About
OUR WHY
We the team at INNOVATE blu , simply want to make products to help people and aquatic wildlife safely cohabitate as they experience the amazing world of ocean water adventures. We have a vested interest due to personal traumatic experiences with ocean wildlife of those on our team, friends, and family.
We love the beach and all it has to offer and don’t want to fear spending a day in the water doing our favorite things (surfing, paddle boarding, bodyboarding, swimming, playing, etc… ).
"A pebble held close to the eye appears to be a gigantic obstacle. Cast on the ground, it is seen in perspective..."
— Richard G. Scott
OUR INNOVATORS
We are a team of technical experts and innovators engaged in finding solutions to real world problems. MEET THE TEAM:
Robert McFarlane
Team lead, risk management.
Robert is an entrepreneur and owner/partner in multiple businesses. He has over 20 years of experience as a professional project manager and is constantly on the look out to find creative ways to solve problems. Trained as an architect and as a process/operations planner, he has focused much of his energy on planning, programming, and new operations. As a technical expert he has guided hundreds down the path of transition to new ways and ideas.
Robert has traveled the world and has lived overseas. He spends time in service at his church & community. He loves the beach and has been a surfer since he was 12. Ocean adventures are part of his life.
Ryan Rowan
Marketing, quality assurance.
Ryan is an entrepreneur, currently involved in businesses in three different industry sectors. He functions as market research lead for INNOVATE blu. He also contributes to product development and future marketing efforts. He currently treats patients at Temecula Medical Group as a primary care provider and has 15 years of experience in the field of medicine.
Ryan has lived all over the world including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Utah. Serves in his local church. Lover of many sports, but most of all feels extremely blessed to have an incredible wife and four beautiful and talented children!
Trevor Norrbom
Inventor, engineer.
Trevor is deeply passionate for research and development work and genuinely enjoys paving the way for innovative technology. As an inventor and self proclaimed super nerd he exemplifies the spirit of innovation. He serves as CTO for multiple companies concurrently, and is highly sought after. His education and experience stand on their own…. he has been creatively solving problems for large multinationals to start-up corporations for years.
Trevor values family and friends. He loves to work with likeminded people, and finds energy and meaning by solving real world problems through invention, engineering, innovation.
Megan Mickle
Subject Matter Expert, Research.
Megan Mickle is currently finishing her PhD at the University of Windsor, under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Higgs, where she studies the influence of noise on stingrays. Megan has been studying the integrative response (behavioral, physiological, and morphological) of noise on fish for approximately 11 years. Megan's current research takes her to the Bahamas where she exposes southern stingrays to different types of noise stressors to establish their behavioral audiogram. Megan is passionate about all aspects of marine conservation. Megan is considered an expert in her field of study.
Dennis Higgs
Research & Development.
Dr. Dennis Higgs is a Professor at the University of Windsor and has been working in the field of fish acoustics for over 25 years in both freshwater and marine systems. Work from Higgs’ research group has focused on both basic and applied aspects of fish acoustics, with a recent emphasis on the effects of anthropogenic sound inputs on fish hearing and behavior. Higgs’ past work has been funded by a large range of sources, with past NSERC industrial connections (via NSERC DG, CRD and Strategic funding and an NSERC Synergy Award) being key contributions.