Andrew Wilder, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

An owner of Ripple, Andrew is in his tenth year with the company. During his tenure Andrew has contributed in many roles from managing the software development team to leading sales, finance, operations, and business development efforts. As Chief Executive Officer, Andrew is focused on expanding Ripple’s portfolio of cutting edge neuro-technologies and growing these technologies into great companies that have a profound and lasting impact on the clinical neuro-therapeutic, and neuroscience research markets.

Andrew earned his Ph.D in Computer Science from the University of Utah. His research focused on developing a neuro-assistive device for people with spinal cord injury. As part of this effort he developed software systems to control functional electrical stimulation on hundreds of electrodes implanted in peripheral nerves. Andrew started at Ripple in 2009 as a software engineer developing applications for control of stimulation and real-time visualization of neural data. In his spare time Andrew cultivates his life-long passion for outdoor adventure.

Scott Hiatt, ME

Chief Technology Officer

Scott has developed many commercial mixed-signal systems for neural signal acquisition and stimulation, with particular emphasis on very low amplitude mixed-signal circuit design and hardware level programming. As Chief Technology Officer, Scott’s work is focused on fully implantable biopotential recording systems and next generation highly selective implantable stimulators to facilitate new research in bioelectric medicine, brain machine interfaces and basic neuroscience understanding. Scott completed his Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering while working in the Center of Neural Engineering at the University of Utah under the direction of Professor Richard Normann developing stimulation hardware, firmware and drivers to explore reanimation of paralyzed limbs by selective simultaneous access to hundreds of microelectrodes.

Scott deployed as a Forward Observer for the Mortar Section of C. Co 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance in the United States Marine Corps for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. He ended his military service in 2005 as a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve. He and his wife Mieka have 5 children, and are all most happy exploring the National Parks.

Kyle Loizos, PhD

Director of Neuroscience Products and Sales

Kyle earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of Utah, working on computational tools for advancing neuroprosthetics in the lab of Dr. Gianluca Lazzi. His research focused on improving the efficacy of electrical stimulation used in retinal and hippocampal prosthetics for patients with degenerative diseases. Additionally, Kyle has professional experience in digital and physical product design in the consumer electronics, defense, and medical space.

Alex Thiessen, PhD

Engineering Technical Lead and Principal Materials Engineer

Alex received his Masters degree in Chemistry at the University of Cologne in Germany with a focus on organic light-emitting diode materials. He then moved on to investigate electro-optical properties of organic molecules and polymer chains on a single-molecule level at the University of Utah where he received his Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics. Alex is now driving the development of Ripple’s implantable printed flexible electrodes.

Ian Brown

Director of Product Engineering

Ian is an Electrical Engineer with broad experience across multiple engineering disciplines including electronics printed circuit assembly, software and firmware implementation, dynamic mechanisms and mechanical component design, manufacturing process and equipment design and introduction. Ian has been working in regulated industries, mostly providing medical devices, since 2005.  Ian has a deep understanding of design control practices and quality management systems.  With a long history in engineering management and organizational leadership, Ian is an inspirational leader with a focus on getting things done and doing things well.  Ian completed his BSEE at Brigham Young University with an emphasis in autonomous controls and embedded systems.

Steve Barrus, MS

Engineering Technical Lead and Senior R&D Engineer

Steve has a background in both Computer Science and Computer Engineering that gives him a unique ability to solve difficult engineering challenges with both hardware and software and to know when to use each solution. It also makes him well-suited to work in domains that require both disciplines, like firmware development, system design, and validation. Steve earned his MS in CS, BS in CS, and BS in CE from the University of Utah.

Franky Curry, PhD

Materials Engineer

Franky received his Ph.D in Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah working under Dr. Huanan Zhang in the Bioelectronics Research Group. His research focused on the optimization of tissue-compliant nanocomposite films exhibiting high electrical conductives for use in implantable electronic applications. At Ripple, Franky has been working on the development of the manufacturing process of implantable printed electrodes and characterization of electrode performance. Franky prefers to spend the majority of his free time practicing the piano with some time left over for cooking, socializing and exercising.

Paul DeMann

Mechanical and Process Engineering Manager

Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2019 from the University of Utah. While pursuing this degree, he worked as an R&D mechanical engineer at Ultradent Products in South Jordan Utah. He has over ten years of experience in the medical device design industry and is passionate about creating meaningful relationships between mechanical design and quality systems. Outside of work Paul enjoys playing drums, triathlons, and playing video games with his wife.

Tomas Jordan, PhD

Software Engineer

Tomas is a biomedical engineer with broad experience in developing neurostimulation technologies and writing software for medical imaging systems. He earned his Ph.D. at Dartmouth College where he worked in the Functional and Molecular Imaging Lab with Professor Geoffrey Luke. Tomas’ doctoral research focused on enhancing the effects of ultrasound neuromodulation using neuron bound piezoelectric nanotransducers. At Ripple, Tomas is working on developing software for automated hardware testing. Outside of work, he enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and photography.

Jay Windley

Senior Software Engineer

Jay comes from a diverse background that includes cybersecurity, aerospace, and high-performance computing.  His projects center around the real-time and near-RT processing of large data sets.  At Ripple, he contributes to the neural interface processor software.  Jay received a BSCS from Kansas State University in 1991.  He was a member of the Alpha_1 research group at the University of Utah, specializing in automated engineering design and manufacturing.

Mather Reeves

Manufacturing Process Engineer

Mather received his bachelor’s degree in Biological Anthropology from the University of Utah in 2016. He has a broad range of laboratory experience working in a genetics lab during his undergrad and moving into stem cell research after graduation where he studied the restorative properties of mesenchymal stem cells to cure degenerative diseases. While not at work, you can find Mather in his at-home music studio writing and producing his own music.

