Featured Guest Profiles

Minya Gavrilovic, PhD, is General Manager of ANDREW Antennas and Filters, a global leader in wireless infrastructure and antenna technology. He is a senior RF and antenna engineering executive with more than 20 years of experience in mobile communications, specializing in base station antennas, RF system design, and high-performance wireless network solutions.

He is responsible for the P&L of the Antennas and Filters business, including global product strategy, engineering, operations, and portfolio development supporting macro, small cell, and other antennas & filters for next-generation 5G networks. His work focuses on delivering high-efficiency antenna systems that improve coverage, capacity, and network performance for operators worldwide.

Minya holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from McGill University and began his career in advanced RF and satellite communications engineering, including roles at EMS Technologies and the Canadian Space Agency. He went on to hold senior technical and leadership positions at companies including CCI Antennas (formerly TenXc Wireless), and Galtronics, where he led major antenna development programs deployed by Tier 1 mobile network operators globally.

Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in driving innovation in antenna architectures, multiband system designs, and 5G-ready network infrastructure, helping shape the evolution of modern mobile connectivity.

Listen in Episode 17 

Jaime Molins Benlliure, PhD is an Antenna and RF Engineer with a strong background in antenna design, analysis, and integration. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Technology and Services Engineering (2015), Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering (2017), and PhD in Telecommunication Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), where he conducted research with the Antennas and Propagation Lab under a scholarship from the Spanish Ministry of Science. His doctoral work focused on advanced antenna design techniques, particularly small antennas and Characteristic Modes Analysis (CMA), and led to publications in several leading journals and international conferences. Since joining Taoglas in 2023, Jaime has contributed to a broad range of antenna design and RF system integration projects, helping bridge cutting-edge research with practical wireless solutions. His areas of expertise include compact antenna design, electromagnetic modelling, antenna optimization, and the integration of high-performance antennas into increasingly complex RF platforms.

Listen to Jaime in Episode 15

Michael McLaughlin is a co‑founder and former Chief Technology Officer of Decawave, the Irish semiconductor company best known for pioneering ultra‑wideband (UWB) technology for precise positioning and secure wireless communication. After graduating from University College Dublin in 1982, Michael began his career at a time when engineering jobs were scarce in Ireland. He went on to spend 18 years at Lake Datacomms (formerly Cornel Electronics). Following a further two years at Parthus Semiconductor, he decided to start his own venture. In 2004, Michael co‑founded Decawave, helping to bring UWB technology from research into widespread commercial adoption across consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial applications. Decawave’s work played a major role in establishing UWB as a core wireless technology alongside GPS, Wi‑Fi, and Bluetooth. Michael has been at the forefront of international telecommunications standards development with the ITU and IEEE since 1989 and is the inventor of 103 international patents. Following Decawave’s acquisition by Qorvo in 2020, he continued working on UWB technology at a senior technical level, focusing on advanced algorithms and next‑generation positioning solutions. He is widely respected for his long‑standing contribution to wireless engineering and for helping position Ireland as a global leader in high‑accuracy radio location technology.

Listen to Michael in Episode 14

Lars Jacob Foged received his M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1990. He is currently Vice President of Research and Development at Microwave Vision Group (MVG). He is a Fellow and Past President of the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association (AMTA) and received the AMTA Distinguished Achievement Award in 2017. Lars currently serves as Chair of the Antenna Standards Committee (ASC) of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S). His involvement in the IEEE community also includes serving as Chair of the Industry Initiatives Committee (IIC) from 2016 to 2017 and contributing to the New Technology Directions Committee (NTDC). His efforts in bridging research and industry were recognized with the IEEE AP-S Industrial Innovation Award in 2023.

Listen to Lars in Episode 13

Leo Matytsine is the Executive Vice President and co-founder of MatSing, where he oversees global strategy, product direction, and business operations. He co-founded the company in 2005 and has played a central role in shaping its growth from a research-focused startup into a global provider of advanced antenna solutions. In 2006, Leo helped lead the development and patenting of MatSing’s signature RF lens antenna technology. This innovation marked a departure from traditional antenna designs and laid the foundation for the company’s long-term vision. A major breakthrough came in 2013 when MatSing deployed its lens antennas at the Coachella music festival, successfully addressing heavy data traffic and proving the performance of the technology in a real-world, high-demand environment. Following that success, Leo helped establish MatSing’s U.S. operations in Irvine, California to support the company’s expansion into the North American telecom market. Since then, he has continued to lead efforts to scale the company’s technology for large venues and macro network deployments worldwide. He holds a B.S. from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the Australian Global School of Management.

Listen to Andre in Episode 12

Tim Kelley is an antenna engineer currently working at Amazon, where he focuses on advanced RF challenges within satellite and connected systems. He has over a decade of hands‑on experience designing and testing cellular, GNSS, and Wi‑Fi antennas for highly constrained devices. Tim began his career in antenna measurement and outdoor testing at Electro‑Metrics in upstate New York before spending several years at Taoglas, where he worked closely with global customers on complex multi‑band and multi‑antenna designs, including LTE MIMO systems and carrier‑certified devices. Known for combining simulation with bench‑level experimentation, Tim brings a practical, physics‑driven approach to antenna design. He studied Physics at SUNY Oneonta and remains passionate about hands‑on engineering, problem‑solving, and educating others on why antennas deserve far more respect than they often receive. While he now makes his home in Washington, he remains a New York Giants fan, representing Big Blue in the Emerald City.

