Ryan Bangerter has over 25 years of experience in the Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) industry, marked by progressive leadership and a deep commitment to service excellence, connected health innovation, and product development. Over the years, Ryan has held multiple executive roles at Mytrex, including Response Center Director, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Vice President of Business Development. He now serves as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, leading Mytrex’s strategic direction and growth while advancing innovative connected health and aging-in-place solutions that enhance safety, independence, and quality of life. With a strong focus on emerging healthcare technologies, remote patient engagement, and integrated care solutions, Ryan is passionate about building scalable innovations that bridge personal emergency response services with the evolving connected health ecosystem.

Ken Brower, Senior Vice President, Software Platforms, Becklar

Logan Harper is a digital health product leader with over ten years of experience in researching, designing, and scaling technology-enabled care models. At Boston Children's Hospital, he leads the development and launch of remote patient monitoring programs for pediatric care. His work advancing pediatric remote monitoring at Boston Children's has received national recognition. By combining clinical care, product innovation, and digital health strategy, Logan is transforming care delivery for children and families through telehealth and remote monitoring.

David Moss is the CEO and Co-Founder of Care Daily, where he helps community-based and home-based care organizations turn everyday ambient signals into personalized insights for residents, families, and care teams. His work brings precision longevity into the home, using everyday ambient intelligence to help people live safer, healthier, and more independent lives. David has spent his career building connected technology across mobile, smart home, and care ecosystems, including as part of the early team at Bitfone, acquired by HP for $160M. He later created Presence, which pioneered the first smart home freemium model and became a top 0.1% revenue-generating app in the Apple App Store. He is also executive producer of the award-winning documentaries "Longevity Beta Tester" and "Ambient Caregivers."

Aaron Nowakowski is an accomplished product and solutions leader with deep experience in connected safety, health, and emergency monitoring technologies. He currently serves as Director of Partner Solutions at Becklar, where he leads strategic solution development and partner enablement initiatives, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated, high-reliability offerings that support enterprise clients nationwide. Across his career, Aaron has built a strong track record of transforming user needs into innovative solutions, optimizing product portfolios, and enabling organizations to deliver impactful safety and monitoring services at scale. Aaron Nowakowski is an accomplished product and solutions leader with deep experience in connected safety, health, and emergency monitoring technologies. He currently serves as Director of Partner Solutions at Becklar, where he leads strategic solution development and partner enablement initiatives, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated, high-reliability offerings that support enterprise clients nationwide. Across his career, Aaron has built a strong track record of transforming user needs into innovative solutions, optimizing product portfolios, and enabling organizations to deliver impactful safety and monitoring services at scale.

Casey Schuler is the CEO of PalCare, a senior living connected care platform that pairs wireless nurse call technology with analytics to help communities deliver better care. He has led PalCare since 2019. Before PalCare, Casey was Vice President of Operations at NorthStar Anesthesia, with a broader background spanning operations and consulting. He holds a bachelor's degree from Marquette University and an MBA from TCU. Casey lives in Milwaukee with his wife, three young kids, and the family dog.

Kristen Valdes is an accomplished healthcare executive with over 20 years of industry experience. She is the Founder and CEO of b.well, the industry’s leading interoperability and digital health platform, and was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Mid-Atlantic Award winner by EY US. She was also recognized as a Top Innovator in Accenture's Global Health Tech Innovation Challenge. Previously, Kristen held leadership roles at United Healthcare and XLHealth, where she played a key role in a $2.4 billion acquisition. Her work is inspired by personal advocacy in healthcare, earning her recognition as a "40 Under 40" innovator and being named one of "Women Transforming Industries" by Accenture. Kristen actively participates on various healthcare boards, including the CARIN Alliance, Health Scholars, and Nest Collaborative. She holds a degree in Business Information Systems from Stevenson University.

Joe Velderman is a nationally respected leader in healthcare technology and aging services innovation with a career dedicated to helping older adults live healthier, more connected, and more fulfilling lives. As Chief Strategy Officer at K4Connect, he oversees enterprise strategy, market development, and cross-functional initiatives that accelerate the adoption of transformative technologies, including artificial intelligence, across senior living communities nationwide. His work focuses on creating technology ecosystems that enhance operational efficiency, elevate the resident experience, and empower care teams to deliver exceptional service. Prior to joining K4Connect, Joe served as Vice President of Innovation at Cypress Living, where he directed enterprise information technology, digital strategy, and innovation initiatives across a continuum of care that included home and community-based services, primary care, and a continuing care retirement community. In this role, he championed enterprise-wide digital transformation, strengthened the organization’s cybersecurity posture, led workflow transformation and automation efforts, and developed AI-driven tools that directly supported and improved the work of frontline caregivers. Joe’s passion for aging services is rooted in a lifelong affinity for older adults and a deep belief that technology can serve as a powerful force for good in the aging experience. Known for his hands-on leadership style, cross-functional collaboration, and ability to bridge technology and human connection, he is recognized as a trusted voice in the senior living industry. He serves as an advisor to the state of Florida’s health information exchange, is a sought-after speaker on emerging technology trends in aging services, and remains committed to ensuring that innovation improves quality of life not only for residents but also for the professionals who serve them.

