Overview

Overview

Founded in 1999, Artis provides innovative systems and solutions for defense, security, safety and other technology-intensive markets.

We specialize in solving complex challenges, especially in areas of motion measurement, sensors and detection.

We are committed to engineering and design excellence, helping to forge new ideas and turning them into reality. From active protection systems to digital armor to safety sensor networks to simulation and modeling, our government and industry customers have come to depend upon our ability to meet deadlines and to exceed expectations.

Artis is a 100 percent American-owned small business.

QAS International Registered Company image and certificate number

Founded in 1999, Artis provides innovative systems and solutions for defense, security, safety and other technology-intensive markets.

We specialize in solving complex challenges, especially in areas of motion measurement, sensors and detection.

We are committed to engineering and design excellence, helping to forge new ideas and turning them into reality. From active protection systems to digital armor to safety sensor networks to simulation and modeling, our government and industry customers have come to depend upon our ability to meet deadlines and to exceed expectations.

Artis is a 100 percent American-owned small business.

QAS International Registered Company image and certificate number

LOCATIONS

LOCATIONS

Brick building, Artis headquarters in Herndon, Virginia
Artis Headquarters

480 Springpark Place
Suite 1000
Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703 964 0420
Fax: 703 435 2199

Building exterior, Artis lab in Utah
Artis Laboratories

4246 South Riverboat Road 
Suite 450 
Salt Lake City, UT 84123 
Tel: 801 328 1385

Front of building, Artis Tech Lab
Artis Tech Lab

259 Sunset Park Drive
Herndon, VA 20170

3 images, clean shop workspace, vehicles working outdoors and staff working indoors at live fire range
Artis Live Fire Test Range

West Virginia

Brick building, Artis headquarters in Herndon, Virginia
Artis Headquarters

480 Springpark Place
Suite 1000
Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703 964 0420
Fax: 703 435 2199

Building exterior, Artis lab in Utah
Artis Laboratories

4246 South Riverboat Road 
Suite 450 
Salt Lake City, UT 84123 
Tel: 801 328 1385

Front of building, Artis Tech Lab
Artis Tech Lab

259 Sunset Park Drive
Herndon, VA 20170

3 images, clean shop workspace, vehicles working outdoors and staff working indoors at live fire range
Artis Live Fire Test Range

West Virginia

SENIOR STAFF

SENIOR STAFF

The Artis staff consists of highly experienced professionals in technical disciplines required to design, build and test advanced, real-time information systems. Projects are completed by a team of seasoned and knowledgeable scientists, engineers, programmers and technical managers using the latest, state-of-the-art tools and equipment. We can take your project from an idea or specification to a fully functioning prototype ready for manufacturing.

The Artis staff consists of highly experienced professionals in technical disciplines required to design, build and test advanced, real-time information systems. Projects are completed by a team of seasoned and knowledgeable scientists, engineers, programmers and technical managers using the latest, state-of-the-art tools and equipment. We can take your project from an idea or specification to a fully functioning prototype ready for manufacturing.

Keith Brendley

Keith Brendley, President and CEO

Mr. Brendley founded Artis in 1999, and serves as its president and as chair of the company’s board of directors. He is a leading authority on active protection systems designed to defeat a wide range of threats to warfighters, and has particular expertise in high-speed computer processing and safety systems.

Previously, he worked at Noesis, Inc., an R&D firm later acquired by QinetiQ North America. There, he established and led the Advanced Real Time Information Systems (ARTIS) division, and was responsible for marketing, personnel and technical performance. Previously, he was vice president at the Defense Group Inc., where he was responsible for technology-related activities including product development, information management and IT personnel.

From 1994-96, he was program manager at Sarcos Research Corp., where he led projects primarily related to advanced human-machine interfaces, such as the Soldier Mobility Station, designed for realistic physical connection to a virtual environment, and the Human Exoskeletal System, designed to function as a “superman suit.”

From 1985-94, he was senior analyst for the RAND Corporation, where he led interdisciplinary teams of professionals engaged in some of the firm’s largest and most visible projects. Much of the research used high-fidelity simulation to examine the utility of future technologies, primarily for land warfare, including rapid force projection that eventually led to creation of the Rapid Force Projection Initiative (RFPI) adopted by U.S. Army. He helped establish the RAND Critical Technologies Institute and led its first project on machine tools in support of president’s science advisor. From 1982-84, he was an analyst with the System Planning Corporation; prior to that, he was a student/consultant at NASA’s Ames Research Center, where he developed software.

