Maria Thompson, President and CEO, has over seventeen years of experience in product development, sales and marketing with proven business management accomplishments as well as startup company strategic focus and direction. Maria has served as President of T/J Technologies since its inception in 1991. Under her management, T/J Technologies became one of the fastest growing R&D companies in Michigan and has secured more than $17 million in development contracts. She was recently chosen as one of Business Direct Weekly?s Most Influential Women for 2004. In 2000, Maria was recognized by Crain?s Detroit Business as one of Metro Detroit's "Innovators". She earned her MBA and her Bachelor?s degree in Industrial Design from the University of Michigan. She has industrial experience with Steelcase Corporation and IBM. At Steelcase, she was involved in product development, and at IBM, following four years in marketing, Maria was assigned to develop and expand the technology and service business in a global automobile market segment. In that role, she increased business by 150% over a two-year period and received multiple sales awards. She serves on the National Institute of and Standards and Technology, Advanced Technology Program Advisory Committee and is a past Board member of the Small Business Association of Michigan.Maria Thompson, President and CEO, has over seventeen years of experience in product development, sales and marketing with proven business management accomplishments as well as startup company strategic focus and direction. Maria has served as President of T/J Technologies since its inception in 1991. Under her management, T/J Technologies became one of the fastest growing R&D companies in Michigan and has secured more than $17 million in development contracts. She was recently chosen as one of Business Direct Weekly?s Most Influential Women for 2004. In 2000, Maria was recognized by Crain?s Detroit Business as one of Metro Detroit's "Innovators". She earned her MBA and her Bachelor?s degree in Industrial Design from the University of Michigan. She has industrial experience with Steelcase Corporation and IBM. At Steelcase, she was involved in product development, and at IBM, following four years in marketing, Maria was assigned to develop and expand the technology and service business in a global automobile market segment. In that role, she increased business by 150% over a two-year period and received multiple sales awards. She serves on the National Institute of and Standards and Technology, Advanced Technology Program Advisory Committee and is a past Board member of the Small Business Association of Michigan.