Aaron Wisniewski
CEO, OX Designer
A mad scientist, artist, and olfactory evangelist, Aaron's lifelong obsession with the power of scent and how it can benefit the human experience has led him around the world collecting and bottling scent memories, working as a professional chef, a mixologist, a sommelier, and sensory artist. OVR Technology is the second olfaction based company he has co-founded on his over 20-year journey combining the art and science of our oldest most primal sense and technology to produce meaningful, measurable human outcomes. Among the many scents that hold special meaning to Aaron, the smell of freshly fallen snow in particular has always stood out.
Matt Flego
CTO
Matt is a realization practitioner, focused on pushing the edges of new technology to make product ideas possible. He brings a wealth of multidisciplinary skills to OVR Technology, from circuit design to experimental process engineering. He has deep roots in manufacturing and prototyping from his experience in experimental architectural metal, professional model making, furniture manufacturing, and industrial robotics. Matt thrives on problem-solving and loves learning about the latest advances in technology and manufacturing. Previous to OVR Technology, Matt co-founded M//E Design, with his college studio mate Erik Cooper, providing local businesses with industrial design and product prototyping. As a co-founder of OVR Technology, Matt hopes to bring new life to the burgeoning field of XR. He enjoys the smell of a campfire.
David Stiller
Chairman of the Board
Dave has been a co-founder and strategic advisor to OVR Technology since its inception. In his role as Chairman of the Board, he works with the company’s leadership to define vision, strategy, and objectives. Dave is a principal of Lakeview Partners, which provides funding and strategic advising to for-profit and non-profit companies regionally. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Heritage Aviation and as a Director on the Board of AgNovos Healthcare. Dave received his master’s degree in Emergent Media from Champlain College in 2012. The scents of freshly roasted coffee and green tea are among his favorite smells.
Sam Wisniewski
CFO, COO
Sam’s love of numbers is matched by his delight in the sensory world and naturally led him to help co-found the company. As head of finance and operations for OVR Technology, Sam brings an organized and precise approach to systems and finances. His background in investment banking, a career in restaurant management and consulting, and co-founding a boutique flavor and fragrance company makes him uniquely positioned to bring scent to the world of virtual reality. Sam draws on his breadth of experience and deep skill set to integrate OVR Technology’s dynamic vision and ambitious mission into all aspects of its operations. He enjoys the smell of fresh-cut grass.
Erik Cooper
Head of Design
It all started with Legos, incessantly drawing race cars, and riding dirt bikes in his youth. From that point on Erik’s main purpose in life was being creative, making things, and going fast. He earned his Bachelor's in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in New York. His career spans Broadway set design, art and architectural fabrication, and eventually custom motorcycle design and fabrication as an assistant to Walt Siegl. Erik transitioned into digital fabrication, when he and fellow Pratt graduate Matt Flego founded M//E Design, an Industrial Design and Prototyping company in Burlington Vermont. As co-founder and Head of Design at OVR Technology, Erik leads design, styling, prototyping, and collaborates on all R&D, manufacturing, and general problem-solving activities. His favorite scent is the aroma of opening an old book.
Sarah Socia
Scentware Formulation
Sarah is a scent scientist. Sarah graduated from the Honors College at the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a double minor in Chemistry and Psychology. She has a strong interest in chemoreception sciences cultivated through her research in the lab of Dr. Eugene Delay where she studied the effects of cyclophosphamide on the taste system, and industry formulation experience at Alice and the Magician, a flavor and cocktail aromatic company. She enjoys the smell is crisp autumn morning air.
Jesse Stein
Product & Marketing
Jesse has a history of bringing innovative concepts to market. He cut his Product Management teeth at Apple, where he worked on products such as the original iMac, the first consumer WiFi product line - "Airport," and was Product Manager for Apple's desktop workstation that also introduced a new piece of music software known as iTunes. Jesse brings a diverse skill set, with a history of innovation and executive leadership in Product, Brand, Marketing, Training, and Sales roles, at industry drivers such as Apple, IBM, and Dealer.com to the OVR Technology team. Jesse serves on several advisory and company boards and volunteers his time as a strategy and business coach for business accelerators such as LaunchVT. He is co-inventor of US patent 9641760, and is equally proud of the individuals and companies he mentors, as the iconic products he has brought to market. He relaxes to the sights, sounds, and smells of a wood-burning fireplace.
Robb Barclay
Manufacturing & Engineering
Robb is a natural problem solver and builder. He graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Robb met OVR Technology co-founders Matt and Erik when he worked with them at M//E Design doing CAD design, fabrication and prototype development. Prior to M//E Design, Robb worked at Heco Engineering, a design and development machine shop, and GSR Solutions, an academic bio-fuel company focused on converting algae to diesel fuel. His passion for rock climbing was developed during his time at MetroRock. Robb's tenure at Frost Beer Works, fueled his interest in homebrewing and beer in general. The scents immitted during the brewing process are among Robb's favorite scents.
Rachel Herz
Chief Scientific Advisor
Rachel Herz PhD is a neuroscientist and world leading expert on the psychological science of scent. She is a professional consultant and on the faculty of Boston College and Brown University. Rachel is actively engaged in research with nearly 100 original scholarly articles to date, the recipient of numerous awards and grants, and a member of several advisory boards including the Smell and Taste Association of North America and Fifth Sense. Rachel is also a TED speaker and the author of both distinguished academic and popular science books including The Scent of Desire and Why You Eat What You Eat. Rachel loves all things scent-sory—her favorite fragrance depends on the context.
Chris Scott
Chief Business Officer
Chris Scott is Chief Business Officer at OVR Technology. Chris is an ad tech veteran with over 20 years of experience across industry leaders including Criteo, Google, Admeld, Even Financial, and Taboola. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BSBA from Washington University. In prior experience, Chris has played key roles in pioneering new markets and partnership opportunities, accelerating pipeline growth across key customer segments. He has a track record helping hyper-growth companies scale and achieve sustainable revenue growth through a relentless focus on prioritizing customer and partner needs, including sales, business development, and account management.