He has authored and co-authored several books and articles on a wide variety of science and engineering topics, including armored vehicle concepts, human machine interfaces, simulation, haptic measurement, robotic systems, unattended ground sensors, and countermine technologies. He also co-authored “Shock and Awe,” a book that examined evolution of modern warfare.

Mr. Brendley founded Artis in 1999.  He is an avid cycling enthusiast and hiker, and holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, and an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland. In addition, he attended a graduate program in mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Brian Detter

Brian R. Detter, Executive Vice President

Mr. Detter serves as executive vice president, and currently handles marketing and public affairs. From August 2009-August 2012, he was deputy assistant secretary of the Navy, working on acquisition and R&D programs.

His portfolio, roughly $55 billion annually, included expeditionary systems for the Marine Corps and the Navy such as amphibious assault vehicles, ground combat and other vehicles, body armor, biometrics, counter IED and other systems; naval R&D programs; urgent needs; and naval logistics and sustainment. He also had DoD-wide lead for key joint programs during wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including MRAP and counter radio-controlled IED programs. He served as a member of the Navy’s Task Force Climate Change, set policy for the department’s Marine Mammals Program, and was responsible for the department’s annual S&T awards.

Before his work in the Pentagon, for 12 years he was president of Detter and Associates, LLC, a DC-area marketing firm. He worked on numerous Army and Air Force support programs. From 1994-96, he served as special assistant to the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia and as special assistant to the under secretary for Global Affairs at the State Department. He later served in the legislative affairs division of the U.S. Agency for International Development, working on Near East regional programs.

He has worked in senior positions in the U.S. Senate and in the House of Representatives. His legislative work included appropriations, defense, foreign policy and trade. He also served as a defense analyst for the non-partisan Congressional Research Service. Earlier in his career, he worked extensively with the news media, as a press secretary and as a journalist.

He is active in his local community. He serves on the board of trustees of the Code of Support Foundation, a military services support organization. Previously, he served on the board of visitors of the Virginia Military Institute; the board of advisors for TriCor Industries, an IT services company; and the Army Science Board. He has served on annual science award panels for the Army. He is active in his local community, and holds a B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Timothy Schimkus

Timothy Schimkus, Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Schimkus serves as chief financial officer and brings more than 30 years of experience as a certified public accountant. He has been with Artis since its inception, and his expertise includes tax planning and preparation, financial analysis, Federal Acquisition Regulation and government contracting, and financial reviews for mergers and acquisitions.

His activities include financial statement preparation, indirect rate strategy, cash flow management and outside contractors. He provides monthly and annual reports to the board of directors concerning the financial activities of the company. He also serves as the primary point of contact with the Defense Contract Audit Agency, the company’s bank and independent auditors.

In addition, he has worked in similar capacities with several small businesses over the years, including MTS Technologies, Noesis and Star Mountain.

Previously, from 1985-88 he worked as controller for Eagle Technology, Inc., and coordinated the firm’s accounting and computer activities. He reported to management the status of the company’s financial position through analyzing cash flow and P&L activity, implemented basic cash receipts procedures to help eliminate cash flow problems, analyzed computer needs through a feasibility study, and implemented changes as decided by management to DELTEK.™

From 1982-85, he was assistant controller for Allen Corporation of America, and had basic responsibility for supporting financial statements, cash flow analysis and indirect burden analysis. He worked extensively and became proficient with the use of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and assisted with DCAA reviews and with the outside independent auditors.

He has extensive mergers and acquisitions experience, and has been involved in more than 30 transactions during his career. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Maryland Association of CPAs and the Greater Washington Society of CPAs. He holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Liberty University and an M.B.A. in finance and management from Marymount University.

Jonathan Fairgrieve

Jon Fairgrieve, Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Fairgrieve serves as chief operating officer, and leads the company’s engineering and building operations. He joined the company in 2004 after a brief stint as a business and technology analyst where he worked to help commercialize dual-use DoD technologies.

His early work at the company focused on designing a test platform to validate a novel anti-motion sickness technology for shipboard use. He also worked on research and development efforts in the area of active protection.

In 2006, he began serving as lead mechanical designer and systems integrator for the Iron Curtain active protection system, helping to develop from concept design to a field-ready system utilizing sensor and countermunition tests and government-sponsored live-fire testing on different vehicle platforms, including the Stryker, HMMWV, M-ATV, and the Army Ground Combat Vehicle. He has expertise in the areas of vehicle integration, mil-spec testing, design for manufacturing, explosive device design, threat characteristics, and high-level analysis approaches. In addition to continued improvements to the Iron Curtain system, he currently focuses on other novel active survivability systems.

He graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2003 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a minor in economics.

