Executive Team

As Founder and CEO of Ideal Innovations, Inc. (I³), Mr. Kocher is responsible for executive management and development of innovative corporate growth areas. I³ began in 1998 in response to the U.S. government’s urgent need for specialized, responsive technology consulting in areas directly affecting the health and safety of deployed forces and U.S. citizens.

Prior to establishing I³, Mr. Kocher served with the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) for six years as a Program Manager where he was responsible for the evaluation, selection and transitioning of high-concept technologies for military applications in peacekeeping and future combat operations. He also formed and institutionalized the Army’s Quick Response Office to provide cutting-edge technologies in counter-terrorism and peace-keeping to soldiers and peacekeepers.

Mr. Kocher graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, with a Bachelor of Science degree and served in a variety of military management and leadership positions. He holds a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University and is a Certified Level III Program Manager, Department of Defense and Program Management Institute (PMI). Additionally, he is a Certified Level III Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering. Mr. Kocher is an inventor currently holding 54 issued and pending patents, an avid athlete completing 56 marathons, and is an active jet pilot.

Mr. Kocher is a member of the I³ Executive Committee.

I³Mr. Syretz is President of Ideal Innovations, Inc. He has P&L responsibility, directs corporate strategy and runs day to day operations. Mr. Syretz has been employed by I³ for over 15 years and has held the positions of CFO and COO prior to being appointed President in Dec. 2022.

Prior to joining I³, Mr. Syretz was Director of Finance for the $600m Defense Business Unit of URS Corporation (formerly Washington Group International and Raytheon Company). At URS he was responsible for financial reporting and strategic financial planning.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Syretz held financial roles of increasing responsibility within Raytheon Company in Newport, Rhode Island, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, including serving as Sr. Business Manager for the Raytheon Demilitarization Company.

Mr. Syretz was honored in 2010 as one of the top CFO’s in Greater Washington by SmartCEO Magazine and as a finalist for Washington Business Journal’s CFO of the Year Award.

In 2014, he was awarded the Company’s Innovator of the Year award.

Mr. Syretz earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with concentrations in both Finance and Economics from Boston College and holds a MBA in Finance. He is also a candidate for the Certificate of Management from Wharton’s School’s Executive Education Program. Richard is a member of the Board of Directors of the 11q Research and Resource Group non-profit where he has served as Treasurer since 2010.

Mr. Syretz is a member of the I³ Executive Committee.

 

As a Senior Vice President (SVP), Dr. Perlman oversees and manages forensic services and training efforts for I³, including efforts in the areas of latent print examination, ten-print examination, facial identification, latent print processing, forensic chemistry, case file management, DNA analysis, forensic photography, firearms and tool mark examination, and DOMEX examination. She also oversees all offerings within the company’s Face Center of Excellence (FaCE).

When Dr. Perlman first joined I³ in 2006, she served as a Technology Advisor to the U.S. Army’s Rapid Equipping Force (REF). While at the REF, she led research activities in areas of armor, explosives detection and explosives analysis.

Prior to joining I³, Dr. Perlman was a Research Chemist in the Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit and the Forensic Analysis Section at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). While at the FBI, she conducted research in the areas of fingerprint detection and development and managed other research programs in the areas of latent prints, questioned documents, explosives, chemical and biological warfare and surveillance. Dr. Perlman received a BA in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry from Washington University in St. Louis; a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania; and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at JILA, a joint institute between the University of Colorado and the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colorado.

Dr. Perlman is a member of the I³ Executive Committee.

 

Mr. Quinn has been with I³ since 2005. In his present role as Senior Vice President for Biometrics Services, Mr. Quinn is primarily responsible for developing and implementing strategies to expand the company’s presence in biometric services and in current client spaces, as well as briefing I³‘s biometric capabilities to broader markets. Mr. Quinn also manages teams providing biometric services to the Department of Defense.

Mr. Quinn is a veteran of the United States Air Force and of both Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Campaigns. As a Non-Commissioned Officer, Mr. Quinn was named the United States Air Force’s Security Forces Airman of the Year.

Mr. Quinn holds Master of Science and Master of Project Management degrees.

Mr. Quinn is a member of the I³ Executive Committee.

 

In his 35-year career, Dr. Ruckman has managed and performed all phases of defense research and development, from basic and applied research to testing, fielding and sustainment. Before joining the I³ team in 2006, he spent 20 years (10 as a US Navy Civilian) developing advanced technology for submarine acoustics, including one of the first large-scale systems for active vibration control. He has worked with counter-IED technologies for 15 years, and he served the US Army Rapid Equipping Force at the Forward Laboratory at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. He has planned and directed dozens of field assessments for radars, ISR systems, airborne sensors, and camera systems for long-distance face recognition. He developed one of the first systems for using heart biometrics to verify identity from a distance.

Dr. Ruckman is a Virginia Tech graduate with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. His favorite pastimes include boating, woodworking and playing drums.

Mr. Ross is the Chief Strategic Growth Officer of Ideal Innovations, Inc. As the Chief Strategic Growth Officer, he is responsible for identifying business growth opportunities, developing strategic plans, and ensuring the successful completion of short- and long-term development goals. He coordinates and supports collaboration across relevant departments to execute different marketing, sales, and general business development activities and oversees the execution of effective sales and marketing strategies.

Mr. Ross has over 25 years of experience across business development, service delivery, and P&L management disciplines. His government experience includes serving as a Senior Executive for 6 years at DHS/TSA. His contractor experience includes Culmen International, IBM, Intrepid Solutions, A-T Solutions, and GDIT. He has led Business Development, Capture and Proposal teams across numerous corporate portfolios to include Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Civilian Organizations, Foreign Military Sales and Foreign Military Acquisitions. He has successfully managed organizations of over 700 personnel and has a proven ability to identify potential programmatic shortfalls and provide long-term solutions within budgetary and time constraints.

Mr. Ross is a former USMC Major serving as a Communications and Signals Intelligence Officer serving is various leadership, instructor and operational test positions. Don is a graduate of Norwich University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Government and a MS in Information Technology Systems Management. He maintains many certifications to include C4I Systems Planner, U.S. DoD Level 2 Program Management (DAWIA) and U.S. DoD Level 2 Test and Evaluation (DAWIA)

Ms. Farmer has over 26 years of Human Resources experience. She joined Ideal Innovations Inc. in 2005 and has over 15 years of Human Capital leadership experience in Department of Defense contracting.

Ms. Farmer leads the Human Capital initiatives for Ideal Innovations, Inc. She oversees a team of talented Human Resources professionals in the development and implementation of strategic human resources policies and programs covering employment, compensation, benefits, performance, employee relations, talent acquisition, retention and compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws for employees worldwide.

Prior to her position at Ideal Innovations, Ms. Farmer held leadership roles with increasing responsibility at four other companies.

In addition, Ms. Farmer is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management.