Brock Winzeler is the President of Becklar’s Workforce Safety and Personal Health & Safety divisions. Becklar is a leading provider of connected safety solutions, combining innovative technology and compassionate service to enhance the freedom, confidence, and peace of mind of millions across North America. Under Brock’s leadership, Freeus grew into one of the country’s most recognized providers of mobile personal emergency response systems (mPERS), with over 2.5 million devices sold and support for more than one million subscribers through its award-winning monitoring centers. Becklar has championed advancements in AI-driven safety, IoT platform services, and 24/7 professional monitoring, driving $4M+ in annual R&D investments to ensure continuous innovation. Brock is passionate about creating systems that allow seniors to age in place with confidence and help workers stay safe in high-risk environments. Brock lives in Pleasant View, Utah, with his wife and four children. He is deeply committed to family, faith, and building solutions that genuinely care for people first.

Ken Brower, Senior Vice President, Software Platforms, Becklar

Aaron Nowakowski is an accomplished product and solutions leader with deep experience in connected safety, health, and emergency monitoring technologies. He currently serves as Director of Partner Solutions at Becklar, where he leads strategic solution development and partner enablement initiatives, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated, high-reliability offerings that support enterprise clients nationwide. Across his career, Aaron has built a strong track record of transforming user needs into innovative solutions, optimizing product portfolios, and enabling organizations to deliver impactful safety and monitoring services at scale. Aaron Nowakowski is an accomplished product and solutions leader with deep experience in connected safety, health, and emergency monitoring technologies. He currently serves as Director of Partner Solutions at Becklar, where he leads strategic solution development and partner enablement initiatives, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated, high-reliability offerings that support enterprise clients nationwide. Across his career, Aaron has built a strong track record of transforming user needs into innovative solutions, optimizing product portfolios, and enabling organizations to deliver impactful safety and monitoring services at scale.

Brock Winzeler is the President of Becklar’s Workforce Safety and Personal Health & Safety divisions. Becklar is a leading provider of connected safety solutions, combining innovative technology and compassionate service to enhance the freedom, confidence, and peace of mind of millions across North America. Under Brock’s leadership, Freeus grew into one of the country’s most recognized providers of mobile personal emergency response systems (mPERS), with over 2.5 million devices sold and support for more than one million subscribers through its award-winning monitoring centers. Becklar has championed advancements in AI-driven safety, IoT platform services, and 24/7 professional monitoring, driving $4M+ in annual R&D investments to ensure continuous innovation. Brock is passionate about creating systems that allow seniors to age in place with confidence and help workers stay safe in high-risk environments. Brock lives in Pleasant View, Utah, with his wife and four children. He is deeply committed to family, faith, and building solutions that genuinely care for people first.

Dr. Tajinder (Taj) Manku, a visionary entrepreneur and wireless technology innovator, has left an indelible mark on the technology sector. With a Bachelor's in Physics and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (focused on Condensed Matter physics), Dr. Manku’s academic excellence lays the foundation for his entrepreneurial prowess. Founding companies like Pravala, Sirific, and Tag-Comm before 40, Dr. Manku 's strategic leadership steered Sirific Wireless to pioneering a cellular chip with multiple antennas, later acquired by Nvidia for nearly $500 million. In 2014, Dr. Manku co-founded Cognitive Systems Corp., where, as CEO, he revolutionized homes by incorporating motion sensing into WiFi networks. This breakthrough has garnered over 150 patents and 100 technical papers, along with accolades such as the Canadian Award for Research Excellence and recognition as one of CIO Review's 10 Most Promising Wireless Technology Solution Providers. Dr. Manku 's relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation propels Cognitive Systems Corp. to the forefront of the industry, setting standards for WiFi Motion integration and solidifying its position as a technology leader.

Gil Adato is a global digital health leader with more than two decades of experience driving strategy, innovation, and growth across the US, Asia, and Europe. He is the Chief Operating Officer of Sleep.ai, where he partners with a broad ecosystem of partners ranging from consumer brands to health insurers to bring science backed, data driven sleep intelligence and solutions to market. Gil previously held senior leadership roles at Philips and Samsung, shaping digital health, IoT, and AI enabled solutions and services that advanced consumer and patient outcomes worldwide. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the Technion and served in the IDF’s elite intelligence corps, Unit 8200.

