Thursday, January 14, 2010
Ken Solinsky
President and Co-founder, Insight Technology Inc., - Londonderry,NH
(The largest developer and supplier of Night Vision and Electro-Optical systems to the US Military)
Location:
New England Center, Durham, NH
Time: 8:00AM – 10:00AM
Ken Solinsky
Ken Solinsky and his wife, Grace, bet their life savings on his dream business and grew it into a world leader in military technology. Founded in 1988, bidding on a Government proposal for infrared aiming lights, Insight won that proposal, and Ken has steadily grown the company into the largest developer and supplier of Night Vision and Electro-Optical systems to the US Military. Ken has been extensively involved in every aspect of the company from the beginning. From product development and sweeping floors in the early days to currently overseeing over 1,200 employees and managing customer relationships, he remains a hands-on leader.
The key to Insight’s success is it willingness to sacrifice near-term profit to invest in new products and processes. With an organic approach to growth, Insight has expanded its highly-sophisticated product line to enhance the safety and performance of military and civilian forces.
Mr. Solinsky has a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson College of Technology, a M.S. Degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University, and a M.S. Degree in Management from Stanford University, Graduate School of Business. He also holds a Secretary of the Army’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Material Acquisition and two Department of the Army Commanders Awards for Civilian Service.
Prior to founding Insight Technology, Mr. Solinsky joined the U.S. Army Night Vision Laboratory in Fort Belvoir, Virginia in 1974 where he held a series of increasingly responsible positions including Production Engineer and then Project Leader for Night Vision Goggles, Project Leader for Tank Thermal Sights, and director of Product Assurance. From 1981 to 1982, Mr. Solinsky was assigned to Europe where, as the first Director of the U.S. Army’s Night Vision Forward Office, he was responsible for enhancing the Army’s ability to use and maintain modern Night Vision equipment.
Upon returning to the United States, Mr. Solinsky managed the Integrated Systems Team at the Night Vision Laboratory and was then appointed Program Manager for Night Vision Devices. In this position, Mr. Solinsky was responsible for the technical requirements and system acquisition of over $835 million of Night Vision Devices.
Mr. Solinsky left government service in 1986 and joined Kollsman in Merrimack, New Hampshire as Program Manager for Thermal Systems. In 1988, with the help of his wife and a former colleague, Insight Technology was formed. A small government contract for Infrared Light Transmitters and a more substantial contract for Infrared Aiming Lights marked the beginning of Insight Technology as a viable company.
Insight went on to win a series of additional production contracts for various Infrared Aiming and Illumination devices, principle among them being the AN/PEQ-2 & 2A Infrared Target Pointing Illumination Laser. This device became a standard issue item for combat personnel in all branches of the U.S. Military and has been adopted by friendly countries around the world. Over 400,000 AN/PEQ-2 & 2As have been produced to date, and over 300,000 AN/PEQ-15s have been delivered.
Insight then began producing the Military’s most advanced Image Intensifier System, the Panoramic Night Vision Goggle, and the first Thermal Imaging Goggle of operational significance. This work further expanded with the introduction of a variety of sighting devices employing both Image Intensification and Thermal Imaging Technology, and a Fusion Night Vision Goggle that provides both Image Intensification and Thermal Imaging in a single helmet mounted system.
Insight currently produces over 15,000 Night Vision and Electro-Optical systems per month which include Laser Aiming and Illumination Devices, Image Intensification Systems, Thermal Imaging Systems, and Laser Rangefinder Systems. Insight also supplies numerous spare parts and ancillary items. Insight products are in use by all branches of the U.S. Military, are exported to friendly nations around the world, and are used by federal, state and local law enforcement officers.
Today, Insight employs over 1,200 people with three modern engineering and manufacturing facilities in Londonderry, New Hampshire.