Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/297333
48 florida.HIGH.TECH 2014 Faces of Technology Donald Ariel Raydon Corporation | www.Raydon.com Chairman Education: B.A. in Electronic Engineering Technology, DeVry Institute Company: Raydon Corporation is a global leader in innovating simulation products and solutions, specializing in the development of new simulation and training technologies for gunnery, maneuver and critical task training. The company manufactures training products from its 112,000-square-foot facility in Port Orange. Donald Ariel's early fascination with the space program sparked a lifelong passion for technology. He brings that passion to his daily work as Raydon Corporation's chair- man, where his dual role as electrical engineer and logistician drives the company's innovative approach. Located in Port Orange, Raydon provides modeling, simulation and training services to clients such as the Army National Guard. The National Guard has a unique set of problems as soldiers have far less time to train than their active duty counterparts, and are typically located in about 2,700 differ- ent locations across 2.2 million square miles, yet are expected to perform at the same proficiency levels. "We look at the National Guard's challenge as a content distribution problem," said Ariel. "We try to design technologies that allow us to get better, more relevant content to our customers faster than anybody else." In creating simulation technol- ogy at the right place, at the right time, for the right price, Ariel helps to train soldiers that he may never meet. The opportunity to serve soldiers is humbling to him as he recalls one that returned from combat to say, "I can't tell you exactly how, but the equipment you make saves lives." He considers the comment to be the most rewarding thing he could ever hear. Raydon's systems range from virtual training for equipment, such as firearms to collective battle experi- ences with a group of people seeking to accomplish a mission. While the company is innovative in its product development, he reminds his team that companies can innovate them- selves into bankruptcy very quickly, and thus his focus is on constraining innovation to positive market out- comes. He believes in setting boundaries to create technology that is relevant and fills a void in the market. Ariel's current work involves analyzing simulation technology needs and creating strategy to capitalize on changes as military budgets dwindle. He ap- proaches training as a logistics problem and is working on information systems that allow Raydon to model the market, understanding where training is going on, where it is needed, what is needed and what the company can do to design more cost-effective ways of delivering it. Ariel looks forward to ongoing partnerships with competitors, suppliers and others in the industry who share his curiosity and passion for technology. "I believe the two most important things anybody can have is a profound sense of curiosity and passion," said Ariel. "If you can get very passionate, intelli- gent and curious people focused, they can do absolutely amazing things."