Dave Cole

Dr. David Cole, Special Assistant and Vice President

Dr. Cole serves as special assistant and vice president for compliance (contracting, quality control, ITAR, ATF, DOT, OPSEC, and system safety engineering). He has a unique 43-year blend of military, consulting, scholastic and industrial experience, with more substantial experience focused on electronic fuzing and integrated ordnance.

Previously, he served 10 years in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps, with specialties in missiles, ammunition, and RDT&E. As a consultant, he has worked with U.S. Navy project and field engineers and program managers. Dr. Cole lectured as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland  and later at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequently he led in positions of increasing management responsibility at Hercules Aerospace (laser ordnance), then led in executive positions at KDI Precision Products, Martin Electronics, L-3 Communications Fuzing & Ordnance, ATK Fuzing & Warheads before his work at Artis.

Dr. Cole is a licensed professional engineer, and he has served as secretary of the NDIA Fuze Steering Committee; as fuze representative on the NDIA Industrial Committee of Ammunition Producers, NATO Industrial Advisory Group; and as founding member of the AIAA Energetic Components & Systems’ Technical Subcommittee.

He has lifetime memberships in the Army Ordnance Corps Association, Field Artillery Association, and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is also a member of the Association of the U.S. Army. He was twice decorated by the U.S. Army and honored by the National Defense Industrial Association’s Industrial Committee for meritorious service.

Michael Bohnet

Mike Bohnet, Chief Scientist

Dr. Bohnet serves as chief scientist and as technical lead for countermunition development and threat interaction. He is responsible for the design, testing and integration of all explosives-related components for the company, for data analysis pertaining to threat interaction, for safety protocols, and for maintaining the company’s live-fire database.

Prior to joining Artis in 2010, he worked for seven years as principal physicist at BAE Systems, where he led a DARPA project to develop an innovative active protection system that uses flyer plates launched and steered by timed explosive arrays to intercept incoming explosively formed penetrators. He also led a DARPA/IRAD project to develop a unique light-gas gun that achieves hypervelocity using hydrogen, and an ARDEC program to develop a system capable of tunneling into solid rock to deliver a warhead against deeply buried targets. He also co-invented an aerosol separation technology for use in hypervelocity guns and a unique non-electric delay fuze for projectiles that utilizes a novel sliding charge.

From 1997-2003, he was a research physicist at Advanced Power Technologies Inc. He served as lead scientist of a NAVAIR SBIR program to develop a non-explosive underwater acoustic source-based on aluminum/water combustion. He also led a DTRA program to develop inert and energetic projectiles for rock penetration and excavation applications. He also co-invented a non-explosive chemical acoustic source, which is safe out of water while stored yet active when immersed in water, ready to be ignited.

From 1991-97 he served as research assistant at the University of Washington, where he developed a diagnostic system to measure internal magnetic fields in hot laboratory plasmas resulting in first-of-its-kind direct measurement of rotating magnetic oscillations in a tokamak plasma. He developed a precision high-speed ellipsometer for measuring rapid polarization changes in light, as well as a two-stage light-gas gun for launching fragile glass projectiles into high-vacuum environments.

During his career he has been given several awards for his technical contributions and he holds several patents. He has a B.S. in aeronautics and astronautics from the University of Washington, 1990; an M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington, 1993 and a Ph.D. in Plasma Physics, University of Washington, 1997.

Darren Corey

Darren Corey, Lead Software Engineer

Mr. Corey serves as lead software engineer and is responsible for all software development, and manages Artis’ Salt Lake office. Within Artis, he has been the primary software engineer for the Compact Active Protection System (CAPS) and Smart Armor R&D programs. He has also designed software components and manages software development for the AWARE highway safety program.

From 2007-13, he worked as an embedded systems engineer at Artis, developing firmware and software systems for various R&D projects. His areas of expertise have included FPGAs, traditional microprocessors, and configurable soft-processor cores embedded in FPGA devices. He designed communication protocols, robust high-speed data transfer mechanisms, and message processing algorithms for the Iron Curtain active protection system. He also designed and implemented the architecture for safety-critical software in the Iron Curtain system, which was approved by the armed services safety review boards. He also designed high-speed analog-to-digital data collector systems, image processing algorithms, and high-speed fire-control algorithms for the EPIC program.

From 2003-07, he was advanced communications and DSP engineer for L-3 Communications, where he implemented Forward Error Correction designs in FPGAs. He designed modulator/demodulator circuit boards for airborne platforms, and modified firmware in a modem to interface with an experimental high-speed analog-to-digital convertor in order to perform direct RF sampling. He also created software to implement new data rates and communication waveforms in existing modem hardware, and assumed designer duties and led technical efforts to improve the debug process for a modulator/demodulator system in order to improve manufacturing throughput.

