Nuestro Equipo
William R. Benner Jr
President / CTO
As President, he sets the general strategic direction for the company and oversees all aspects of company operations. As CTO, he is in charge of all hardware and software development as well as research for new products and new directions for the entire laser display industry.
In addition to having received more than 20 international awards for technical achievement, products invented by William and manufactured by Pangolin are currently used by some of the best-known entertainment and technology companies in the world, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, DreamWorks pictures, Boeing, Samsung and Lawrence Livermore Labs.
William holds numerous issued and pending US and International Patents, and has received personal letters of commendation from U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Florida Governor Bob Graham. He has articles published in the SMPTE Journal, The Laserist, LaserFX, EDN magazine and Motorola’s Embedded Connection magazine, and is co-author of the best-selling business novels Game Changers, Win, and The Only Business Book You’ll Ever Need. William has also been featured on NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX television affiliates.
Beyond his work at Pangolin, William also served for five years as a member of the board of directors of the International Laser Display Association (ILDA) as well as serving for seven years as ILDA’s Technical Committee Chairman. He also contributed expertise to outside companies including NEOS, Cambridge Technologies, RMB Miniature Bearings and many others.
Ante Uglesic
Director - Pangolin Europe
Ante is a partner in Pangolin Laser Systems, Inc. and Diector of Pangolin d.o.o., our European division of the company located in Slovenia. Ante has an extensive background in the laser industry, and before working with Pangolin, he was programming and performing laser shows all across Europe. Ante has a passion for computer and electrical engineering, and now oversees the production of various Pangolin products, while also is assisting with the development of new technologies Pangolin is bringing to the laser industry.
Justin Perry
Chief Operating Officer
Justin oversees the company’s general business, financial, and marketing efforts. In addition, he has assisted in the expansion of the Pangolin’s distribution networks, working with clients around the world to expand the markets served by Pangolin’s laser-display and text messaging products.
Justin is an alumnus of the University of Central Florida’s School of Business Administration, where he studied Business Administration, Marketing and Finance. His internships included working with the national automotive firm J & L Marketing, where he participated in designing, developing and launching automotive marketing campaigns for companies including BMW, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Chrysler, and General Motors.
In addition to his current role at Pangolin, Justin was also elected to the International Laser Display Association’s Board of Directors and also serves as Chairman of the ILDA membership Committee. He has had articles published in a variety of industry publications including MONDO DR, TPI, and PLSN magazines, as well as Lighting and Sound America.
Justin started his first business at age 17, and has a true passion for marketing and international business strategic partnerships. He enjoys collaborating with companies around the world to help grow the laser industry. When not working, Justin and his wife Saori often spend time enjoying Florida’s active outdoor lifestyle.
Jorge Aponte
General Manager
Jorge Aponte in the Customer Support Manager here at Pangolin, and assists with order processing, invoicing, accounting and production. Jorge has a passion for customer service, and was previously a support manager for the major phone service provider SPRINT. Jorge’s fun and energetic spirit is a driving force behind Pangolin’s reputation as a leader in client support.
Bob Varkevisser
IT Manager
Bob mainly works behind the scenes to keep the information flow and systems going. Bob is integral in many other company operations from troubleshooting, graphics design, web management, product development, product testing and also programming the Pangolin cloud used in various of Pangolin products. He has extensive knowledge in areas of networking, routing Internet, communication and server systems. Also an addicted BEYOND user and uses his expertise to freelance as laserist on the Dutch market.
Alexey Sinitsyn
Lead Programmer
Alexey received a degree from the Kharkov Air-Space University. His specialties include computers, computing algorithms, computing systems and networks. Alexey has written software for a variety of applications including scientific research, nuclear power plant diagnostics, DMX light controllers and laser controllers. Alexey has been working on Laser controllers since 1998 and working on mobile messaging software since 2001. Alexey is currently the lead programmer on many of Pangolin’s projects, including Lasershow Designer peripheral programs including QuickShow, BEYOND, and LivePRO and Interactive Messaging Unlimited.
Valery Furmanov
Custom Controls Developer
Valery received a degree from the Kharkov Air-Space University. His specialties include computers, computing algorithms, GUI design, system software and networks. Valery has worked in a variety of areas including control systems for turbo generators in power plants, medical database software and software for experimental devices. Valery has been working on laser control software since 1997 and on mobile messaging software since 2001. Valery is our resident expert for Custom Controls development (all of those pretty buttons, toolbars, scrolling panels, etc.) as well as MCI, DirectX, and the underlying nuts and bolts that most people never see.
Niels Debaets
Chief Firmware Engineer
Niels is our Chief Firmware Engineer, and has an extensive history in the laser and lighting industry. Niels currently leads our hardware development team, specializing in the development of new features for all Pangolin laser control hardware. Prior to working at Pangolin, Niels worked as a freelance lighting operator for major European festivals and tours.
Cathleen Bastian
Programmer
Cathleen works as a freelance programmer for us, specializing in 3D related software plugins for our software (Cinema 4D, BEYOND 3D, etc.).
Don Moir
Programmer
Don works on software development, primarily focusing on audio visual plugins for our products.
Dieter Burkard
System Software Specialist
Dieter has studied computers starting in 1983. Since that time he has gained experience in the design of computer electronics and related hardware, and also in computer software using various assembly language variants, C/C++, Delphi and Visual Basic. He has been programming for laser display systems since 1991 and has worked for one of the largest laser companies in Germany. Dieter’s current tasks include assembly language programming for the QM2000, and work on the QM2000.NET, as well as Showtime Shows import for BEYOND.
