MicroPower names Jim Brailean and Kevin Hell to its Board

Kevin Hell, new chairman of MicroPower Technologies

MicroPower Technologies, Inc., a provider of surveillance solutions, announced on Jan. 31 that it has appointed Jim Brailean, currently the CEO of PacketVideo, and Kevin Hell, currently the chairman of EvoNexus, to MicroPower’s Board of Directors.

Hell will assume the role of chairman of MicroPower Technologies. The addition of the new Board members follows the closing of the company’s $6.5-million Series C funding round, which was led by Motorola Solutions Venture Capital and an undisclosed private fund. 

Brailean, who is the CEO of PacketVideo, holds 16 U.S. patents in the areas of video compression and video-based solutions. He received his doctorate of philosophy in electrical engineering from Northwestern University, an M.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

"The surveillance industry continues to grow at a high rate and MicroPower develops unique technology that is poised to take advantage of the rapidly growing market opportunity,” said Brailean "Its product suite and the company’s experienced leadership team make it an ideal candidate for growth-stage investment."

Hell is the current Chairman of the Board of EvoNexus, a technology incubator, and Pixon Imaging. He also serves as on the Board of CommNexus, Holdfree and Perminova. Hell formerly served as CEO of DivX and joined the Board of Sonic Solutions when DivX was acquired by the company in 2010.

He also held the role of senior vice president of product management for Palm, Inc.’s solutions group. He received an M.B.A. in finance and management from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.S. and B.S. in engineering from Stanford University.

“MicroPower has emerged as a leader in outdoor surveillance systems, and the company’s execution on its products and services is impressive,” Hell said. “MicroPower is ideally positioned to capture a significant share of the IP surveillance market in the coming years. Its unique technology and simple installation enables cost-effective surveillance solutions for remote locations such as borders, pipelines and commercial installations.”

Mel Gaceta, investment manager for Motorola Solutions Venture Capital, also joins MicroPower’s Board as an observer. Overall, the new appointments boost MicroPower Technologies’ leadership position in the delivery of wireless IP video surveillance systems that redefine the economics of traditional outdoor surveillance deployments, says a news release issued by MicroPower on Jan. 31.

“We are extremely excited to expand the perspective and experience of our Board of Directors,” said Jonathan Siann, founder and CEO of MicroPower Technologies. “The valuable support of these respected business leaders along with substantial investor backing helps us further expand upon our product suite and capitalize on new business opportunities.”