He co-holds a patent on waveguide mode suppression in cavities used for measurement of dielectric properties. He has a B.S. degree in computer engineering from the University of Utah and an M.E. degree in electrical engineering, also from the University of Utah.

Andrew Taylor

Andrew Taylor, Lead Mechanical Engineer

Mr. Taylor serves as the lead mechanical engineer and is responsible for managing the mechanical designs, development, analysis, testing and production of hardware for all efforts at Artis. His areas of expertise include accelerated hardware development, rapid production of prototype hardware, process development, system vehicle integration, explosive device design and testing, and logistics.

From 2008 until 2019 he worked as a mechanical engineer, helping to develop many major system components for the Iron Curtain APS and the AWARE highway safety system, along with overseeing prototype production runs for both systems. As part of the AWARE development effort he designed a novel modular mounting system and led the nationwide pilot installation program at various customer sites across the country. He also supported the development of custom PCB simulation tools used to analyze and improve the designs of electrical components for use in harsh military and industrial applications.

He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2008 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a minor in psychology. While at Virginia Tech he was a member of team Victor Tango which came in 3rd place in the DARPA Urban Challenge; he also helped develop a fixed wing UAV which used an acoustic array to localize acoustic sources, such as weapons fire.

Brian Barbarits

Brian Barbarits, Lead Electrical Engineer

Mr. Barbarits is responsible for the company’s electrical engineering systems, with focus on new sensor systems. Before joining Artis in November 2019, he worked at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, as part of a team that advanced state-of-the-art extracellular electrophysiology.

The work performed by his team was published in the scientific journal Nature Briefs, and led to a commercial spin-out of a new company called Neuropixels.

At Artis, Mr. Barbarits supervises the company’s electrical engineering team, which focuses on optical, radar, lidar and other sensors. He has also served as technology lead for the company’s automotive safety work, and has been team lead for the its micro time-of-flight sensor.

He holds a BS degree in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University, and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering.

Lynn Barth

Lynn Barth, Director of Human Resources

Ms. Barth serves as director of Human Resources. Previously she served as vice president, handling human resources, business operations, security, IT and purchasing.

Additionally, she was responsible for facility management of all Artis locations, including site selection, negotiation, leasing, construction and maintenance. Her day-to-day corporate responsibilities also encompassed vendor management and events.

She has received training in human resource management from George Mason University and the Society for Human Resource Management. She has also received facility security officer training at the Defense Security Service Academy.

Previously, she held positions with firms serving the information technology industry and IT users. Ms. Barth holds a degree in commercial design.

Keith Brendley

Keith Brendley, President and CEO

Mr. Brendley founded Artis in 1999, and serves as its president and as chair of the company’s board of directors. He is a leading authority on active protection systems designed to defeat a wide range of threats to warfighters, and has particular expertise in high-speed computer processing and safety systems.

Previously, he worked at Noesis, Inc., an R&D firm later acquired by QinetiQ North America. There, he established and led the Advanced Real Time Information Systems (ARTIS) division, and was responsible for marketing, personnel and technical performance. Previously, he was vice president at the Defense Group Inc., where he was responsible for technology-related activities including product development, information management and IT personnel.

From 1994-96, he was program manager at Sarcos Research Corp., where he led projects primarily related to advanced human-machine interfaces, such as the Soldier Mobility Station, designed for realistic physical connection to a virtual environment, and the Human Exoskeletal System, designed to function as a “superman suit.”

From 1985-94, he was senior analyst for the RAND Corporation, where he led interdisciplinary teams of professionals engaged in some of the firm’s largest and most visible projects. Much of the research used high-fidelity simulation to examine the utility of future technologies, primarily for land warfare, including rapid force projection that eventually led to creation of the Rapid Force Projection Initiative (RFPI) adopted by U.S. Army. He helped establish the RAND Critical Technologies Institute and led its first project on machine tools in support of president’s science advisor. From 1982-84, he was an analyst with the System Planning Corporation; prior to that, he was a student/consultant at NASA’s Ames Research Center, where he developed software.

He has authored and co-authored several books and articles on a wide variety of science and engineering topics, including armored vehicle concepts, human machine interfaces, simulation, haptic measurement, robotic systems, unattended ground sensors, and countermine technologies. He also co-authored “Shock and Awe,” a book that examined evolution of modern warfare.