Lyra Letourneau
Creative Director
As creative director, Lyra is responsible for the overall creative direction of Pangolin. Including exhibition stand design, and tradeshow management. As well as overseeing our creative content departments, and training initiatives. Lyra also manages our showroom, and oversees the creation of support and training materials (including training videos, support videos, podcasts, and manuals).
Aaron McDonald
Technical Support Manager
Aaron McDonald is the Support Manager here at Pangolin. Aaron has a deep passion for lasers, and served as a vocal member on the prominent Photon Lexicon forum for years. Aaron has year’s of experience working with Pangolin software, and he enjoys sharing that passion with others in the community. In addition to providing support, Aaron also specializes in the programming of laser light shows, on all Pangolin platforms. And, he has assisted a variety of laser show companies, working as a freelance technician.
Igor Strakhov
European Support Engineer
The synergetic fusion of light and music is Igor's long-standing and passionate love. Experience with Pangolin software since 2013. He independently created both small and large-scale laser shows as a project manager, scenarist, artist and direct performer. He is the translator of documentation for QuickShow and localized the interface QS and Beyond on Russian language.
Daniel Radtke
European Support Engineer
Daniel provides direct support, advice and consulting through research of new trends and technologies. Daniel is integral in many other company operations ranging from troubleshooting, shipping preparations, quality assurance and graphic design as well as marketing initiatives, webdesign /-programming, and marketing tools. His broad range of experience is backed with an education as IT Specialist for Application Development and a diploma engineer in applied science of media at the University of Applied Sciences in Germany.
Francesco van Loon
European Repair Service support engineer
Francesco is Pangolin's "swiss army knife". He oversees all repairs of Pangolin control products (QM2000, FB3QS, FB4) as well as lasers - within Europe. In addition, he helps with software testing, tutorial video creation, training, installations, and exhibition services. He is knowledgable in all areas of Pangolin products, and is a great resource when help is needed across the board.
Paul van Loon
European Repair support manager
Paul manages the daily office administration, accounting, production and logistics for Pangolin's Service and Support office in the Netherlands. He is also Francesco's father.
Calvin Hunt
Marketing and Sales Associate
Calvin is responsible for Pangolin's social media channels (FB, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube). In addition, he oversees the companies blogs, and manages the creation of company newsletters, video productions, and podcasts. Calvin also assists with basic sales related activities, and exhibition preparations.
James Meeks
Warehouse manager
James oversees the Pangolin warehouse - including shipping, receiving, rental management, and order packaging and exports.
Marissa Hanley
Administrative Manager
Marissa is our Administrative Manager, and helps with all office related functions. From working with clients on orders, to helping with inventory and production, to answering the phone, and more. She is a Swiss army knife for the organization, and works across many roles and activities.
Alex Dou (Dou Yi)
China Branch Director
He received a honors degree in Business English from the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Before joining Pangolin, Alex formerly worked for LFI International. He has extensive computer knowledge from working with computer sales, maintenance, server administration and serving as the Minister for the Network and Information Department (NID) of the school of Business English at Guangdong University. Alex is responsible for sales, customer support, dealer relations, translations, forecasting, and general operations within China.
Maja Rozman
Maja Rozman
Maja oversees all accounting, invoicing, and billing related functions for Pangolin Europe.
Darko Anzelak
Pangolin Euro Production Associate
Darko oversees testing and quality control for Pangolin Europe.
Marjan Skrjanec
Pangolin Euro Production Associate
Marjan assists with production at the Pangolin Europe office
Ryan Smith
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
Ryan Smith is Senior Mechanical Engineer here at Pangolin, for both our Pangolin and ScannerMAX divisions. Ryan studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Central Florida, and has extensive experience working with popular design software programs such as Solid Works. Ryan assists with various ScannerMAX product developments, including work done on our Compact-506 and Saturn-1 systems. Ryan’s expertise and passion for engineering is reflected in his product designs.
Erik Dominguez
Technical Support Manager
Erik Dominguez is currently the Production Manager for Pangolin’s ScannerMAX division. Erik is originally from Honduras, and studied electrical engineering at the National University of Honduras. Upon moving to Florida, Erik transferred to the University of Central Florida, where he is currently finishing his degree in the electrical engineering field. Erik has a passion for quality, support and service, and this is reflected in the way he manages the ScannerMAX division.
John Fiji
Production manager
John oversees the production line for Pangolin's Compact-506 galvos. Including manufacturing, shipping, order processing, and hiring.
Christopher Princler
Lead tech
Christopher is in charge of Saturn production lines for ScannerMAX division
Jordan Greck
Lead tech
Jordan assist with the manufacturing of our Compact-506 galvos. He is one of our lead technicians in this division.
Adrian Ruiz
ScannerMAX Assembly Engineer
Adrian is one of our assemblers of ScannerMAX products.
Joseph Sosa
ScannerMAX Assembly Engineer
Joseph is one of our assemblers of ScannerMAX products.
Hilda Julieta Lacaze
ScannerMAX Assembly Engineer
Hilda is one of our assemblers of ScannerMAX products.
Mary Garavano
ScannerMAX Assembly Engineer
Mary is one of our assemblers of ScannerMAX products.
Ray Escobedo
ScannerMAX Assembly Engineer
Ray is one of our assemblers of ScannerMAX products.
Taylor Yarrish
ScannerMAX Assembly Engineer
Taylor is one of our assemblers of ScannerMAX products.
Valeria Alvarez
ScannerMAX Assembly Engineer
Valeria is one of our assemblers of ScannerMAX products.