Management Management

Jhan Vannatta President & CEO

President and CEO Jhan Vannatta has charted a course of high achievement, rapid advancement, and stable growth for Signalscape.

In 18 years working with the Department of Defense, Mr. Vannatta focused on the development and management of intelligence data collection and processing systems. His experience included program management, research, algorithm development, embedded systems and Internet protocol analysis.

Mr. Vannatta's extensive defense industry and technology management experience make him ideally suited to lead Signalscape into the 21st century.

“The future of Signalscape is directly tied to the intellectual depth and diversity of the technical challenges we’re able to offer our engineers” he says. “They take substantial pride in finding solutions that meet customers’ operational needs and, in so doing, making the critical difference.”

Mr. Vannatta holds a Masters degree in Computer Engineering from Loyola College and a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University.

Michael Kacher Director of Engineering

Michael Kacher is Director of Engineering at Signalscape. He joined the company in 1998.

Specializing in Signal Processing and Communications, Mr. Kacher has worked extensively with government and commercial entities to design and implement numerous communications monitoring solutions. Prior to joining Signalscape, he worked for Ericsson, Inc. designing baseband hardware for cellular communications equipment.

Recently, Mr. Kacher has focused on ensuring that Signalscape’s Engineering Department continues to maintain the key personnel, tools, and facilities that have made it a first-class provider of high-tech solutions to both government and industry.

Mr. Kacher received his MS in Electrical Engineering from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and dual Bachelors degrees from the University of Toledo in Engineering Physics and Electrical Engineering.

Robert Earl Ross Director of Operations

Robert Earl Ross is Director of Operations at Signalscape. He joined the company in 1998.

Specializing in Signal Processing, Mathematics, and Systems Engineering and Development, Mr. Ross has extensive experience with Speech Enhancement and Recognition Systems. His past accomplishments include development activities for the Signalscape Speech and Separation Toolkits and lead roles on numerous System Development projects.

As Director of Operations, Mr. Ross oversees the budgetary, staffing, and contract administration functions for the company’s government and commercial engineering contracts.

Mr. Ross graduated cum laude with dual Bachelors degrees from Duke University in Mathematics and Electrical/Computer Engineering.

Sam G. Burgiss Director of Products

Director of Products Sam Burgiss leads commercial product activities at Signalscape, including product development, marketing, sales and technical support. He has been with the company since 2000.

Mr. Burgiss applies his experience in engineering, product life-cycle management and marketing to Signalscape's product strategy. His analysis of emerging market segments and responsiveness to customers prompted a recent refocusing of the entire Signalscape product line, leading to the introduction of two new products. In addition, Mr. Burgiss drove the company's recent re-branding effort to create the successful StarWitness^SM product line.

Mr. Burgiss holds an MS in Electrical Engineering from The University of Tennessee and a BS in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Michael T. Elliott Director of National Intelligence Programs

Mike Elliott is Signalscape’s Director of National Intelligence Programs. He joined the company in 2007.

Prior to joining Signalscape, Mr. Elliott was a Supervisory Special Agent serving as the Assistant Section Chief for the FBI’s Electronic Surveillance Technology Section. In this capacity, he provided leadership to the electronic surveillance operations and programs necessary to accomplish the FBI’s communications intercept (audio and data), video surveillance, and related data management missions. With more than twenty-one years in the FBI, Mr. Elliott held various positions including investigative experience as a Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent Unit Chief.

Mr. Elliott has extensive experience as a subject matter expert in the formulation and execution of legal and policy matters regarding court authorized electronic and physical surveillance. He also is certified as an expert witness with regard to law enforcement technology issues in U.S. Federal Court and represented the FBI on several law enforcement technical committees, intelligence community committees, Department of Justice technology review committees and foreign and domestic law enforcement working groups.

Mr. Elliott holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and retired from the FBI in 2007.

Scott Kell Technical Director

Scott Kell is Signalscape’s Technical Director. He joined the company in 1997.

Specializing in Signal Processing, Radio Frequency, Communication Systems, Image and Video Processing, and Speech Recognition, Mr. Kell acts a resource for each of Signalscape’s business units. His primary duties include managing the corporate Research and Development function, consulting on new Intellectual Property, researching technological advancements and changes, and managing the reuse of existing corporate IP. In addition to his management activities, Mr. Kell also conducts independent and directed research for various customers and programs.

Mr. Kell holds a Masters in Engineering from Princeton University as well as Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering from Purdue University.