Mr. Brendley founded Artis in 1999.  He is an avid cycling enthusiast and hiker, and holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, and an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland. In addition, he attended a graduate program in mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Brian Detter

Brian R. Detter, Executive Vice President

Mr. Detter serves as executive vice president, and currently handles marketing and public affairs. From August 2009-August 2012, he was deputy assistant secretary of the Navy, working on acquisition and R&D programs.

His portfolio, roughly $55 billion annually, included expeditionary systems for the Marine Corps and the Navy such as amphibious assault vehicles, ground combat and other vehicles, body armor, biometrics, counter IED and other systems; naval R&D programs; urgent needs; and naval logistics and sustainment. He also had DoD-wide lead for key joint programs during wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including MRAP and counter radio-controlled IED programs. He served as a member of the Navy’s Task Force Climate Change, set policy for the department’s Marine Mammals Program, and was responsible for the department’s annual S&T awards.

Before his work in the Pentagon, for 12 years he was president of Detter and Associates, LLC, a DC-area marketing firm. He worked on numerous Army and Air Force support programs. From 1994-96, he served as special assistant to the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia and as special assistant to the under secretary for Global Affairs at the State Department. He later served in the legislative affairs division of the U.S. Agency for International Development, working on Near East regional programs.

He has worked in senior positions in the U.S. Senate and in the House of Representatives. His legislative work included appropriations, defense, foreign policy and trade. He also served as a defense analyst for the non-partisan Congressional Research Service. Earlier in his career, he worked extensively with the news media, as a press secretary and as a journalist.

He is active in his local community. He serves on the board of trustees of the Code of Support Foundation, a military services support organization. Previously, he served on the board of visitors of the Virginia Military Institute; the board of advisors for TriCor Industries, an IT services company; and the Army Science Board. He has served on annual science award panels for the Army. He is active in his local community, and holds a B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Timothy Schimkus

Timothy Schimkus, Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Schimkus serves as chief financial officer and brings more than 30 years of experience as a certified public accountant. He has been with Artis since its inception, and his expertise includes tax planning and preparation, financial analysis, Federal Acquisition Regulation and government contracting, and financial reviews for mergers and acquisitions.

His activities include financial statement preparation, indirect rate strategy, cash flow management and outside contractors. He provides monthly and annual reports to the board of directors concerning the financial activities of the company. He also serves as the primary point of contact with the Defense Contract Audit Agency, the company’s bank and independent auditors.

In addition, he has worked in similar capacities with several small businesses over the years, including MTS Technologies, Noesis and Star Mountain.

Previously, from 1985-88 he worked as controller for Eagle Technology, Inc., and coordinated the firm’s accounting and computer activities. He reported to management the status of the company’s financial position through analyzing cash flow and P&L activity, implemented basic cash receipts procedures to help eliminate cash flow problems, analyzed computer needs through a feasibility study, and implemented changes as decided by management to DELTEK.™

From 1982-85, he was assistant controller for Allen Corporation of America, and had basic responsibility for supporting financial statements, cash flow analysis and indirect burden analysis. He worked extensively and became proficient with the use of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and assisted with DCAA reviews and with the outside independent auditors.

He has extensive mergers and acquisitions experience, and has been involved in more than 30 transactions during his career. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Maryland Association of CPAs and the Greater Washington Society of CPAs. He holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Liberty University and an M.B.A. in finance and management from Marymount University.

Jonathan Fairgrieve

Jon Fairgrieve, Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Fairgrieve serves as chief operating officer, and leads the company’s engineering and building operations. He joined the company in 2004 after a brief stint as a business and technology analyst where he worked to help commercialize dual-use DoD technologies.

His early work at the company focused on designing a test platform to validate a novel anti-motion sickness technology for shipboard use. He also worked on research and development efforts in the area of active protection.

In 2006, he began serving as lead mechanical designer and systems integrator for the Iron Curtain active protection system, helping to develop from concept design to a field-ready system utilizing sensor and countermunition tests and government-sponsored live-fire testing on different vehicle platforms, including the Stryker, HMMWV, M-ATV, and the Army Ground Combat Vehicle. He has expertise in the areas of vehicle integration, mil-spec testing, design for manufacturing, explosive device design, threat characteristics, and high-level analysis approaches. In addition to continued improvements to the Iron Curtain system, he currently focuses on other novel active survivability systems.

He graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2003 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a minor in economics.

Dave Cole

Dr. David Cole, Special Assistant and Vice President

Dr. Cole serves as special assistant and vice president for compliance (contracting, quality control, ITAR, ATF, DOT, OPSEC, and system safety engineering). He has a unique 43-year blend of military, consulting, scholastic and industrial experience, with more substantial experience focused on electronic fuzing and integrated ordnance.

