Management Profiles

Robert E. Yadon, Ph.D.
Board Advisor

Dr. Robert Yadon serves as board advisor for Perkins Communications and brings with him nearly 30 years experience and leadership in the communications industry.  He holds the rank of full professor and director of the applied research institute within the Center for Information and Communication Sciences, a graduate program at Ball State University.

Dr. Yadon came to Ball State University in 1987 from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in Washington D.C., where he was Vice President of Television Operators.  The NAB represents over 900 television stations, 4,500 radio stations and the commercial networks before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and in the federal courts.

Prior to joining NAB, Dr. Yadon spent a number of years on the graduate faculty at both Michigan State University, and the University of Oklahoma.  During his seven years at Michigan State, he was responsible for developing one of the top graduate level, media management programs in the United States.  While at MSU he was named Director of System Development for the NSF-funded Rockford Two-way Cable Project, one of the premier interactive broadband cable systems in the country.  Much of the Hardware and software developed during the project is still being utilized within the cable television industry. 

In addition to the research on two-way cable, he was co-founder of East Lansing Research Associates (ELRA Group), one of the leading cable television consulting firms in the industry.  Working with firms like Teleprompter, United Cable Television and others, his company conducted marketing and feasibility studies, and assisted in the development of franchise applications for some of the top cities in the United States.  Some of his other clients have included Paul Kagan Associates, Golden West, Time-Life, and Booth America.

At Ball State, Dr. Yadon has been involved with the early development of the Center, to include primary responsibility for funding of the Applied Research Institute.  He was instrumental in establishing research partnerships with major telecommunications firms like Bay Networks, Rolm, Anixter, Tekelec, Cabletron, HP, and AT&T.  His research work includes the development of networked, interactive multimedia systems, and he regularly consults with Lucent Technologies, U.S. West Advanced Technologies, Ameritech, McDonald’s Corporation, and GTE Labs on strategic planning and applied research problems. 

Over the past twenty years he has authored a number of articles, book chapters and manuscripts on broadband services and technologies.  He has appeared as a guest speaker before organizations like the National Cable Television Association (NCTA), the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the National Engineering Consortium (NEC), The Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA), the National Communications Forum (NCF) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).  In response to the global telecommunications environment, his international travels have taken him to Paris, Brussels and Geneva.

Joe Perkins
President

Mr. Perkins serves as a President of Perkins Communications and of the Hi5 Entertainment Corporation, bringing  nearly 20 years of experience and leadership in the broadcast television and Video on Demand Industries.  A physics major from Youngstown State University, he developed early software applications for the emerging Personal Computer platform.  Projects included first generation database applications, word processors, graphical calculators and printer utilities.  Migrating to broadcast television, he worked as an engineer for several television stations including affiliates of ABC, FOX and PBS, as a field producer for CBS and ABC national networks working with national post production houses on advanced special effects platforms such as the Digital FX Composium.  He founded a first generation 3D effects house, “Digital Animations” in 1990, producing computer graphics for the broadcast television and cable industry.  Joining a PBS affiliate in 1996 as Systems Administrator, he developed architecture for transporting educational video streams to classroom computers in eight Ohio counties.  Using high-speed telephone circuits to offer Video on Demand, video conferencing and online collaboration to teachers and students on the “VOD network”, he received both State and national awards.  Serving for one year as Chief Technology Officer for The Compass Alliance, Inc., he was responsible for high-end rollouts featuring Voice and Data convergence via corporate ATM networks.  Founding Perkins Communications in 2000, he returned to video over wire technologies and developed several advanced set-top box designs for hospitality, business and educational markets.  The company continues to offer a product and service mix that targets advanced, first generation computer and networking applications in education markets. 

Dorinda Perkins
Vice President 

Ms. Perkins serves as Vice President of Perkins Communications, bringing advanced networking skills and World Wide Web expertise to the organization.  Working in the K-12 education market space, Dorinda has successfully implemented several instructional computer laboratory designs, providing both network administration and utilization services.  She is internationally known as “CyberMom” (http://www.perkinscomm.com/cybermom), having developed a highly acclaimed online educational Web site for preschool through 4th grade students and educators.  Her work as an online computer troubleshooter, “Puter School”, prompts daily E-mail from around the globe from those seeking expert advice on computer topics.  She also developed an innovative online tutorial Web site, “Newbies Online” (http://www.perkinscomm.com/newbie), which provides assistance to those new to the computer and World Wide Web.  She served as Regional Network Coordinator for Cellular One, providing computer and network troubleshooting for the company’s branch offices.  Her expertise in training and computer utilization enables Perkins Communications to offer turnkey solutions with an emphasis on staff development. 

Mike Ruiz
Chief Technology Officer 

Mr. Ruiz serves as Chief Technology Officer of Perkins Communications, contributing a wealth of experience in high-tech related sales, support and troubleshooting.  Holding and Associates degree in Computer Engineering Technologies, Mr. Ruiz has owned and operated On-Site Computer Services in Miami, Florida for over eleven years.  The firm has provided design, installation and support services for major corporations and is a Microsoft Certification Training Center.  Certified by IBM, Mr. Ruiz is has demonstrated ability in the field of computer assembly and design, staff hiring and management and 24 x 7 customer support.