Brad DeRoos was named Vice President for Research and Development at the WVHTC Foundation in June 2005. He is responsible for leading the Foundation’s initiatives which are focused on developing and maturing innovative technologies for internal, commercial, and government clients with a goal of creating self-sustaining business entities.

Mr. DeRoos has managed technology development for government and commercial clients for the past 20 years with specialization in the rapid prototyping of hardware and electro-mechanical systems for Department of Defense clients. The research and development efforts that he has managed span diverse technology areas – from advanced armor solutions for mobility platforms to transportable communication devices.

Currently, he is managing a staff of engineers and scientists who are developing state-of-the-art solutions designed to enhance business and field operations. DeRoos oversees collaborative software development for: manufacturers, law enforcement personnel, and technology transfer professionals; advanced robotic vehicle technologies for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) bomb technicians and law enforcement bomb squads; and, wireless communication technologies that will enhance connectivity between individuals in military and civilian incident response scenarios.

DeRoos received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979 and his master’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, in 1987. While in the Navy, he served as a nuclear engineer on board the nuclear submarine USS Philadelphia which sailed out of New London, Connecticut. That tour of duty was followed by an assignment to the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Mystic in San Diego, where he served as the assistant officer in charge. The Mystic is a deep-diving submersible tasked with research, rescue and recovery operations. In 1989, he joined Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, OH. While at Battelle, he managed the Special Operations and Counter Terrorism Program Office which was responsible for the rapid prototyping of new technologies for Special Operations Forces, the law enforcement community, and other government agencies involved in the Global War on Terrorism. He has numerous technical accomplishments including nine patents, two R&D 100 awards from R&D Magazine, the Bausch and Lomb Award, and a Who’s Who of Business Leaders award.