Previously, he served 10 years in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps, with specialties in missiles, ammunition, and RDT&E. As a consultant, he has worked with U.S. Navy project and field engineers and program managers. Dr. Cole lectured as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland  and later at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequently he led in positions of increasing management responsibility at Hercules Aerospace (laser ordnance), then led in executive positions at KDI Precision Products, Martin Electronics, L-3 Communications Fuzing & Ordnance, ATK Fuzing & Warheads before his work at Artis.

Dr. Cole is a licensed professional engineer, and he has served as secretary of the NDIA Fuze Steering Committee; as fuze representative on the NDIA Industrial Committee of Ammunition Producers, NATO Industrial Advisory Group; and as founding member of the AIAA Energetic Components & Systems’ Technical Subcommittee.

He has lifetime memberships in the Army Ordnance Corps Association, Field Artillery Association, and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is also a member of the Association of the U.S. Army. He was twice decorated by the U.S. Army and honored by the National Defense Industrial Association’s Industrial Committee for meritorious service.

Michael Bohnet

Mike Bohnet, Chief Scientist

Dr. Bohnet serves as chief scientist and as technical lead for countermunition development and threat interaction. He is responsible for the design, testing and integration of all explosives-related components for the company, for data analysis pertaining to threat interaction, for safety protocols, and for maintaining the company’s live-fire database.

Prior to joining Artis in 2010, he worked for seven years as principal physicist at BAE Systems, where he led a DARPA project to develop an innovative active protection system that uses flyer plates launched and steered by timed explosive arrays to intercept incoming explosively formed penetrators. He also led a DARPA/IRAD project to develop a unique light-gas gun that achieves hypervelocity using hydrogen, and an ARDEC program to develop a system capable of tunneling into solid rock to deliver a warhead against deeply buried targets. He also co-invented an aerosol separation technology for use in hypervelocity guns and a unique non-electric delay fuze for projectiles that utilizes a novel sliding charge.

From 1997-2003, he was a research physicist at Advanced Power Technologies Inc. He served as lead scientist of a NAVAIR SBIR program to develop a non-explosive underwater acoustic source-based on aluminum/water combustion. He also led a DTRA program to develop inert and energetic projectiles for rock penetration and excavation applications. He also co-invented a non-explosive chemical acoustic source, which is safe out of water while stored yet active when immersed in water, ready to be ignited.

From 1991-97 he served as research assistant at the University of Washington, where he developed a diagnostic system to measure internal magnetic fields in hot laboratory plasmas resulting in first-of-its-kind direct measurement of rotating magnetic oscillations in a tokamak plasma. He developed a precision high-speed ellipsometer for measuring rapid polarization changes in light, as well as a two-stage light-gas gun for launching fragile glass projectiles into high-vacuum environments.

During his career he has been given several awards for his technical contributions and he holds several patents. He has a B.S. in aeronautics and astronautics from the University of Washington, 1990; an M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington, 1993 and a Ph.D. in Plasma Physics, University of Washington, 1997.

Darren Corey

Darren Corey, Lead Software Engineer

Mr. Corey serves as lead software engineer and is responsible for all software development, and manages Artis’ Salt Lake office. Within Artis, he has been the primary software engineer for the Compact Active Protection System (CAPS) and Smart Armor R&D programs. He has also designed software components and manages software development for the AWARE highway safety program.

From 2007-13, he worked as an embedded systems engineer at Artis, developing firmware and software systems for various R&D projects. His areas of expertise have included FPGAs, traditional microprocessors, and configurable soft-processor cores embedded in FPGA devices. He designed communication protocols, robust high-speed data transfer mechanisms, and message processing algorithms for the Iron Curtain active protection system. He also designed and implemented the architecture for safety-critical software in the Iron Curtain system, which was approved by the armed services safety review boards. He also designed high-speed analog-to-digital data collector systems, image processing algorithms, and high-speed fire-control algorithms for the EPIC program.

From 2003-07, he was advanced communications and DSP engineer for L-3 Communications, where he implemented Forward Error Correction designs in FPGAs. He designed modulator/demodulator circuit boards for airborne platforms, and modified firmware in a modem to interface with an experimental high-speed analog-to-digital convertor in order to perform direct RF sampling. He also created software to implement new data rates and communication waveforms in existing modem hardware, and assumed designer duties and led technical efforts to improve the debug process for a modulator/demodulator system in order to improve manufacturing throughput.

He co-holds a patent on waveguide mode suppression in cavities used for measurement of dielectric properties. He has a B.S. degree in computer engineering from the University of Utah and an M.E. degree in electrical engineering, also from the University of Utah.

