• John Irick

    Founder/CEO

    John Irick is the Founder of Five Forces, Inc., and a serial entrepreneur. Beginning in the early 90's, his first venture was in the healthcare industry. Since then he has owned and operated several businesses around design and innovation. John conceived of the Five Forces airdrop technology when observing the gentle descent of the Silver Maple seed falling from a tree. He has a degree in Business from the University of Texas at Austin, and also holds a degree in Fine Art.

  • Eric Wang

    Co-Founder/CTO

    Eric has many years experience in UAV configuration design, field test operations and engineering project management. Professional interests include in system integration, applied aerodynamics and control in dynamic systems. Enthusiast in eVTOL, novel aero vehicle development and aviation history. He received an undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering from National Formosa University in Taiwan and received a Master degree in Aeronautics & Astronautics from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Advisors

Dr. Bob Breidenthal

Dr. Robert Breidenthal is a professor in the William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics at the University of Washington. Research interests include turbulence, vortex transport, and bluff-body flows. He received an undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Wichita State University and graduate degrees in Aeronautics from Caltech. Following a postdoc at Caltech, he moved to Seattle in 1980.

Peter Dorsey

Peter Dorsey is a licensed Architect based in New York City with a Master's degree from the Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation at Columbia University. He is the recipient of several awards, including the winning competition entry for a South Pole Research Facility, and grants including the National Endowment for the Arts as well as the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts. Peter has taught design studios and seminars at several Universities, most recently at The Rhode Island School of Design.

Joe McSwiney

Joe McSwiney has decades of experience in building innovation driven brands. He is the Principal Director at Nua Holdings.  Prior to starting Nua he was the CEO for SOG, a tactical gear brand. From 2006 to 2016 he served as President of Cascade Designs Inc., home to the iconic outdoor equipment brands: Therm-a-Rest, MSR, Platypus and SealLine.  Joe received his undergraduate degree in Electronics Engineering from the Munster Technology University and attended University College Galway, to earn his MBA.