John W. Prausa
John Prausa leads the Engineering & Systems Group, the largest organization at SRI International. In this role, he directs a 750-plus-member staff in three divisions: Engineering Research and Development, Products and Services, and Information Systems. The group conducts research, development, deployment, and support of technologies, products, and systems in areas such as ionospheric and space research, radar and remote sensing, signal processing and algorithm development, applied quantum systems, marine technology, medical products, robotic systems, persistent surveillance, video processing and imaging, software engineering, security systems, and communications.
The group's work ranges from performing scientific research to operating sites and systems for clients. It operates and conducts research from a radar site in Sondrestrom, Greenland, develops instrumentation for Department of Defense tactical and training exercises, and develops advanced technology for the intelligence community. The group is also involved with commercialization of intellectual property and R&D for commercial clients. This blend of capabilities allows the group to support clients from concept development through deployment and fielding of operational systems.
Since joining SRI full-time in 1975, Prausa has held a number of positions in SRI's Engineering organization. Beginning as a systems analyst, he spent a number of years in SRI's Tactical Training Range Program, assisting in the application of technology to support U.S. military test and training requirements. Later, Prausa was a program director responsible for U.S. Air Force programs, primarily focusing on technology insertion in tactical systems.
In 1990, he was appointed vice president and director of the Systems Development Division (SDD). The primary focus of SDD was on test and training technology, and included major programs in signals technology and transportation. In late 1999, Prausa took over the newly formed Engineering & Systems Division, adding SRI’s various radar and technology programs to his responsibilities.
Prausa has a B.A. in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley and has done graduate course work in Systems Analysis at Stanford University.
