Acelera

Acelera, Inc. is a woman-owned start-up company, newly founded as a spin-off of Microwave Technologies Incorporated (MTI). For the past 12 years MTI has focused on development of microwave sources and electron accelerators and has received numerous SBIR Phase I and Phase II awards. More recently, MTI has focused its efforts towards defense applications, particularly with commercial partners in Peru. MTI’s work in Peru has revealed many opportunities for other important urgently needed environmental technologies which specifically involve the use of accelerators. Having patented a successful accelerator technology under a previous SBIR contract, MTI's owners decided that it would be appropriate to spin-off a company which would focus on accelerator technologies. This will allow MTI to continue to concentrate on defense technologies, while Acelera will focus primarily on environmental technologies. Thus, Acelera, Inc. was formed with the purpose of providing accelerator-based technologies which will improve the quality of life in the U.S. and abroad.

Key Personnel

Dr. Jose E. Velazco, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Acelera, obtained his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from George Mason University in 1994. His primary areas of expertise are in microwave tube engineering, millimeter wave sources and compact electron accelerators. Dr. Velazco has produced numerous innovative designs for microwave tubes, electron accelerators and radar systems. He is the inventor of the Rotating Wave Accelerator (RWA) which is the lynchpin of our accelerator technologies, and holds the patent to that technology. He constantly updates his knowledge though attendance at conferences and seminars, as well as continuing coursework in related subjects. Currently he is pursuing a certificate in radar engineering through the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the American Physical Society, Sigma Xi, SPIE, and the Association of Old Crows.

Dr. Willi Schwarz, Chief Technical Officer, received his Ph.D. degree in Physics from the University of Heidelberg in 1991. As a postdoctoral scientist he performed accelerator-based research in precision atomic and nuclear spectroscopy with Yale University for several years. Dr. Schwarz subsequently joined the private R&D sector, where he gained extensive experience in applied research and technology development. He has been the principal investigator and program manager for several SBIR-funded projects to develop novel technologies with applications in defense, space, medical, and materials sciences.

Ms. Kathryn L. Dawson is a founder and the Chief Operating Officer of Acelera. She obtained her Master’s degree in Sociology from George Mason University in 1995. She has over 20 years of managerial experience in both business and higher education. She handles the day-to-day operations and management of our facilities, as well as steers the direction of future business enterprises.

Ms. Jennifer Rankin, Chief Financial Officer, possesses a Master’s degree in Accounting from George Mason University and was a licensed Certified Public Accountant for many years at Duvall Wheeler, LLP in Manassas, VA. She brings to Acelera 15 years of experience in accounting, with additional expertise in government contractor accounting procedures. She has worked with our parent company, Microwave Technologies Inc., since its inception and serves as financial advisor to the company.