Jim Carlson

Jim Carlson is founder, CEO and chief engineer of Carlson in Northern California. In 1990, he invented the Optaphone last-mile telephone device for use in isolated areas. In the two decades since, Carlson has continued to develop breakthrough technology to enable wireless communication solutions for rural and remote regions. Now, his company is once again on the cutting edge, with RuralConnect IP, one of the earliest software-defined broadband radios on the market to utilize in TV white-space spectrum. Carlson's background is in electrical engineering, computer science and ASIC design, with certifications from Grand Rapids Community College and Portland State University.