Our team is a mix of robot and automation experts, tinkerers, and problem solvers, who have been addressing problems in logistics and the supply chain for years.
IAM Robotics’ team of world-class engineers are focused on delivering innovation and operational value that is transforming the material handling industry.
Lance VandenBrook is the Chief Executive Officer of IAM Robotics, spearheading the product teams for our flagship products, and providing overall strategic direction for the company. Lance understands the meaning of the word, “team,” and is a results-oriented leader who works collaboratively to execute strategies that help both IAM Robotics and its customers increase their bottom lines. Prior to formally joining IAM Robotics, Lance was an advisor to the company, relying on his years of experience in robotics and logistics to guide corporate direction. He’s also previously held key positions with Kiva Systems, Aria Insights, Takkion Holdings, and more. As a worldwide sales leader, Lance was instrumental in scaling Kiva Systems, leading to its acquisition by Amazon. Lance holds a Bachelor’s in Marketing from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Tom is the Founder and CTO of IAM Robotics. He has over 15 years of experience in autonomous robotics. Previously, Tom worked with Carnegie Mellon University, Harris Corporation, the Air Force Research Laboratory, Boeing and other organizations. During his career, Tom developed autonomous systems for air, land and sea. He built robots to compete in major competitions including the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition and the DARPA Grand Challenge. Several of Tom’s robots have won in the areas of navigation, autonomy and design. Tom also co-founded OpenJAUS, a technology company that develops software for the Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS). OpenJAUS is the market leader in providing JAUS solutions to the defense industry. Tom holds a PhD in Robotics from the University of Florida and a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, with minors in Computer Science and Mathematics.
Vladimir is Co-Founder and Vice President of Engineering for IAM Robotics, where he focuses on robotic hardware design and implementation. Previously, Vladimir served as a Robotics Engineer for Carnegie Mellon University’s National Robotics Engineering Center where he led electrical and mechanical design of robotics systems for customers like John Deere, Samsung, BAE Systems and the US Army. He has designed and implemented a man-portable unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection system, which is being used in Cambodia to clear minefields that threaten innocent lives. He also designed and built a laser scanner mapping unit used on an autonomous robot for paint stripping of large military aircraft. Additionally in the past, Vladimir worked for Laurel Networks, later ECI Telecom, where he helped develop networking equipment. Vladimir holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Point Park University in Pittsburgh.
John is the Chief Robotics Engineer at IAM Robotics. His work at IAM Robotics is a continuation of over 18 years of experience working on a variety of autonomous robotic platforms and mechatronic systems. Previously, John worked at Harris Corporation, where he developed novel technologies for satellite systems, ground robotics, and underwater robotics. His primary areas of research were: autonomous manipulation and grasping, 3D object identification in degraded unstructured environments, distributed system design, and augmented reality interface systems. John received his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Computer Science from Stony Brook University, where he worked on a number of student design competitions and was a robotics lead on the DARPA MICE program. Following this, John obtained a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State, where he studied steer-by-wire controller design for vehicle rollover prevention.
Prior to joining IAM Robotics, Wes developed his experience through various product line management, marketing, and engineering roles at organizations in the semiconductor device and capital equipment industries, whose clients included General Electric, Raytheon, Lockheed-Martin, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, Lam Research, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, Phillips, Cisco and Apple. Wes is passionate about robotics excellence and has written for publications like EETimes, Portable by Design, Electronic Design News and the Hewlett-Packard Journal. Wes holds a Bachelor’s in Engineering and an MBA, both from Arizona State University.
Rich Flati is the SVP of Commercialization at IAM Robotics, overseeing the sales and application engineering teams. Alongside our team of experts, Rich performs opportunity assessments for clients, providing solution designs and delivering innovative decision support. He knows how tedious manual processes can be, that’s why Rich focuses on warehouse solutions that marry the old and the new, where man complements machine. Prior to joining IAM Robotics, Rich was the SVP Customer Success at Jabmo, an account-based marketing company; as well as the VP of Sales, Pre-sales and Customer Success at Zilliant, a data-driven pricing solution for B2B manufacturers and distributors. A consummate collaborator, Rich works with the team to drive continued customer success and grow the business. Rich holds a Bachelor's and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. .
George Sarosi is the Vice President of Enterprise Software at IAM Robotics, using his skills as a technically-oriented software architect to positively impact the business. George takes complex business problems and determines forward-thinking and cost-effective solutions that are both innovative and realistic. Prior to joining IAM Robotics, George spent most of his career in media, working in software architecture for companies like Time Warner Cable and Comcast. George has a strong business and technical acumen and is a leader with a problem-solving mindset. He peels back the layers of unique problems, inspiring his team to develop effective software solutions to highly-specific business needs. George holds a Bachelor’s in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a Master’s in Computer Science from DePaul University, and holds over 30 patents in the area of software systems and design.
Kristin Fornal is the Senior Director of Marketing at IAM Robotics, leading the way in developing and executing branding and product marketing strategies for the company and its suite of robotics solutions. She has a track record of helping companies define their value propositions to align with customer needs, implementing integrated marketing communications plans that yield results. Prior to joining IAM Robotics, Kristin lived professionally at the intersection of the tech and advertising industries. She held positions with PRIVIT as the VP of Marketing, as well as with Brand pH as its President. Kristin currently oversees and executes content writing initiatives, social media and overall brand management. She prides herself on her abilities to develop trusting relationships with customers and provide thought leadership. Kristin holds a Bachelor’s in Communications from Wright State University, as well as a Master’s in Marketing from Franklin University.
IAM Robotics is disrupting the industry with the first affordable and available robot that is interchangeable with current staff and will increase pick and put-away accuracy, facility safety and picking speed to radically increase our customer’s competitiveness in a velocity driven world. We are changing the traditional supply chain one warehouse, one store at a time – and you could be part of it! Join our innovative team that is being noticed: Robotics Business Review (RBR) named IAM Robotics a Global Top 50 Robotics Company for the 3rd year in a row! We are looking for experienced individuals that can support a team of engineers and designers making world-class products.
Compensation and benefits are competitive. Our company has a fun, family-first culture. Candidates should be passionate, entrepreneurial and enjoy being part of an energetic team. You must be ready to focus on tackling hard problems and be determined to achieve breakthrough results. We don’t bother with one-time throw-away projects. Be prepared to build upon everything you learn and do.
If this is the culture you have been looking for check out what else IAM Robotics has to offer.