Peter is a wireless industry veteran with over 20 years’ experience in antenna design and RF test systems. He is a physicist, holding a Diplom-Physiker degree from the University of Leipzig in semiconductors and a Ph.D. from the University of Duisburg, focused on high-frequency transistor noise characteristics. He has served as Chief Antenna Designer for Siemens Mobile Phones in both Germany and San Diego, USA, and is the inventor of 14 antenna patents. He later led antenna R&D at Lumberg Connect, a key Siemens supplier, and was responsible for terminal test strategy at Vodafone Global in Düsseldorf. Peter has worked closely with leading certification laboratories in Germany and Silicon Valley, and specializes in automated RF performance test systems. He is widely regarded as a leading authority on IoT device self-interference and is a named contributor to both the CTIA OTA and Vodafone OTA test specifications. In 2025, he founded his own company, providing antenna design services and support for advanced and specialized testing, including circularly polarized military antenna applications.

Listen to Andre in Episode 10

Andre Fourie, Founder and Group CEO of Poynting Antennas is an entrepreneur and antenna industry leader with more than 35 years’ experience in electromagnetics and wireless technology. He founded Poynting Antennas in 2001, building the company into a global antenna design and manufacturing business. He is now As CEO, he listed Poynting Holdings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange before later transitioning Poynting Antennas into a private company, allowing it to continue innovating without public market constraints. Andre is passionate about applying African ingenuity to create world-class connectivity solutions that make a real impact globally. He leads Poynting Antennas with the company ethos Beyond a Connected Life. He holds a B.Sc. Engineering (Electrical) and completed a Ph.D. engineering programme at Wits University, and is a member of the IEEE.

Listen to Andre in Episode 9

Fergal Lawlor is the Founder and CEO of Alpha Wireless (Alpha Antennas), an Ireland-based antenna manufacturer serving global defense, security, public safety, and telecommunications markets. Since founding the company in 2007, Fergal has led Alpha Wireless’s growth from a startup into a globally recognized antenna supplier, known for engineering quality, reliability, and customer partnership. As CEO, he focuses on strategic direction, innovation, and scaling high-performance antenna solutions for mission-critical and network infrastructure applications worldwide.

Listen to Fergal in Episode 8

Ben Culver is the CEO, President, and co-owner of Southwest Antennas, a San Diego–based designer and manufacturer of high-performance antenna solutions for military, aerospace, public safety, and industrial applications. Since joining the company in 2013, Ben has helped grow Southwest Antennas from a small team into a $25M business with over 130 employees and more than 2,000 active products. His background spans U.S. Navy fire control electronics, RF engineering, and antenna systems, combining deep technical expertise with hands-on executive leadership.

Listen to Ben in Episode 7

Oliver Leisten is CTO of Helix Geospace and a pioneer in satellite receiver and antenna design. With a PhD in Solid State Microwave Electronics, he holds over 40 patents and has published extensively in the field. Oliver previously founded Sarantel, commercialising dielectric-loaded helix antenna technology at scale. At Helix Geospace, he applies advanced antenna arrays and GNSS innovation to deliver resilient, high-accuracy positioning in challenging urban environments.

Listen to Oliver in Episode 6

Dr. Sanford is a Professor of Practice at UC San Diego and advises multiple companies in the wireless industry. He previously served as CTO at Ubiquiti Networks, REMEC, Laird, and Cushcraft, and was President of Optimal RF and Smartwaves both acquired as strategic purchases. His work focuses on advanced physical-layer hardware and applying AI to microwave and RF design. Earlier, he was an Associate Professor at Chalmers University of Technology and led the Mobile Tower Top Group at Huber & Suhner AG, developing products that became industry standards. He has been a key contributor to five equity events. He began his career at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, designing military phased arrays and communication systems.

Listen to John in Episode 5

With a PhD in Electrical Engineering and over 25 years in the antenna industry, Dr. Argy Petros brings deep technical expertise and hard-won practical experience to every project. From early antenna work at Motorola to launching his own company focused on multiband solutions for the trucking industry, Argy has spent his career designing antennas that perform in the real world—not just on paper. Now VP of Engineering at Taoglas, he leads the development of cutting-edge RF solutions across automotive, IoT, and satellite applications. If you want to understand what truly makes an antenna work, Argy’s the guy to listen to.

Listen to Argy in Episode 4

With over 25 years in the global antenna industry, Olivier Robin brings unmatched insight into how antennas shape the connected world. As Taoglas COO, he blends deep technical knowledge with global market experience to guide customers through the complexities of RF design, performance, and innovation. If you want to truly understand what makes wireless work, he’s someone worth listening to.

Listen to Olivier in Episode 3

Dr. Satish Sharma is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at San Diego State University and Director of SDSU’s Antenna & Microwave Laboratory. His research focuses on advanced antenna systems for wireless, satellite, and radar applications, including reconfigurable antennas, phased arrays, and multifunctional RF structures. A recipient of the NSF CAREER Award and the IEEE AP-S Harold A. Wheeler Prize Paper Award, Dr. Sharma has authored extensive publications in electromagnetics and antenna engineering. He is widely recognized for bridging fundamental research with practical antenna design used across modern communication and sensing systems.

Listen to Satish in Episode 2

Baha Badran is global head of engineering at Taoglas. Badran has over 20 years of experience in RF, antenna design and product development across thousands of projects. He currently leads a strong team of 60 world-leading engineers at Taoglas and is an expert in the field of RF and radio communications.

Listen to Baha in Episode 1