Metamagnetics Inc., a provider of cutting-edge RF magnetics solutions for the aerospace, defense and telecommunications industries, has announced new executive leadership. Vince Harris has taken on the role of chief executive officer, and Lee Burns has been promoted to president and chief operating officer. The moves come as the company has received several new contracts recently including an $11 million award for a military communications project.
The core team at the company includes engineers and scientists with extensive knowledge of electromagnetism, material science and quantum physics, specifically as these disciplines relate to RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave signal transmission and processing. This knowledge has allowed the firm to infuse innovation into a mature field of high frequency magnetics, says the company.
Leveraging its expertise in ferrite materials and wireless communications, the Massachusetts-based company has been bringing new capabilities to military forces and defense contractors seeking improved designs and deployment for their radio frequency and microwave systems, able even to withstand the extreme forces of missile launches where permanent magnets have been known to shake loose.
As reported earlier in Magnetics Magazine, the company has developed a ferritic substrate which enables it to make robust, high-performance and miniaturized self-biased RF and microwave circulators and isolators for mission-critical military networks. The devices enable developers to produce high power radar and communication systems that achieve their goals for size, weight, power and cost reductions while also enabling a variety of novel system design and surface mount installation approaches.
Harris, who founded Metamagnetics in 2008, has provided much of the foundational research underlying the company’s technologies. Harris is also the chairman of the company’s board of directors. Also a distinguished and chair professor at Northeastern University, he is the former head of the Naval Research Laboratory’s Materials Physics Branch.
Burns is a long-time Metamagnetics veteran and was previously vice president of operations. Burns has considerable expertise in crystal growth and ferrite materials, as well as manufacturing for specialized defense and aerospace components, critical areas for the company’s product scaling. Prior to Metamagnetics, Burns was the head of production and operations for CVD Inc., a supplier of advanced materials to the semiconductor industry. He replaces Anton Geiler, previously president, who left the company and joined satellite imagery company BlackSky.
“I am tremendously excited to be assuming the Chief Executive role at this important moment in the company’s trajectory,” said Harris. “I believe Metamagnetics has a breakthrough technology solution and capability that is absolutely vital for our customers in the defense and security landscapes and beyond. We are now positioned to commercialize all of the promising research and engineering achievements that we have made over the last several years.”
“Lee is exactly the right person to help me lead and manage operations at Metamagnetics. Beyond his unique grasp of the complexity of our products and the processes through which they are made, Lee is the embodiment of our company values, and has unparallel commitment to our customers and employees. I am fortunate to be moving forward in 2023 with such a talented executive as Lee.”
Under Harris and Burns’ leadership, Metamagnetics will continue to build out its promising product and engineering businesses. The company recently received several major contract awards, including a $11M award for a major US Navy modernization program for secured communications. For more info, see www.mtmgx.com.
