Ross Evans is a self-described renaissentrepreneur, a title that captures the exciting array of business and social projects he has initiated. As the inventor of the Xtracycle FreeRadical longtail bicycle system he gained experience taking an idea into domestic production and then on to Asian manufacturing. The opportunities he saw in that endeavor led him to co-found Worldbike, a non-profit dedicated to the design and dissemination of affordable cargo-carrying bicycles around the world (two Worldbike models are now part of a Cooper Hewitt/Smithsonian design exhibit titled “Design for the Other 90%”). In 2002 Ross was selected as one of the top 40 designers in the world by ID magazine. He invented the SuperFort, a children’s construction toy utilizing magnets and “foam noodles” that won Parenting’s toy of the year. Ross earned a B.S. in design engineering from Stanford University. From his time studying and teaching in the Product Realization Lab there, he gained experience in a broad spectrum of manufacturing processes and product design techniques. Ross is passionate about using design to do good in the world by tackling projects that are too early or risky for others to get involved in.

Luke Hunt brings the eyes of a naturalist and the rigor of a scientist to the team. His research activities have taken him from Alaska to Antarctica and countless places in between. He has a deep well of biological inspiration, particularly designing empirical methods and analytical techniques to simplify complex systems. For many problems, this means developing a better measure of true success. By pairing quick experiments with quantitative abstraction, he moves projects quickly through intermediate solutions. Luke holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University in biomechanics. His dissertation focused on the dynamics of species borders in complex associations and involved research tools ranging from quantitative genetics to computer modeling to truck jacks. Luke thrives on testing strategies and stretching molds.

Tad Finkler completes the team with his engineering training and experience. He has a knack for entering new fields, digesting the local state-of-the-art, and then successfully overcoming the technical problems standing in the way of progress. His previous projects include laboratory automation, fundamental science research tools, medical device design, industrial recycling equipment, renewable energy design, and solar module manufacturing. He has worked with teams as both lead engineer and consultant, and excels at bringing methodical planning, strategic clarity, and unified engineering documentation to projects during the often messy phase of technical breakthrough. Tad earned a B.A. in Engineering/Physics from Westmont College, plus a B.S.M.E. and an M.S.M.E. from Stanford University. He brings a powerful set of tools to the team with his training in fundamental engineering analysis, mechatronic design, dynamic controls, his design-for-manufacturing sensibility, and his proven experience in project management. He thrives on solving problems and providing technology tools to enable colleagues and clients to be more effective in pursuing their ambitions to improve the world.