Anousheh Ansari

Anousheh Ansari is Executive Chairwoman, Co-founder & Space Ambassador of Prodea Systems. As she launched her company on September 18, 2006, she also blasted off for an eight-day expedition aboard the International Space Station and captured headlines around the world as the first female private space explorer. She also earned a place in history as the first astronaut of Iranian descent, the first Muslim woman, and the fourth private explorer to visit space. This was the accomplishment of a lifelong dream for her.

As a successful serial entrepreneur and active proponent of world-changing technologies and social entrepreneurship, she along with her family provided the title sponsorship for the Ansari X Prize, a $10 million cash award for the first non-governmental organization to launch a reusable manned spacecraft into space twice within two weeks. This feat was accomplished in 2004 by legendary aerospace designer Burt Rutan in 2004. With the success of the X Prize competition, the Ansari family helped launch a new era in private space exploration.

Prior to her space ventures, Anousheh served as Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Chairwoman for telecom technologies, inc. After earning three key U.S. patents and growing 100% sequentially year-over-year since inception, her company successfully merged with Sonus Networks and she served as General Manager and Vice President of the Softswitch division.

Anousheh is CEO of the X Prize Foundation as well as on its Board of Trustees. She is a life member in the Association of Space Explorers and on the advisory board of the Teacher’s in Space project. She has received multiple honors, including the World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, DFW International Community Alliance Hall of Fame Award, the Working Woman’s National Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, George Mason University’s Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, George Washington University’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Southwest Region. While under her leadership, telecom technologies earned recognition as one of Inc. magazine’s 500 fastest-growing companies and Deloitte & Touche’s Fast 500 technology companies.

Anousheh has served on the boards of not-for-profit organizations such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation of North Texas and the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center. She currently works to enable social entrepreneurs to bring about radical change globally, with organizations such as ASHOKA, which supports social entrepreneurship around the world, including the Middle East and Central Asia. She runs an annual competition called the “What If?” competition for middle school students to promote free thinking and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.

Anousheh earned a bachelor’s degree in electronics and computer engineering from George Mason University, followed by a master’s degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University. She is currently working toward a master’s degree in astronomy from Swinburne University.

Hamid Ansari

Hamid Ansari is Prodea’s CEO, President, and Co-Founder and brings more than 25 years of entrepreneurial experience building and deploying technology products and services worldwide. His expertise in strategic positioning and mergers & acquisitions has resulted in several successful business transactions with values ranging from tens of millions to more than a billion dollars.

Prior to co-founding Prodea Systems, Hamid co-founded telecom technologies, inc., where he managed a professional services organization and oversaw the creation and worldwide deployment of four carrier-class products. Hamid served as the company’s President until its successful merger with Sonus Networks (Nasdaq: SONS) in 2001.

Hamid launched his career at MCI, where he was part of a small group of pioneers in the world of telecommunications divestitures. As part of the advanced engineering group, his contributions led to the development and implementation of new products and services — creating one of the most technically advanced telecommunications networks in the world. Later, Hamid headed the advanced data communications network division of an international consulting company in support of World Bank projects in Africa and the Middle East.

Hamid has completed advanced credits towards a doctorate of communications. He earned a master’s degree in computer science and telecommunications from George Washington University.

Amir Ansari

Amir Ansari is is an inventor and serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience designing and building technologies in the areas of telecommunications, multimedia, health, and privacy. Amir’s years of extensive research and development into the Internet of Things has made him a subject matter expert and has earned him over 25 key patents in the field. He has been shaping the industry through his collaboration with regulatory entities in the areas of health management and consumer privacy and continues to push the envelope with his robust and massively scalable product designs.

Prior to co-founding Prodea Systems, Amir served in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer of Sonus Networks, Inc. He was responsible for providing technical guidance and direction in deploying one of the industry’s first multi-service Softswitches in carrier networks.

Amir joined Sonus Networks via its acquisition of telecom technologies, inc., where he was a Co-Founder and the Chief Technology Officer. Amir led efforts for architecting, designing and deploying the company’s Softswitch, the most robust and scalable product of its type. telecom technologies’ client list consisted of Fortune 500 companies such as WorldCom, Quest Communications, Hewlett-Packard, Sprint, and AT&T.

Amir is actively involved with several non-profit organizations that strive for social development. He serves on the Board of Directors of the X PRIZE Foundation and is a member of the X PRIZE Foundation’s Vision Circle and serves on its Board of Trustees. Together with his family, he was a title sponsor for the Ansari X PRIZE, a $10 million cash award for the first non-governmental organization to launch a reusable manned spacecraft into space twice within two weeks.

Amir earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and computer science from George Mason University.

Andrew Tauhert

Andrew Tauhert brings 20+ years of experience in business development, product marketing, sales support and product development to Prodea Systems.

Prior to joining the company, Andrew held senior-level positions at Nortel in business and engineering across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. He began his career as a member of the scientific staff and shortly thereafter took on the responsibilities of a development architect, earning multiple promotions to positions of increasing responsibility.

Identified as a top talent at Nortel, Andrew developed in-depth knowledge across a wide variety of networks, technologies, and market segments. He partnered with major players in the industry to develop market-leading solutions and as such was a key contributor to their success.

Andrew earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

Tyson King

As VP Sales, Tyson is responsible for all aspects of Prodea System’s worldwide sales organization. He has previously served in various leadership roles within sales and business development organizations at Alarm.com’s subsidiary Building 36, Numerex, Novatel Wireless, and Texas Instruments. He brings a collaborative approach to customer engagements. Throughout his career he has coupled the most effective technical solutions to the appropriate business models. This approach has forged long-term partnerships that drive successful and sustainable business. Tyson earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering at Michigan State University with additional studies at the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Peter Radsliff

As VP Marketing, Peter is responsible for all aspects of Prodea System’s worldwide marketing strategy. He previously held executive leadership, marketing, and product management positions at a number of companies at the vanguard of connected consumer products, including: Arrayent, Candi Controls, Presto Services, Mirra, and Sage Systems. He has also held leadership positions at major brands such as Seagate Technology,  Monster Products and Drobo. In all, Peter has served as CEO or VP at seven venture-backed startups, two mid-sized companies, and one Fortune 100 public corporation. He holds four patents and has taught undergraduate and graduate design courses at San Francisco State University’s Dept. of Design & Industry where he received his B.A. and completed his graduate coursework.