Samuel Anderson

Electrical Engineer

Sam has a wide background in engineering. His areas of expertise are in convergent failure analysis, electronics hardware design, quality and process development, mechanical design, patents, design for harsh environments, and machine learning for vision systems.

He began studying electronics, specifically, more than a decade ago, eventually earning his AAS in EET and BS in Electrical Engineering from Weber State University. He chose this route to couple the theoretical design side of electronics engineering with the practical application of those theories. To further push his skills and gain a better understanding of business, he designed and launched his own product. This product has been successful in reaching the depths of the Black Sea, launched in a rocket to space, been a part of open-source medical devices, and many other incredible applications.

Sam’s focus has always been on helping solve problems. Ripple’s statement to “restore health and advance human potential” aligns well with his desire to do that which will have a positive impact on all around him.

Above all, his family is the most important part of his life: reading books or fishing with his kids and eating ice cream with his wife, Jessica, are definitely highlights.

Taylor Hearn, MS

Systems Engineer and Support Manager

Taylor earned his M.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Arizona State University studying the effects of vagus and trigeminal nerve stimulation on human cognitive performance with Dr. Jamie Tyler. He has experience recording and stimulating the nervous system, both invasively and noninvasively, in mouse, rat, non-human primate, and human models. Professionally, his background spans academia, government, and private sector work, all focused on advancing neurotechnology.

Lena Memmott

Human Resources Manager

Lena studied at the University of Utah where she investigated the Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm in combination with driving attention and memory spans in the Applied Cognition Lab. She graduated with a degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition and Neural Science. Currently, Lena serves as the Human Resources Manager and helps develop our company culture. She also assists with marketing and preparation of federal research grants awarded to Ripple.

Lynda Eads

Accounting Manager

As Accounting Manager, Lynda brings 35 years of accounting experience to Ripple. She previously worked mainly for small family owned businesses, giving her a chance to learn a variety of industries. She specializes in preparing and analyzing financial statements, managing accounting staff, integrating new technology, and building long-term relationships with customers, vendors, and employees. Lynda manages all aspects of our accounting department, but particularly vital to her role is the management of government contracts and grants. Lynda graduated from Weber State with a degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. She is most happy spending time with her family and relaxing at the beach.

Ginger Neil

Quality Manager

Ginger started her Medical Device career at Ortho Development in 1995 where she worked in the manufacturing cleanroom. She then shifted gears taking a job in quality assurance at Cyberkinetics in 2005. In 2008 she joined the team at Ripple, helping to develop the exceptional robustness and reliability that Ripple products now provide. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, camping and hiking in the beautiful outdoors that Utah has to offer.

Amanda Langford

Fulfillment Manager

As the Fulfillment Manager, Amanda interacts with and directs production, inventory and purchasing teams. As a critical part of fulfilling customer orders, she also has daily interactions with members of the Sales and Support Teams. Amanda began at Ripple 5 years ago as a Manufacturing Technician, moved on to managing purchasing and supply chain, and has since built on those skills to execute in her current position.

In her free time Amanda enjoys picking up heavy stuff and putting it down again aka. Powerlifting, doing anything creative and hangin’ with her daughter, Maya.

Josef Avaud

Senior Electronics Technician

Josef Avaud earned a degree in electronics at College Technique De La Sagesse and a degree in Cooling and Heating at Byblos institute, Beirut Lebanon. As a technician Josef has a passion for troubleshooting and repairing electronic and electromechanical assemblies. Over the past 12 years he gained extensive technical ability and expertise in Human Machine Interface product working at Beijer and Micronet, before bringing that experience to Ripple.

Roy Hover

Manufacturing Engineer

Roy Hover earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the ITT Technical Institute. He has worked in electronics manufacturing for over 10 years, and is experienced in every facet of manufacturing, from assembly to final testing and trouble shooting. He joined Ripple earlier this year, and has already proven himself to be a dedicated and a detail-oriented technician.

Rocky Judd

Electronics Technician

Rocky has spent the last 10 years working on a variety of electronic assemblies and is experienced in all areas of manufacturing along with being certified in IPC 7711/7721 and J-STD-001. As a repair technician, Rocky has worked on numerous Class 3 assemblies for military use which involved fine pitch rework, testing and fully populating complex and unique PCB’s.
In his free time, Rocky enjoys fly fishing, snowboarding and everything else outdoors.

Starla Baca

Cleanroom Manufacturing Technician

Starla has over a decade of medical device manufacturing experience. Within her recent seven years in the industry, Starla performed a variety of different functional and tensile testing. Starla worked closely with the engineering team on many different projects, achieving the highest level of quality. Her current skillset includes an extreme eye for detail and exceptional organizational skills. Starla is currently enrolled at Salt Lake Community College earning an associate’s degree in science. Starla enjoys spending time with family, attending live comedy shows, hiking, fishing, crafting, DIY projects, and photography.

Camila Bonola

Cleanroom Manufacturing Technician

Camila started her journey in the manufacturing and production area in 2004, working with different types of products and companies, from hospital product production, food, pharmaceutical, and lastly the production of defense articles for defense contractors. She worked in the assembly and quality area at the same time. Working side-by-side with engineers and the quality team, making sure the product has the quality required by the customer and together finishing projects on time. Camila was able to have the opportunity to have her IPC-J-SDT-001 certificate in soldering along with final inspection quality stamp and secret clearance. She likes to pay attention to details and debating ideas for improving the project to be carried out. In her free time, Camila enjoys being with her family, going to the movies, discovering new restaurants, traveling, shopping, relaxing at home, and hanging out with friends.