Rip Hanks
Rip Hanks is Founder & President/CEO of
Centerpin Technology, Inc.

Rip Hanks is founder and President/CEO of Centerpin Technology, Inc. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1985 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Advertising. In 1987, Mr Hanks started Hanks & Tully Advertising and served as President/CEO. After selling his interest in Hanks & Tully, he joined Soundview Media as Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

In 1995, Mr Hanks started Centerpin Technology, Inc. with one U.S. patent. Since that time, he has been instrumental in growing the patent portfolio to 17 U.S. and numerous foreign patents. In addition to being an inventor, Mr Hanks manages the company's intellectual property, strategic partnerships and licensing. His business relationships include 3M, Air Force Special Operations and the White House Communications Department. In the consumer electronics industry, he has licensed numerous products that are currently being sold under the RCA, GE and Acoustic Research Brands.

Mr. Hanks is serving his sixth term on the Consumers Electronics Association Accessories Board serving as Vice Chairman and the Small Business Council in which he is a member of the Expert Mentoring Program, advising in the areas of patents and licensing. Mr. Hanks was the presenter of a web cast forum sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association in 2003. The subject was intellectual properties and was entitled 'Little Guy in the World of Giants'. He has been featured in the 2005 Inventors Guidebook, Florida Trend, Vision, Dealerscope and NW Florida Business Climate Magazine.