Andrew Taylor

Andrew Taylor, Lead Mechanical Engineer

Mr. Taylor serves as the lead mechanical engineer and is responsible for managing the mechanical designs, development, analysis, testing and production of hardware for all efforts at Artis. His areas of expertise include accelerated hardware development, rapid production of prototype hardware, process development, system vehicle integration, explosive device design and testing, and logistics.

From 2008 until 2019 he worked as a mechanical engineer, helping to develop many major system components for the Iron Curtain APS and the AWARE highway safety system, along with overseeing prototype production runs for both systems. As part of the AWARE development effort he designed a novel modular mounting system and led the nationwide pilot installation program at various customer sites across the country. He also supported the development of custom PCB simulation tools used to analyze and improve the designs of electrical components for use in harsh military and industrial applications.

He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2008 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a minor in psychology. While at Virginia Tech he was a member of team Victor Tango which came in 3rd place in the DARPA Urban Challenge; he also helped develop a fixed wing UAV which used an acoustic array to localize acoustic sources, such as weapons fire.

Brian Barbarits

Brian Barbarits, Lead Electrical Engineer

Mr. Barbarits is responsible for the company’s electrical engineering systems, with focus on new sensor systems. Before joining Artis in November 2019, he worked at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, as part of a team that advanced state-of-the-art extracellular electrophysiology.

The work performed by his team was published in the scientific journal Nature Briefs, and led to a commercial spin-out of a new company called Neuropixels.

At Artis, Mr. Barbarits supervises the company’s electrical engineering team, which focuses on optical, radar, lidar and other sensors. He has also served as technology lead for the company’s automotive safety work, and has been team lead for the its micro time-of-flight sensor.

He holds a BS degree in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University, and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering.

Lynn Barth

Lynn Barth, Director of Human Resources

Ms. Barth serves as director of Human Resources. Previously she served as vice president, handling human resources, business operations, security, IT and purchasing.

Additionally, she was responsible for facility management of all Artis locations, including site selection, negotiation, leasing, construction and maintenance. Her day-to-day corporate responsibilities also encompassed vendor management and events.

She has received training in human resource management from George Mason University and the Society for Human Resource Management. She has also received facility security officer training at the Defense Security Service Academy.

Previously, she held positions with firms serving the information technology industry and IT users. Ms. Barth holds a degree in commercial design.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Keith Brendley

Keith Brendley, President, Founder and Managing Partner

Mr. Brendley is co-founder and president of Artis. He is expert in the areas of active protection systems and military systems analysis. During his career, he has successfully managed numerous projects and programs, including development of Iron Curtain, an active protection system designed to protect against attacks from shoulder-launched missiles such as rocket-propelled grenades.

Among his many publications, he is a co-author of the book on future military strategy, Shock and Awe: Achieving Rapid Dominance. He holds patents on several inventions, to include those in the area of active protection systems. His past positions include senior assignments at Noesis, Inc., the Defense Group Inc.; and Sarcos Research Corp. He was also senior research scientist with the RAND Corporation, where he led interdisciplinary teams of professionals engaged in some of the firm’s largest and most visible projects at the time. Mr. Brendley holds a B.S. degree from the University of Illinois and an M.S. degree from the University of Maryland, and attended graduate studies at MIT.

George Flynn in uniform

Lieutenant General George Flynn, USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Flynn is a sought-after speaker on leadership issues and serves on the board of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, a defense think tank based in Arlington, VA. Previously, he held numerous command assignments during his distinguished 38-year career in the Marine Corps, including establishing the Joint Force Development Directorate at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, managing more than 2,000 people and a $1 billion organization that developed operational doctrine and training.

As deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration, he determined future requirements for the Corps. As deputy commanding general, Multi-National Corps, Iraq, he led combat operations and supervised more than 50,000 service members and civilians. He also served as head of the Marine Corps Training and Education Command. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relation; senior associate of Center for Strategic and International Studies; and a member of the Naval Studies Board of the National Academies. He has several master’s degrees in national security and international relations.

Hy Hetherington

Hy Hetherington

Mr. Hetherington is CEO and managing partner of HLP Integration, a litigation support consulting and services company he created in 2007. Previously, he served in multiple executive positions within SuperiorGlacier, a regional litigation support company with offices in New York and Washington.

As executive vice president, he led the transformation from a paper-based market to a technology-driven practice. He then led SuperiorGlacier as its CEO, in addition to his fulltime management of HLP Integration. His clients have included Deutsche Bank, Enron, Fannie Mae, Qualcomm, Petrolera, Worldcom, Orbital and many others. He frequently speaks to international audiences on legal technology topics. Prior to entering the litigation support arena, he worked in education and hotel management. He is an Endowed Presidential Scholar from the University of Texas; he was valedictorian of his graduating class, and graduated with highest honors and distinction. He and his wife have established the Hy and Amy Hetherington Endowed Presidential Scholarship at the University of Texas.

