Mohsen Banan is a recognized expert in the design and implementation of distributed systems, especially message handling and mobile data networks. He is particularly well-known for his expertise in data communications, telecommunications and wireless protocols.

Mr. Banan’s career in data communications and Unix began in the early 1980s. He was one of the seven software engineers who developed Retix’s core technology in 1986. Prior to 1991 he worked as an engineer and manager for nine different companies, including Teknekron, InterConnections, Cellular Technical Services and Boeing. Mr. Banan founded Neda in 1991 and has been its President up to the present.

From 1992 to 1995 Mr. Banan led the technical network architecture design for the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) specifications. He played a key role in the formation and direction of the CDPD industry. He was also directly involved in many aspects of the planning, development and deployment of the CDPD network services.

Mr. Banan has a large body of publications. His recent publications include RFC-2524, RFC-2188, The LEAP Manifesto, and Internetwork Mobility, published by Prentice-Hall.

Mr. Banan is also responsible for a large amount of Open-Source and free software, most of which is in the form of highly portable and efficient protocol engine implementations. He has 20 years of experience encompassing all major aspects of Unix: device drivers, systems programming, systems administration, application programming and user interfaces.

Mr. Banan has a long track record of participation in standards related activities. Over the years he has participated in various activities of NIST-OIW and CTIA, and he is an active participant in various IETF activities. He is also the founder of the Free Protocols Foundation.

Mr. Banan’s latest crusade is to make the Lightweight & Efficient Application Protocols (LEAP) widespread and the mainstay of the industry. His combination of technical expertise, visionary thinking and business experience makes Mr. Banan a unique asset to such an ambitious industry-building venture.

Mr. Banan holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering (Magna Cum Laude) from Seattle University and an MS degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Washington.