Daniel M. Mahoney Jr.
Executive | Board Member

Dan Mahoney is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the semiconductor and solid state storage industries. Early in his career he held a series of increasingly responsible marketing and sales management positions at Fairchild, National, Cypress and Hitachi Semiconductor. Between 2002 and 2012, he served as the CEO of Renesas Electronics America (comprised of the semiconductor businesses of Hitachi, Mitsubishi and NEC). In 2012 Dan became CEO of Fastor Systems, an innovative Solid State Drive (SSD) start-up. He led fund raising, the development of the company’s NVMe SSD and the sale of the company to SMART High Reliability Solutions, LLC in 2015, where he remained through 2016. Dan is Chairman of the Advisory Board of Gonzaga University’s School of Professional Studies in Spokane, WA. He is also an adjunct professor at Whitworth University’s Graduate School of Business in Spokane, WA. Dan is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY and served as an Army Officer for five years.

Richard Nickson
VP of Domestic Sales, Linear Technology, Inc. | Board Member

Richard is responsible for all sales for the North American market. With over 30 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, Mr. Nickson held various sales management positions at Linear Technology including European Sales Director and Northwest Area Sales Manager. From April 1991 to August 1993, he was President and Co-founder of Focus Technical Sales. From August 1983 to April 1991, he served with National in various positions where his most recent position was Vice President of North American Sales. Mr. Nickson was Founder and President of Micro-Tex, Inc. from June 1980 to August 1983. Richard received a B.S. in Mathematics from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1971.

Ron Swidler
Advisory Board Member

With a passion for pioneering ideas and new approaches to hospitality experiences, Ron serves as the leader of the branding team at The Gettys Group, an award winning global hospitality design firm specializing in interior design, consulting, branding & procurement. Ron directs the research, strategy, design and experience pull-through for projects ranging from restaurants and bars, to boutique properties, events and international brands. A collaborative and an innovative thinker, Ron has shaped hundreds of hotel, resort and brand initiatives during his nearly three decades with The Gettys Group. He is frequently asked to speak at industry events and has been quoted in numerous publications featuring his hospitality, design and branding expertise. Ron is affiliated with the Advisory Boards at Kendall College, DePaul University, and NHTV Breda University, Netherlands, Driehaus College of Business, Chicago. In addition, Ron serves as a guest practitioner at Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France, EM Lyon in Shanghai and Stavanger, Norway as well as Haaga Helia University in Helsinki, Finland.

Christian Schnyder
Owner/Principal

Owner and Principal Christian Schnyder has more than 30 years of experience as a design director and interior designer for world-renown hospitality, restaurant and high-end residential projects. Prior to Beleco, he served as a Principal designer at an award-winning Los Angeles design firm. His solid architectural roots, down-to-earth demeanor and passion for uniting people through design make him a truly effective leader and sought-after collaborator. Christian has an M.A. in Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and a B.A. in Architecture and Interior Design from his native country of Switzerland.

Ryan Nolan
Art Director, Brilliant Lighting Studio

Ryan brings a blend of expertise to Brilliant that ranges from architectural and environmental graphics to product and fixture design. Collaborating with the ALVA team, Ryan contributes a dynamic voice to the process by incorporating a wide range of experience with backgrounds in high-rise residential, corporate campuses, mixed-use retail and theme-park design. These creative talents strengthen the team and helps to lead the design direction of the studio.

Michael Babb
Director of Engineering

Michael began designing with white LEDs as a student at Cal Poly Pomona shortly after their market introduction. Over the following 10 years, Michael established himself as a leading expert in the development of complete LED lighting systems. Michael has worked with several leading lighting companies as an independent consultant as well as working with Electro-Tech, a contract manufacturer in Corona, CA. As Director of Engineering, Michael is responsible for all electronic design for ALVA’s products. Outside of work, Michael is an avid outdoorsman when he’s not spending time with his daughter.