Tad Ihns

Tad Ihns is a prominent entrepreneur and the founder of Avalex Technologies Corporation, which he established in 1992. Based in Gulf Breeze, Florida, Avalex specializes in designing and manufacturing special mission avionics for military and law enforcement applications. Under his leadership, the company has developed a diverse product line and expanded significantly, employing over 70 individuals as of recent reports.12

Ihns's background includes a degree in computer science from the University of West Florida. His passion for aviation, combined with his experience in the IT sector, inspired him to create Avalex Technologies. He has expressed a commitment to fostering the tech sector in Northwest Florida, emphasizing the importance of building a critical mass of talent and opportunities in the region.145

In addition to his role at Avalex, Ihns has recently joined the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) as a Senior Research Scientist, where he collaborates on innovative projects. Following Avalex's acquisition by Mercury Systems in 2021, he transitioned to serve as Chief Technologist at Mercury, focusing on developing advanced avionics solutions.23