Redwood City, Calif., June 13, 2024 – Reach Power (Reach), the leader in wireless Power-at-a-Distance, announced today that Jim Smith, former Acquisition Executive, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), has joined its Government Advisory Board. Smith will collaborate with Major General (Ret.) Clay Hutmacher and other government and military veterans to provide Reach with expert insights and operational guidance as the company delivers innovative power beaming solutions to the defense and intelligence community.
Reach specializes in wireless power beaming systems that support persistent operations of drones, robotics, and sensors. Its wireless power transfer technology (WPT) uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to power and charge various electronic devices, from small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) to ground robots and hard-to-reach sensors. This technology reduces the dependency on batteries and the necessity for manual battery swaps.
“Reach’s innovative approach to energy distribution will be critical across the Joint battlespace – especially given the proliferation of sensors and autonomous systems.” said Jim Smith. “I’m excited to contribute to this team’s dedication to solving our warfighters’ most challenging technical problems.”
“We are honored to welcome Jim Smith, a seasoned acquisition expert who understands the vital role innovation and advanced technology play in supporting our services, to our Government Advisory Board,” said Chris Davlantes, Founder and CEO of Reach. “Jim’s extensive experience in government acquisition will be key in helping Reach navigate the complexities of working with federal agencies, accelerating our efforts to deliver cutting-edge wireless power solutions where they are needed most.”
Jim Smith is the former Acquisition Executive for the United States Special Operations Command where he managed over $6 billion annually in support of global special operations. With more than 30 years of experience in government acquisition, Smith is dedicated to fostering a robust industrial base and a vibrant technology sector for national defense.
Smith began his career as an infantry officer, serving in various leadership positions before transitioning to Army acquisition. In this role, he led the development, procurement, and fielding of state-of-the-art technologies, culminating in his position as a Program Executive Officer. After 27 years as an Army officer, Smith joined the Senior Executive Service and served an additional ten years at Special Operations Command.
Smith has been recognized for his acquisition expertise with the Presidential Rank Award and the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Medal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy, a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, and a master’s in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.
About Reach
Reach is the industry leader in Wireless Power-at-a-Distance. Reach’s wireless power beaming changes electric power delivery in the same way that Wi-Fi changed data delivery. The system is built on state-of-the-art, patented technology, including high-efficiency power beaming circuitry, network optimization algorithms, and adaptive electromagnetic surfaces, delivering a highly scalable, safe, and easy-to-use power platform. Ideally suited for government, public safety, manufacturing and logistics, the Reach solution provides flexible access to power where and when needed, streamlining device deployment, and improving device performance.
Follow Reach
