With more than 15 years of experience in the field of information technology, Peter Gerdes represents a strong combination of interest and experience in both the natural sciences and technology. After Peter’s father, Lee, began experimenting with Brainwave Optimization on himself, he turned to his son, who had left college and was experiencing a sense of chaos so many young adults do. With not-so-subtle encouragement from his dad, Lee and Peter began designing and testing protocol that would soon become Brain State Technologies.

Completing his own series of intensive brain training sessions, Peter was able to complete school and graduate on the dean’s list. Brainwave optimization increased his clarity of thought, leading him to apply what he had learned in the biological sciences and information technology to advance the work at Brain State.

Today, Peter is one of the main architects of the Brainwave Optimization™ system, continuously working with his father, the software development team, and other leading experts and researchers to usher in new applications that will improve the quality of life for those who suffer with brainwave imbalances.

Peter has a personal interest in the brain-body connection, having developed his own program of maximum performance in fitness and nutrition. He is passionate about making Brainwave Optimization available to athletes, executives and performers to enhance mental acuity and performance.

Peter graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and has completed advanced studies in microbiology, genetics, theoretical chemistry, molecular biology and accounting.  He also has a certificate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Developing and Managing a Successful Technology and Product Strategy. 

Peter was honored as a 2011 CIO of the Year by the Arizona Technology Council, honoring his leadership,  innovation and creativity in planning and deploying IT systems for Brain State Technologies.

As chief financial officer and executive vice president of business development, Bob Brilon is part of the Brain State Technologies® leadership team, helping execute the organization’s business strategy and managing financial aspects of the company's growth.

With a strong personal passion for bringing the benefits of Brainwave Optimization™ to the world, Bob will work to advance the brain fitness sector and grow the financial future of the company. Bob was introduced to Brainwave Optimization™ when a long-time business partner and friend was killed in a tragic car accident. His partner’s wife, who was a passenger in the car, was spared, but with a broken neck, traumatic brain Injury, problems sleeping and tremendous grief, she turned to Brain State Technologies® for relief. After six sessions and what she termed “a miracle,” she encouraged Bob to meet Brainwave Optimization™ creator Lee Gerdes. “Brain State offers a disruptive technology that is unique and desirable to the masses. Brainwave Optimization™ can improve the quality of life for millions of people in the years to come,” he said. 

Bob's corporate experience includes public and private entities of all sizes, from start-ups to those with more than $100 million in sales (including Go-Video, Duraswitch, and InPlay Technologies). Bob is experienced in licensing technologies worldwide from non-exclusive agreements to exclusive multi-million dollar transactions. He also has extensive experience in communicating a company’s value proposition to investors of all types.

Born in Keokuk, Iowa, Bob made his way to Arizona in 1983 after graduating from the University of Iowa.  Upon arrival in Phoenix, he worked as a CPA for Ernst & Young and then, Deloitte Touche. 

As the Marketing Director, Jonathan Bonghi leads Brain State Technologies® marketing and communications initiatives dedicated to spreading the word and answering questions about the specific benefits of Brainwave Optimization™. Jonathan interacts with the company’s various audiences, including clients, prospects, affiliates, and media to promote the organization and showcase its unique capabilities.

With a successful background in technology and a strong desire for helping people, Jonathan sought out Brain State Technologies® as a way of utilizing his talents for a very good purpose. He understands how much better the quality of life can be for those suffering from inflictions, ailments, and issues when they are able to take advantage of Brainwave Optimization™.

As a seasoned marketer, Jonathan has a long, successful track record of implementing strategies, launching technologies, cultivating relationships, and growing companies. During his career, he has founded several Interactive businesses, served as an executive at Interactive agencies, and consulted with many of the top Fortune 1000 and Software 500 firms.

Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Pennsylvania State University, and won a number of prestigious industry awards. He has also donated his time and efforts to non-profits such as Arthritis Foundation, Amber Alert, and The Arizona Center for the Blind.

As Director of Education for Brain State Technologies, Natalie Collins advances knowledge about how people can change their lives through optimal brain balance. She manages the intensive three-week training program that is available to those who become affiliates of Brain State Technologies. In the process, they also become certified brain trainers and certified neurofeedback technicians.

Natalie’s love of the classroom and her passion for making a difference in the world drew her to Brain State. An expert in non-traditional and adult learning, she previously managed education programs for Maricopa Community Colleges and Brookline College. Natalie also managed county-wide education and employment programs for at-risk youth in Flagstaff, Arizona. While there, she received the Excellence in Youth Leadership award from then Gov. Janet Napolitano. 

Natalie received her bachelor of science in criminal justice from Northern Arizona University.  She has also completed a graduate degree in criminal justice, where she studied drug addiction and the use of drug courts in various counties. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Grand Canyon University in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Effective Schools.

As a Certified Brainwave Technologist, Jeremy Fortenberry works with clients to help them meet their brain balancing goals. Using Brainwave Optimization with Real-Time Balancing™, Jeremy is able to create a brain assessment that will help clients understand their brain patterns and works with clients to develop and implement a brain training course of action.

