Management Team
John M. Price, Ph.D. (Founder)
John founded Thinkify to move RFID software and hardware to a new place -- inside everyday objects and spaces. John was most recently the head of Software Engineering for California-based Alien Technology Corporation, a privately-held company that develops and sells EPC Global Gen2 RFID tags and readers.
While at Alien, John ran the team that developed the firmware, software and enterprise architecture for some of the largest UHF RFID deployments in the world, including Wal-Mart, ATT and the Department of Defense. Under his direction, over a seven year period Price's team developed a steady stream of successful RFID software products and RFID reader platforms -- taking Alien from being a company that had never made an RFID reader to being one of the industry leaders. Alien recently received industry recognition from ABI Research as being the best in implementation among 15 RFID reader companies including, long-standing industry giants, Motorola and Intermec. While at Alien Price also contributed to the development of international RFID hardware and software standards; contributing to the Class 1 Gen1 and Gen2 RF protocols and chairing the Reader Protocol committee within EPC Global's Software Action Group.
Prior to Alien, Price was Director of Software Engineering at WaveID, a Washington-based RFID company specializing in battery-assisted passive tags and readers. WaveID was acquired in 2001. John studied Philosophy and Mathematics at the University of Arizona (1982-1986), and earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of California at Berkely (1991) under Nobel Laureate, Dr. Yuan T. Lee.
Curt Carrender (Founder)
Curt brings hardware expertise, industry knowledge and strategic direction to Thinkify. This is his fifth RFID startup. The first was Amtech Systems - the first commercially successful RFID company. Carrender previously held the position of V.P. of Engineering Systems and R&D at Alien Technology Corporation. In this role he was responsible for all hardware design, development, research and testing under Alien’s private and Government programs. His responsibilities included R&D, Hardware Engineering, Antenna design, Software/Firmware Engineering and Test design/development and Test Applications. From 2002 through 2008 he has managed 36 products from conception to release resulting in over $70M in revenue. He was also responsible for the development of the company’s newest venture, Alien Technology Asia, from inception to their current status of number 2 sales channel and development partner. Carrender and his team invented and named the Squiggle, the most successful RFID tag ever made, with over 500M units shipped. (It is also the only RFID tag known to be incorporated into a tattoo.)
Carrender came to Alien in 2001 when Alien was a start-up focused upon displays. By 2006 Alien was the leader in RFID Technology, and holds the number one sales position for ASIC’s, tags, antennas, software and readers in the world.
Peter Soule (Operations)
Peter joined the Thinkify team shortly after the company's formation in December 2008: responsible for all aspects of Thinkify's manufacturing and new product development as RFID products move into their next phase of deployment. Mr. Soule is a 25 year veteran in the electronics field with special focus on high volume manufacturing and direct working experience with various Tier one EMS partners both domestic and offshore. As previous Director of Purchasing and Supply Chain for Alien Technology, Soule's role included manufacturing support for multiple million unit volumes per month RFID antenna and IC's; along with new product introductions and product roll over. In addition, Soule's duties included supporting Alien's manufacturing and development of all RFID hardware platforms, customer service & field returns, and shipping and receiving departments. Soule's team has deployed and support one of the largest installed RFID projects in the world today, with customer installed sites in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Prior to joining Alien, Soule has held management positions with other high volume industry leaders as Advanced Fiber Communications, 3Com Corporation, and Intel. Peter earned his Bachelors degree and teaching credential from San Jose State University and continued Business studies.