Friday, April 11, 2008

RemoteReality taps former admiral McGinn as CEO

RemoteReality Corp. has appointed retired U.S. Navy vice admiral Dennis McGinn its new CEO and plans to launch trials of its camera tech on Navy subs.

McGinn, an Attleboro native, said his appointment reflects the Westborough surveillance company's renewed focus on the defense industry.

"We have technology that can fill a tremendous need for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.

The 15-employee company's 360-degree camera technology is being tested on Navy submarine periscopes. McGinn said he expected the test to be started June.

Remote Reality's former CEO, James Ionson, was hired in December 2006 and had led a strategy to move its technology into commercial markets such as casinos and shopping malls, hotels, banks and restaurants.

The company is also working with New Jersey defense contractor DRS Technologies Inc. on border security technology, McGinn said. RemoteReality is providing DRS with sensors to be placed on border towers that would give a picture of what was happening in the direct vicinity of the tower.

McGinn had most recently served as vice president of strategic planning and national security business development for Battelle Memorial Institute. Before Battelle, McGinn spent 35 years with the Navy as an aviator, test pilot, aircraft carrier commanding officer and national security strategist. His last assignment with the Navy was as deputy chief of naval operations for warfare requirements and programs at the Pentagon.