Executive Leadership

Joseph K. Hitt, PhD
Executive Director

Dr. Hitt is recognized nationally as an expert in wearable robotic technologies and human systems participating on multiple government, private and academic panels and boards such as the Board on Army Science and Technology, the Army Basic Science Review Panel, Wearable Robotics International Workshop, and invited to be the plenary speaker at numerous conferences such as the ones held by the National Robotics Initiative, the National Defense Industrial Association, Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the Harvard University Smart Clothes Symposium, and ExxonMobil Wearable Technology Workshop. After serving as the director for both the Aerospace Systems and Thermodynamics Group and the Mechanical Engineering Research Center at the United States Military Academy, Dr. Hitt was invited to become a Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA). While at DARPA, Dr. Hitt led multiple advanced technology programs in partnership with 15 industry prime contractors, 10 subcontractors, and 10 world-class academic institutions and managed a robotics-centric program portfolio worth over $300 Million. Dr. Hitt currently serves as the CEO of GO XTUDIO, LLC, a product development company focused on wearable and robotic technologies that enhance health, performance, and quality of life. He obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University and his B.S. in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California.

R. Bruce Floersheim, PhD
Director Of Operations

Dr. Floersheim is currently the CEO of FITT Scientific, a company he co-founded and has led since retiring from the US Army in 2014. Since its inception, he has led the company to become one of the fastest growing companies in the USA, debuting at #27 on the Inc 500 list in 2019 and hitting that same list at #191 in 2020. It was also recognized as the #1 fastest growing veteran-owned company in 2020. FITT Scientific has employees in 7 states supporting DoD and DHS clients. He is also the COO of GoX Labs, a SaaS (Software as a Service) company focused on wearable and robotic technologies that enhance health, performance, and quality of life. Before entering industry, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Floersheim served for over 25 years in the US Army successfully leading and managing in organizations of increasing complexity and responsibility as an officer in the United States and during five years overseas. He obtained a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 2008 from Old Dominion University, his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1989.

Arun Jayaraman, PT, PhD
Director Of Global Outreach

Dr. Jayaraman is the Director of the Max Näder Center for Rehabilitation Technologies & Outcomes Research, Executive Director of the Technology & Innovation Hub (tiHUB), and a Research Scientist at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. He is also a Professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences, and Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. His research interests focus on developing and executing both industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated research in rehab robotics, prosthetics, orthotics, and other assistive and adaptive technologies to treat physical disability. He specifically focuses on using quantitative outcome measures (example wearable sensors, smart phones, biomarkers etc.) to improve the real-world use of rehabilitation technology. Dr. Jayaraman’s work is currently funded by NIH, DOD, NIDILRR, NSF, Industry, and private foundations. He earned his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Medicine from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL and his M.S. in Physical Therapy from Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.

Thomas Sugar, PE, PhD
Director Of Science & Technology

Dr. Sugar is a Professor in the Polytechnic School, part of the Ira. A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. He started the Human Machine Integration Laboratory in 1999. He is currently developing wearable leg exoskeletons that assist a person to walk and run. These systems seamlessly transition between walking and running. The lab projects have involved the development of advanced compliant actuator concepts, cutting-edge prosthetics for amputees and energy harvesting from a walking foot-soldier. Dr. Sugar received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

Philip Sugar
Director Of Strategy

Phil Sugar has served in leadership positions at multiple businesses and organizations, with extensive start up and management experience at a variety of software companies. As the CFO for EnviroMetrics Software, Phil developed and implemented a sales and marketing strategy that doubled and tripled revenue in 1994 and 1995. Later, as COO of Essential Technologies, he was in charge of developing the strategic business and financing plan which included seeking out venture capital. After serving on the Board of Directors for Return Central, Inc., Phil moved on to be named the CEO of Smart Button Associates, Inc. During his tenure there, he was instrumental in growing the customer loyalty software company to have over 50 clients in the hotel and hospitality industry. Phil is currently the President of SpringActive Corporation which he helped found and currently oversees all its business activities. He received his BAS in Systems Engineering from the Moore School at the University of Pennsylvania and his BSEcon in Entrepreneurial Management from Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania.

Urs Schneider, MD
Executive Director, Europe

Dr. Schneider is recognized internationally as an expert in exoskeleton and prosthetics and orthotics technologies and biomechatronic research in respect to protection and treatment of the human musculoskeletal system. He has served in a variety of leadership roles in prosthetics & orthotics, rehabilitation and exoskeleton research committees in Europe and US. He serves as Director of the Health Technology Division at Fraunhofer IPA in Stuttgart and manages the Biomechatronics Department. Dr. Schneider also serves as head of the Human Technology Interaction Department at IFF, University of Stuttgart and teaches biomechatronics at Stuttgart University. He is the initiator of WearRAcon Europe and the Exoworkathlon study format, working closely with the Wearable Robotics Association leadership.

Marisol Barrero
Director, Workplace Safety Applications

Marisol Barrero joined Amazon Web Services (AWS) as Global Ergonomics Manager in August 2021. Previously she worked for Toyota Motor North America Safety Group for almost 15 years. Most recently she managed the development and integration of safety-related technology and innovations across North American operations, which is a unique role that she started at Toyota. Before that she held the position of Regional Ergonomics Manager, where she managed a team of ergonomists to support Toyota’s 15 North American manufacturing facilities. Prior to Toyota, Marisol worked as an ergonomics consultant with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group and Humantech, as well as a researcher with the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH). She received her B.A. and M.S. from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. She has been a Certified Professional Ergonomist since 2006. Marisol is involved in several external organizations. She is the co-founder and current Board member of the Automotive Exoskeleton Group (AExG), which is sponsored via the Wearable Robotics Association. She sits on the ASTM Exoskeleton Center of Excellence Research & Development Committee and is a member of F48, the first external standard on exoskeletons and exosuits. She is a regular speaker at various safety and technology conferences including Applied Ergonomics Conference, National Ergonomics Conference, and Enterprise Wearables Technology Summit. She is also a member of F48, the ASTM standards committee on exoskeletons and exosuits.