blends real-world innovation with visionary leadership, tackling complex challenges head-on, from cutting-edge electronics design to workforce development and industry collaboration.

In this episode, we are excited to be joined by Bryan Gilliom, President & CTO of Message Point Media—a leader in digitaldisplays for over 100 transit systems across North America. We explore how his team uses rapid prototyping, semi-custom manufacturing, and global collaboration—with Protocase as a key partner in bringing fast-turn ideas to life. Hear how one whiteboard session sparked a company shift—and what it takes to scale smart in a 24/7 world.

In this episode, we are excited to be joined by Brendan O’Brien, Head of R&D at Vorne Industries, a company known for its durable, equipment-agnostic solutions that help manufacturers track productivity and minimize downtime. With a background in mechanical engineering, data analytics, and sustainability, Brendan brings a global perspective and a people-first approach to driving lasting improvements in manufacturing.