Automation Alley Proud to Welcome 1,000th Member

iRobot Corporation joins as newest member

TROY, Mich., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Automation Alley, a technology business association driving growth in Southeast Michigan’s technology economy, announced at its Annual Meeting today that iRobot Corporation has become the organization’s 1000th member.

“Starting with just 44 members in 1999, we are now 1,000 members strong,” said Ken Rogers, executive director, Automation Alley. “This is a goal that we’ve been striving for and with the ongoing support of Southeast Michigan’s business community, we’ve been able to become the largest technology business association in the state. It’s remarkable to look back at the past 10 years to see the tremendous accomplishments the organization has achieved.”

Founded in 1990 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology roboticists, iRobot Corp. specializes in behavior-based robots that help people complete tasks with improved results. Powered by iRobot’s unique AWARE(TM) Robot Intelligence Systems, the company’s robots can navigate in complex and dynamic real-world situations. To date, the company has sold more than 3 million iRobot Roomba(R) Vacuuming Robots worldwide, making it the best-selling consumer robot in history. Also, more than 2,000 iRobot PackBot(R) Tactical Mobile Robots have been delivered to a broad range of military and civilian customers around the world. These robots have performed tens of thousands of missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Given the region’s strong technology sector and innovative atmosphere, we are excited to become a member of Automation Alley and to contribute to the Southeast Michigan business community,” said Joe Dyer, president of iRobot Government and Industrial Robots. “Opening an office here is something that iRobot has looked forward to for quite some time. TARDEC, the universities, and the deep pool of engineering talent will accelerate the capabilities of our robots. I have no doubt that our collaboration with Automation Alley will be of great importance to iRobot’s growth in Michigan.”

“Robotics is a growing industry in Michigan and iRobot’s decision to locate an office in the state is a positive development as we continue to try to find new opportunities to diversify our economy,” said Senator Carl Levin. “I look forward to a strong collaborative relationship between iRobot, Automation Alley, our universities, and the Department of Defense that I’m confident will yield advancements in robotics technology and new capabilities for our warfighters.”

In addition, the voting membership approved the slate for the 2009 Automation Alley Board of Directors, who serve as the key decision-makers within Automation Alley and are vital to the development of programs, services, events and committees. Brian McGinnity, chief financial officer at HIROTEC AMERICA, remains as President.

The following board members were elected to a one-year term:

• Debra Homic Hoge, director of North America operations, world wide real estate, General Motors Corporation

The following board members were re-elected for a three-year term:

• Brian Balow, member, Dickinson Wright
• Ed Donovan, senior vice president, Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Gary Gavin, vice president for key and large group sales, Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Scott Goemmel, executive vice president, PMV Technologies
• Robert Hoover, program manager, BAE Systems
• Robert Nichols, director of external affairs and associate to President Stan Liberty, Kettering University

Remaining board members include:

• Stephen Cassin, executive director, Macomb County
• David Darbyshire, owner, DASI Solutions
• Dennis Duncanson, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
• Christine Estereicher, manager, state relations, Chrysler LLC
• Greg Guidice, principal, RazorThreat
• Brian Kundinger, president and CEO, Kundinger Controls
• Michael McNalley, director business energy services, DTE Energy
• Turkia Mullin, assistant county executive, Wayne County
• Ken Rogers, executive director, Automation Alley
• Dennis Toffolo, deputy county executive, Oakland County
• Adam Wilburn, practice manager, RCM Technologies

About Automation Alley

Automation Alley is a technology business association driving the growth and image of Southeast Michigan’s economy through a collaborative culture that focuses on workforce and business development initiatives.

Since its founding in 1999, Automation Alley has expanded to include 1,000 businesses, educational institutions and government entities, covering an eight county area and the City of Detroit. Automation Alley promotes regional prosperity through business attraction services, exporting assistance, workforce development and technology acceleration.

For more information, visit www.automationalley.com.

SOURCE Automation Alley