Who we are

Alex is an internationally recognized expert in off-road automation control systems architecture. He worked for John Deere 18 years rising in a variety of roles from senior systems engineer and automation developer, to director of technology and finally to lead architect in the automation to autonomy initiative. Since Deere, Alex has taken a leadership role at Balanced Engineering focusing on automation architectures, importantly including managing the processes of developing them.​

Other than his role in BalancedEngineering, he has been actively involved with automation and innovation for agriculture and aviation, see his linked profile for more specifics of his other roles.

Alex obtained his PhD in Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University.

Rick is an international leader in the safety of off-road automation control systems and electrification. He worked for John Deere 21 years rising in a variety of roles from embedded systems engineer to corporate manager of safety and standards for new technology. Recently, Rick has taken a leadership role at Balanced Engineering focusing on automation and electrification safety, using his talents to help manufacturers early in the process of developing new technology to ensure safety improving solutions are brought to market most efficiently and with confidence.

Other than his role in Balanced Engineering, he has been actively involved with automation and innovation for agriculture and construction, see his linked profile for more specifics of his other roles.

Rick remains active in technical leadership in ISO standards development for earthmoving and agricultural machinery​.

Rick obtained his BSEE in electrical engineering at the University of Iowa and BA Engineering Loras College.

Ernie has over 35 years’ experience in the development of electronic systems, for Diesel engines while at Cummins and off-road equipment while at John Deere. He has led the development of hardware architecture for numerous controllers and sensors. Pioneering work was completed for electronic controls on heavy-duty and off-highway Diesel engines. At John Deere this also included the development and certification of sensors and controller hardware for a steer by wire system. He led the deployment of a common hardware controller architecture across John Deere. See his linked in profile for specifics.

Ernie has BS Ag Eng. From the University of Illinois and MS Ag Eng. and MSEE from Purdue University.

John has over 30 years’ experience applying computer engineering at John Deere. The last seven years have been devoted to embedded product security, both at Deere and DG Technologies. He led the architecture of Deere’s next generation embedded product security – both the controllers and the network communication. He is active in creating Secure CAN for SAE (J1939-91).

John has BS Computer Eng. From Iowa State University, a MS Computer Science and Eng. from Pennsylvania State University, an MBA from the University of Iowa, and ME Information Assurance from Iowa State University.

Anita worked for 20 years in operations environmental management and product compliance at John Deere. ​