General Walter in uniform

General Walter “Skip” Sharp, USA (Ret.)

General Sharp is a strategic advisor to several U.S. and overseas companies. He serves of the board of directors for NEXEO Solutions and the Korea Society, and advises several DC-area think tanks. Previously, he held numerous command assignments during his distinguished 37-year career in the U.S. Army.

From 2008-11, he was commander of U.N. Command, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces in Korea. He previously served in four assignments with the Joint Staff, including director of the Joint Staff; director of J5 (Strategic Plans and Policy); vice director, J8 (Force Structure, Resources and Assessment); and deputy director, J5. He commanded troops in Desert Shield and Desert Storm; Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti; and SFOR’s Multinational Division (North) in Bosnia. Born in Morgantown, WV, he graduated from West Point in 1974. He holds an M.S. degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and is a graduate of the Armor Basic Course, the Field Artillery Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

Keith Brendley

Keith Brendley, President, Founder and Managing Partner

Mr. Brendley is co-founder and president of Artis. He is expert in the areas of active protection systems and military systems analysis. During his career, he has successfully managed numerous projects and programs, including development of Iron Curtain, an active protection system designed to protect against attacks from shoulder-launched missiles such as rocket-propelled grenades.

Among his many publications, he is a co-author of the book on future military strategy, Shock and Awe: Achieving Rapid Dominance. He holds patents on several inventions, to include those in the area of active protection systems. His past positions include senior assignments at Noesis, Inc., the Defense Group Inc.; and Sarcos Research Corp. He was also senior research scientist with the RAND Corporation, where he led interdisciplinary teams of professionals engaged in some of the firm’s largest and most visible projects at the time. Mr. Brendley holds a B.S. degree from the University of Illinois and an M.S. degree from the University of Maryland, and attended graduate studies at MIT.

George Flynn in uniform

Lieutenant General George Flynn, USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Flynn is a sought-after speaker on leadership issues and serves on the board of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, a defense think tank based in Arlington, VA. Previously, he held numerous command assignments during his distinguished 38-year career in the Marine Corps, including establishing the Joint Force Development Directorate at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, managing more than 2,000 people and a $1 billion organization that developed operational doctrine and training.

As deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration, he determined future requirements for the Corps. As deputy commanding general, Multi-National Corps, Iraq, he led combat operations and supervised more than 50,000 service members and civilians. He also served as head of the Marine Corps Training and Education Command. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relation; senior associate of Center for Strategic and International Studies; and a member of the Naval Studies Board of the National Academies. He has several master’s degrees in national security and international relations.

Hy Hetherington

Hy Hetherington

Mr. Hetherington is CEO and managing partner of HLP Integration, a litigation support consulting and services company he created in 2007. Previously, he served in multiple executive positions within SuperiorGlacier, a regional litigation support company with offices in New York and Washington.

As executive vice president, he led the transformation from a paper-based market to a technology-driven practice. He then led SuperiorGlacier as its CEO, in addition to his fulltime management of HLP Integration. His clients have included Deutsche Bank, Enron, Fannie Mae, Qualcomm, Petrolera, Worldcom, Orbital and many others. He frequently speaks to international audiences on legal technology topics. Prior to entering the litigation support arena, he worked in education and hotel management. He is an Endowed Presidential Scholar from the University of Texas; he was valedictorian of his graduating class, and graduated with highest honors and distinction. He and his wife have established the Hy and Amy Hetherington Endowed Presidential Scholarship at the University of Texas.

General Walter in uniform

General Walter “Skip” Sharp, USA (Ret.)

General Sharp is a strategic advisor to several U.S. and overseas companies. He serves of the board of directors for NEXEO Solutions and the Korea Society, and advises several DC-area think tanks. Previously, he held numerous command assignments during his distinguished 37-year career in the U.S. Army.

From 2008-11, he was commander of U.N. Command, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces in Korea. He previously served in four assignments with the Joint Staff, including director of the Joint Staff; director of J5 (Strategic Plans and Policy); vice director, J8 (Force Structure, Resources and Assessment); and deputy director, J5. He commanded troops in Desert Shield and Desert Storm; Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti; and SFOR’s Multinational Division (North) in Bosnia. Born in Morgantown, WV, he graduated from West Point in 1974. He holds an M.S. degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and is a graduate of the Armor Basic Course, the Field Artillery Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.