James de Broekert: Engineering Hall of Fame - 2008

James de Broekert has made major contributions to national security over a career that spans more than 50 years. After graduating from OSU, he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford, where he worked as a research engineer and lecturer at the Systems Techniques Laboratory from 1955 to 1959. He was a founding member of three companies: Argo Systems, where he was vice president from 1969-1976; Signal Science, Inc., where he was vice president from 1976-1978; and, Advent Systems, where he served in various roles, including chairman of the board, from 1978-2005.

De Broekert is currently an Intelligence Solutions Senior Scientist for NID Group of L-3 Communications. He was recognized by the National Reconnaissance Office in 2000, as a “pioneer” for his role in the “establishment of the discipline of national space reconnaissance 40 years ago.” This pioneering work was top-secret and involved the development of technology used to gather military intelligence via satellite.