Roy Nichols is nationally known for his expertise in optical sensors and their functional performance. He has more than 35 years experience in defense technologies, including systems engineering, optical and radar sensors, signal and data processing, discrimination and tracking, countermeasures, and advanced simulations. Mr. Nichols is Vice Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Nichols Research, a prominent research and development firm specializing in sensor, missile, and information systems recently sold to Computer Sciences Corporation.

Under Mr. Nichols' technical leadership, Nichols Research has grown to 40 locations throughout the United States with approximately 2,900 employees and revenues of $427M in 1998. During the past ten years, Nichols Research has been ranked as one of the top 100 RDT&E contractors, and has received national recognition in Forbes, Fortune, and Business Week as one of the best small companies in the United States.

Mr. Nichols earned BS and MS degrees in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1961 and 1966 respectively. He was awarded an honorary PhD in Science from the University of Alabama in 1994. Between 1958 and 1969 Mr. Nichols was a research engineer and supervisor at the University of Michigan's Infrared Physics Laboratory where he was responsible for coordinating research in the optical observables of ballistic targets. He had both line and program management responsibilities for key DARPA programs, including involvement with the AMOS observatory conceptualization and development. Before helping to start Nichols research, he developed and headed the Discrimination and Data Processing Department at McDonnell Douglas. As Chief Engineer, he had both line and program management responsibilities and received several corporate awards.

Besides Nichols Research, Mr. Nichols serves on the Board of Directors of ADTRAN, as a member of the Army Science Board, on the Executive Committee of the Alabama Family Alliance, and as a prominent member of the Alabama Space and Science Exhibits Commission. He was one of very few members of this latter group to be asked to remain a member by Governor Seigleman following the recent troubles at the Space and Rocket Center. He is a current and past member of numerous search and advisory committees at UAH, and also played a role in development of UAH's Optics Center.

Mr. Nichols has also been very active in Community Affairs, serving as an Elder and Chairman of the CE at Covenant Presbyterian Church, as Vice President of Huntsville Botanical Gardens and Chairman of the Botanical Garden Foundation. He has also served as chair of the Vocational Service Committee of the Rotary Club, as a Member of the University of Alabama Foundation Coalition, and as an Olympic Torch Runner in 1996. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Randolph School and as Chair of the Education Committee of the Huntsville Committee of 100.