Andrew (Andy) Droney is Senior Director, Health and Innovation Programs at ADT and is responsible for the growth of ADT's portfolio of Personal Emergency Response (PERS) products and related services. He is also responsible for operational efficiencies related to the deployment, delivery, installation and service of the ADT Health product line. Prior to joining ADT in 2007, Andy spent 11 years in operations management with Verizon focused on the deployment and infrastructure enhancements of Verizon's FiOS network. Andy graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology from Duke University in Durham, N.C., and earned his MBA from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.

David E. Albert, MD, an Oklahoma native, is a physician, inventor and serial entrepreneur who has developed life-saving technologies and products over the last 30 years, turning a number of those innovations into tech startups. Today, he is a founder of three technology companies, InnovAlarm, Lifetone Technology, and AliveCor. His previous startups include Corazonix Corp (sold to Arrhythmia Research Technology) and Data Critical (sold to GE). Dr. Albert left GE in 2004 as Chief Scientist of GE Cardiology to disrupt several new markets. His latest invention, AliveCor’s KardiaMobile personal ECG technology, became a global sensation via a YouTube Video in January 2011 around the Consumer Electronics Show and was featured on ABC, CBS, CNN and Fox News among many other media outlets. Dr. Albert has 80 issued US patents, a large number pending and several new “secret inventions” in development. He has authored or co-authored over 100 scientific abstracts and publications, principally in the cardiology literature. Dr. Albert has lectured at the Entrepreneurship programs at the MIT Sloan School and the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Albert graduated with Honors from Harvard College and from Duke University Medical School.

Meighen Fitzpatrick, Vice President Product, Lifeguard Health

Mark is the Electronic Caregiver, Inc. Chief Product Officer and founder of the AgeTech Group for the Forbes Technology Council. Mark possesses over 20 years of product development experience at the intersection of technology and aging, including roles at Amazon, Intel, Age Wave, and Health Hero Network. He has received 18 patents and studied at Harvard and Pitt.

Aaron Nowakowski is an accomplished product and solutions leader with deep experience in connected safety, health, and emergency monitoring technologies. He currently serves as Director of Partner Solutions at Becklar, where he leads strategic solution development and partner enablement initiatives, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated, high-reliability offerings that support enterprise clients nationwide. Across his career, Aaron has built a strong track record of transforming user needs into innovative solutions, optimizing product portfolios, and enabling organizations to deliver impactful safety and monitoring services at scale. Aaron Nowakowski is an accomplished product and solutions leader with deep experience in connected safety, health, and emergency monitoring technologies. He currently serves as Director of Partner Solutions at Becklar, where he leads strategic solution development and partner enablement initiatives, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated, high-reliability offerings that support enterprise clients nationwide. Across his career, Aaron has built a strong track record of transforming user needs into innovative solutions, optimizing product portfolios, and enabling organizations to deliver impactful safety and monitoring services at scale.

Eliza Salerno, COO, Medical Guardian

Farman Syed, Vice President of Product, Tonal

INDUSTRY EXPERTISE: Consumer electronics, mobility services and devices, connected health and wellness. Kristen Hanich heads Parks Associates' consumer electronics and mobility research, with expertise in other verticals including connected cars, mobile networking, healthcare, wellness, and independent living. She leads a mix of custom and syndicated research projects throughout the year, with a focus on major players and emerging trends. Kristen specializes in bridging the gap between data-driven and narrative approaches to understanding the consumer markets via a mix of qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Kristen has dual master's degrees in applied anthropology and public health from the Universities of North Texas in Denton and Fort Worth. She earned her BSc in health at the University of Texas at San Antonio and has a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems.

Jennifer Kent is SVP and Principal Analyst at Parks Associates, where she leads research and strategy across the connected home, consumer technology, and digital services markets. A widely recognized industry expert and sought-after speaker, she is known for her insights into market trends, growth opportunities, and evolving business models. Her work spans residential, SMB, and multifamily sectors, with a focus on how connected technologies are transforming customer engagement, service delivery, and revenue strategies. Jennifer helps companies identify where growth is coming from and how to capture it through data-driven insights on consumer behavior, technology adoption, and ecosystem expansion.

Parks Associates mission is to help companies navigate the changing consumer technology landscapes through data-driven market insights, extensive consumer and industry intelligence, and executive conferences. With over two decades of dedication to the company, Elizabeth Parks, President and Chief Marketing Officer, has been instrumental in shaping its growth and success, along with the continued focus of delivering timely and quality industry and consumer insights on the broadband, entertainment, connected home and SMB industries. Elizabeth's commitment to Parks Associates' overarching mission is unwavering. Parks Associates provides clients with the most comprehensive consumer and industry research and analysis to empower businesses to make informed decisions in an ever-evolving landscape. Elizabeth's journey with Parks Associates began after graduating with a BA in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Plano Texas with her husband and three children.