As a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in exercise science and human nutrition, Jeremy’s longer-term career goal is to become a naturopathic physician. With several years of experience working in the health and wellness field, Jeremy comes to Brain State with a keen interest in how neuro-technology can be used to have a positive impact in their lives.

Cathy Guetzlaff is a software engineer working with the Brain State Technologies software design team to design, implement and test a variety of technologies and disciplines that deliver brain balancing procedures to clients.

Cathy has more than 30 years of experience in the software engineering field. Her work with leading technology companies like Cray Research, Vital Images and Lockheed Martin demonstrate her depth of experience. Cathy holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Wartburg College and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Minnesota.

With more than 16 years in sales and marketing, Scott Hauskins brings a unique ability to help individuals identify their goals and pursue their dreams. Helping others cultivate their passion for people and their entrepreneurial spirit, Scott has been able to introduce hundreds of people to the opportunity to become affiliated, independent operators of their own Brain State Technologies® enterprise.

As a member of the United States Navy, Scott proudly served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. A fourth-generation Arizonian, Scott is an avid outdoorsman and golfer.

As a Licensing Specialist for Brain State Technologies®, Brandon Jansen is enthusiastic about his opportunity to connect people with a chance to do work they love.

Having personally experienced Brainwave Optimization, Brandon was impressed with his own sense of increased clarity, motivation and athletic performance. After seeing the technology have such a positive effect on so many people, he was compelled to seek a position with Brain State in which he could help spread the word.

Graduating from East Carolina University with a biology degree, Brandon helped create and build a successful bass fishing lure business. He has also worked as a mortgage consultant and a residential and commercial realtor.

As a software engineer for Brain State Technologies, Kenneth Jones works with the software design team on a variety of technologies and disciplines that deliver brain balancing procedures to clients. Kenneth also uses data mining techniques to find patterns in client data.

Kenneth received his bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the University of Illinois and his master's degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin. His master's degree focused on machine learning and advanced artificial intelligence as well as cognitive neuroscience. Kenneth has nearly 10 years of experience in software engineering with companies such as Intel, Charles River Analytics and Management Ventures.

Sara Livingston is both the voice of Brain State® and the “front door.” In her role, she receives hundreds of questions and requests about the work of Brainwave Optimization. She greets clients and affiliates and helps connect them with the services they need. She also coordinates client schedules with the Scottsdale brain training center, helping clients prepare for their visit and providing follow-up support.

Upon graduating from Mount Royal College in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with a major in broadcast journalism, she took a position as a television news reporter. Later, she became Bookings Coordinator for the City of Calgary’s Recreation Department. She moved to Arizona several years ago and became intrigued by the work of Brain State due to a family history of depression.

As a Certified Brainwave Technologist, Julie McCabe works with clients to help them achieve brain balance and harmony. Through Brainwave Optimization with Real-Time Balancing™, she is able to support them in the quest to achieve their health and wellness goals.

A graduate of Clarkson University with a degree in biology, Julie has had a lifelong passion for learning, self-development and helping others.  For more than 20 years she has practiced a variety of alternative therapies with a wide range of clients seeking to add a holistic approach to healing.  Her personal experience of Brainwave Optimization for her own recovery from several health challenges has made her a passionate advocate of this gentle, non-invasive yet powerful method of supporting the body’s ability to return to a state of well-being.  Her work at Brain State Technologies allows her to continue her desire to assist others in finding their own optimum experience of life.

As a Network Support Engineer for Brain State Technologies, Elias Roman is responsible for network and application support to affiliates of Brain State Technologies. Elias is a seasoned technology professional with a diverse background in project management and client service delivery. Elias started in the telecommunications industry as a Lead Engineer for Nortel Networks and moved to the health care industry in recent years. Elias works with the network team to expand the continuously growing Brain State Technologies infrastructure.

Elias has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering Technology from the State University of New York at Utica. He lives in Phoenix with his wife and two sons.

As a Licensing Specialist, Emmanuelle Trefle assists individuals and organizations who want to make a difference in others' lives using Brainwave Optimization in their own business. She helps them identify their needs and objectives, and guides them throughout the process of becoming Brain State Technologies providers – an opportunity that can be very rewarding personally, professionally and financially. 

Emmanuelle is also a Certified Brainwave Technologist and works with clients to help them attain brain balance and harmony. Using Brainwave Optimization with Real-Time Balancing™, Emmanuelle is able to create a Brainwave Assessment that helps clients identify opportunities for improvement in their brainwave patterns and achieve optimal performance in different aspects of their lives.

After completing bachelor’s degrees from the Troyes Business School, France, and the Hogeschool Van Utrecht, the Netherlands, as well as working in international marketing and business development in Europe and the U.S., Emmanuelle quickly realized that she needed a deeper sense of mission in her work, one that would help others in a more meaningful way. She immersed herself into “human development” to become a Cognitive Therapist and Life Coach. Emmanuelle comes to Brain State Technologies with a strong interest in the power of the brain and human mind, and a passion for expressing each person’s full potential.