In November, 1994, Dr. Rand sold the manufacturing facilities of the former Winzen International, Inc., and formed a new company dedicated to engineering design, analysis, and research in inflatable vehicles and materials. For the last 10 years, he has directed the efforts to provide a more reliable material and balloon design for various applications including the Ultra Long Duration Balloon for both terrestrial and planetary missions.

PROFESSIONAL CHRONOLOGY: Active duty USAF, 1954-58; Instructor, Aeronautical Engineering, University of Maryland, 1961; Research Engineer, U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory, White Oak, Maryland, 1961-68; Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1968-79; Southwest Research Institute, 1979-83 (Staff Engineer, Department of Energetic Systems, 1979-81; Manager, Dynamic Analysis Section, 1981-83); Winzen International, Inc., (President and Chief Executive Officer, 1985-1994; Chairman, 1988-1994); Winzen Engineering, Inc., President, 1994-Present.

MEMBERSHIPS: Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; American Society for Engineering Education; National Society of Professional Engineers; Texas Society of Professional Engineers; Society of Plastics Engineers; Member of the Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics Departmental Visitors Committee, University of Texas - Austin, 1997-2000 ; Sigma Xi; Phi Kappa Phi; Sigma Gamma Tau; Tau Beta Pi; Registered Professional Engineer, Member of the Aerospace Engineering Advisory Board, Texas A&M University, 1999-Present.