Company Management
Bob Ferris, President/CEO
Bob Ferris serves as CEO. He is the founder of the pre-merger VirTra company (Ferris Productions, Inc.) since 1993 and in 2008 became CEO of VirTra. Bob attended the US Air Force Academy and received a degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona with a minor in Software. Bob has been awarded a patent, spoken at various trade shows, and developed groundbreaking simulation products highlighted in magazines such as TIME, WIRED and Popular Science. Bob has been referred to by journalists as one of the ‘grandfathers’ of virtual reality and simulation.
Matt Burlend, COO
Matt Burlend serves as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to his employment with the former Ferris Productions, Matt was employed from 1996 until 1999 at Panduit Corporation, a designer of automated production equipment, as a machine design engineer. Matt holds a mechanical engineering degree from Olivet Nazarene University.
Chris Lawcock, Vice President of Software Development
Chris Lawcock serves as vice-president of software development. Chris has served in many roles throughout his career including general manager of AGT (a gaming company) and CTO of Mobiltrak, Inc. (a radio monitoring service). Chris holds a Bachelor of Science, Business - Information Technology Management from WGU.
Aaron DeCorte, Vice President of Sales
Aaron DeCorte serves as Vice President of Sales. Previously Mr. DeCorte served as Director of Sales at Dexis, a provider of innovative digital imaging solutions, where he was responsible for delivering double digit sales growth year-over-year to more than $100 million.
Jeff Lliteras, Controller
Prior to VirTra, Jeff was a Senior Audit Accountant at KPMG, one of the largest international Audit, Advisory and Tax services networks in the world, working with AMEX, NASDAQ and New York Stock Exchange listed companies. His experience includes CFO, Audit, Accounting, Sarbanes-Oxley and SEC compliance services for companies including T-Mobile USA and Shurgard Storage. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Gonzaga University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
John Hinnant, Vice President of Business Development
John Hinnant serves as Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Hinnant is responsible for developing VirTra’s Federal Government pursuits, building key strategic partnerships within industry, developing winning strategies and proposals for new business, and serving as executive leader of VirTra’s Orlando, Florida office. His experience includes serving as an Intelligence Analyst in the U.S. Army, Program Lead at U.S. Army PEO STRI, Program Manager at the FBI, and finally as Managing Director for Intelligent Decisions Inc. Simulation & Training Division prior to joining VirTra. At Intelligent Decisions, John earned contracts with government agencies including the FBI and U.S. Army totaling more than $250 million dollars in 4 years including his most recent win of the $57 million dollar contract for the U.S. Army PEO STRI Dismounted Soldier Training System. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Central Florida and is an active member of AUSA, NDIA, NTSA, CFMCF, NCS, AFCEA (Orlando and Tampa Chapters) and American Legion.