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Team Members
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Grayson Randall
Grayson Randall is founder and team leader of Insight Racing. He is responsible for the overall system design and architecture of our Grand Challenge entry. Grayson started the team in early 2003 in response to the initial DARPA Grand Challenge. Grayson is a senior software engineer at IBM. He has 25 years experience in systems design and architecture. At IBM, he has worked on projects involved with manufacturing automation, digital video processing, set top box designs, as well as |
network processors for high speed network communications. He has experience as lead designer and provided technical leadership on projects of up to 40 programmers. He is currently involved in PowerPC processor development. Grayson's work includes nine patent and several publications. Prior to IBM Grayson had 5 years experience in the development of commercial and military flight simulators. Grayson holds a BSAE from Parks College of St. Louis University. He is Chairman of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Chapter for Eastern North Carolina. He also mentors a FIRST high school robotics team which won first place in the 2004 international competition as well as numerous other awards. |
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Mike Randall
Michael Randall holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and is a Software Engineer with EMC². At EMC², Michael specializes in Design Verification and Testing. His previous business experience includes 5 years of software development including entrepreneurial endeavors where he helped to co-found a wireless software company. He is also a founding member of Insight Technologies. He received an entrepreneurial award from |
the IEEE for these ventures. His experience includes all phases of software development and testing. |
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Steve Kuekes
Steve Kuekes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Steve founded Tangram Enterprise Solutions, a computer software company, and helped grow it to a public company with over 100 employees and $30 million in revenue over 20 years before retiring in 2004. He architected and supervised the development of Tangram’s two major software products that included over two million lines of code over 8 different computing |
system platforms including large mainframe computers, Unix mid-range, and Windows desktop systems. He served as the Chief Technical officer and was a member of the Board of Directors. In addition, He has been on the Strategic Advisory Board for the Department of Computer Science at North Carolina State University for the last six years.
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Amit Bhatia
Amit Bhatia is responsible for the Camera Vision processing for the Insight Racing team. He was part of the team for the Grand Challenge in 2005, and his primary role was to integrate stereo vision in the overall system. He is a Senior Engineer at Ericsson and has been associated with Information Technology in varied fields of Networking, ERP, and E-commerce technologies. He has been working in the image segmentation area of Vision processing |
on the Linux platform and also has interests in Pattern Recognition. He received his Bachelors in Electrical Engineering form IT-BHU, India in 1995 and Masters in Computer Science from NCSU in 2004. He is currently pursuing a PhD from NCSU.
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David Scott
David Scott holds a BS in Computer Science from Binghamton University and an MS in Computer Science from Syracuse University. David developed industry leading test generation software with IBM and then later with Cadence. Dave has over 20 years of experience in developing highly complex software across a distributed environment. In his free time David enjoys singing in a Barbershop Quartet, and Chorus. |
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Walt Sliva
Walt Sliva holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering as well as an M.S. in Business Economics. His business experience includes over twenty years in the Automotive/Truck markets including off road vehicles with a Fortune 100 company with progressive responsibilities. He started as an R&D engineer, and progressed through a number of management roles culminating with being elected Corporate Vice |
President and General Manager of a $300 million division. After his retirement Walt has immersed himself in a number of volunteer activities including mentoring high school students in the FIRST Robotics program, serving on the Board of Directors of Life Experiences and presently an Adjunct Lecturer at North Carolina State University in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. |
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Mary Ellen Randall
Mary Ellen Randall holds a BA in Mathematics and an MS in Computer Science from Binghamton University. Mary Ellen is founder of Ascot Technologies, Inc., a company which develops application software for cell phones and wireless devices. Previously, Mary Ellen spent 22 years with IBM in a variety of technical and management positions in software development, hardware development, digital video, client/server services, |
system test, new product introduction, and routinely managed projects on an international scale. Mary Ellen is a charter member of the Project Management Institute’s Binghamton, NY Chapter and chairs the world-wide IEEE Women In Engineering Committee. She was named one of 25 top Women In Business in 2005 in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina.
Brian Dean
Brian Dean joined Insight Racing in 2004 and is responsible for vehicle controls (including steering, throttle, and brake)electronics and sensors, emergency stop systems, remote control operations, and obstacle avoidance. Brian founded BDMICRO-LLC, a company that designs and manufactures high performance robot controllers and motion control components. Insight Racing made extensive use of BDMICRO-LLC products in the 2005 Grand Challenge. Brian earned a BS in Physics in 1989 and an MS in Computer Science in 1991 from West Virginia University and has over 15 years of professional software development experience.
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Brian Deery
Brian Deery recently graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Electrical and Computer Engineering from NCSU. He currently works for MTS Sensors, a Cary based linear position sensor company. Although Brian's specialty is embedded system design, he contributes to the power distribution system throughout the vehicle. His industry experience includes the design of an electronic switch built into high-end Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
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Brian also holds a private pilot's license.
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Shep Pitts
Shep Pitts is currently an Electrical Engineering PhD Student at North Carolina State University under Dr. Paul Franzon. His PhD topic concerns Nanocrystals and Extreme Environment Circuits. He holds BS degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, and a MS degree in Electrical Engineering from NCSU. Shep is responsible for the Lone Wolf's environmental systems, mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, and mechanical
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prototyping/fabrication. These responsibilities dovetail nicely with his background in frame off vehicle restoration, mechanical design and automotive retrofitting. In addition, Shep is mentoring several independent study students on a project that deals with 3D scene reconstruction using a blend of custom hardware and software.
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Jason Burkhart
Jason Burkhart is a Junior in Electrical Engineering wanting to specialize in control systems at NC State University. He is an Eagle Scout and graduated 5th in his class from East Davidson High School in Thomasville, NC. Jason is currently in the process of getting his private pilots license. Through the summers he worked with his dad's engineering company; Beta Engineering, and their head engineer. When he finishes his degree he plans to
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go to work for Beta Engineering and take the place of his mentor. He works on the mounting and upkeep of the sensors on Lone Wolf. He also helps with any other hardware odd jobs that need to be done.
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David Irwin
David Irwin graduated from NC State University in May, 2007 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He worked as a Design Engineering Co-op for Analog Devices Inc during his undergraduate studies, and he is currently a Software Verification Contractor for Kidde Aerospace & Defense. David assists the team with installation andsoldering. |
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