RAE Systems Inc. : RAE Systems Strengthens Management Team With Key Functional Hires For Global Expansion and Strong Growth

RAE Systems Strengthens Management Team With Key Functional Hires For Global Expansion and Strong Growth

RAE Systems Appoints New VP, Director and Corporate Controller

SAN JOSE, Calif. - October 4, 2012 - RAE Systems Inc., a leading developer of gas and radiation detection systems for oil and gas, emergency responders, industrial safety, national security, and environmental monitoring, today announced that William Kolbeck, Prabhu Soundarrajan and Mark Heap have joined the company.  

RAE Systems is experiencing strong growth. Since the merger with Vector Capital in 2011, the company's charter has been to build growth by strategically adding to its leadership team. The additions to the team are expected to strengthen RAE Systems middle level management, product line expansion and solution development.

Mr. Kolbeck will become the new Vice President of Radiation Instrumentation, Mr. Soundarrajan will become the new Global Director of Applications and Solutions and Mr. Heap will become the new Corporate Controller.

As VP of Radiation Instrumentation, Mr. Kolbeck is responsible for the development and growth of all aspects of the radiation business including strategy, business development, product development, operational execution and financial management.  Mr. Kolbeck has worked in numerous senior managerial positions prior to taking on the role at RAE Systems and is a results-driven leader with a track record of managerial success. Preceding RAE Systems, he was at Raytek Corp. for 10 years as their Business Unit Director. Prior to this, he rose from regional sales manager at TSI to General Manager at Watlow Anafaze. Mr. Kolbeck will now focus on driving sustained revenue growth in the radiation instrumentation business.

Mr. Soundarrajan will provide leadership to centralize RAE's applications knowledge and expand core products and technology to solutions for mission critical applications in strategic markets.  Prior to RAE Systems, Mr. Soundarrajan was Global Business Unit Manager at LumaSense Technologies where he led cross-functional teams on InfraRed gas sensors for automotive and industrial markets.  Before this, he was VP of Business Development with H2Scan Corp where he developed and commercialized gas analyzers for oil and gas industry.  Mr. Soundarrajan started his career in developing nanotechnology based sensors for national security and has been awarded multiple patents, authored papers in peer reviewed publications, with over a dozen public speaking engagements. 

In the role of Corporate Controller, Mr. Heap will provide oversight to a global organization while focusing on implementing strategies to enhance operational performance, compliance and profitability.    After spending seven years at WebEx Communications and then the WebEx Division at Cisco in senior finance roles, Mr. Heap brings a wide range of experience to the Corporate Controller position.  He began his career working at a local San Jose firm as a CPA, and later earned a Master's degree in Taxation.  With his background, Heap will offer the capability to strengthen RAE systems' Strategic Tax Planning, Transfer Pricing and Due Diligence.

"The range of skills and experience that these new hires bring to RAE Systems will be vital to our company growth and to the continuing success of building world class, reliable products for our customers," said Chris Toney, RAE Systems Chief Operating Officer. "The new team members will help lead the company's approach to delivery of advanced gas and radiation detection solutions, including the ability to capture and deliver real-time data that allows organizations to provide greater worker, public and responder safety and asset protection."

RAE Systems' Growth Through Leadership 
RAE Systems has been operating as a privately held corporation after shareholders approved a merger with the global private equity firm, Vector Capital, in June 2011. Since the merger, Vector Capital has made several key appointments to its leadership team as part of its strategy to drive future growth of the company.

About RAE Systems Inc. 
RAE Systems innovates, designs and manufacturers gas sensors and radiation detectors. The company offers a full line of fixed gas detection and  portable gas detection solutions, including handheld and personal chemical, compound and radiation detection instruments. RAE Systems' proven real-time safety and threat detection systems have been deployed by world leaders in the oil and gas, fire and hazmat,  industrial safety,  national security and environmental markets, helping save lives and maintain safety in 120 countries. The company's industry-leading gas sensors and radiation detection solutions are widely recognized for their performance and reliability. RAE Systems is based in Silicon Valley. Learn more at http://www.raesystems.com.