A familiar face to our tech community has returned and, frankly, it’s a great time for it.
I don’t remember when I first ran into Chester Kennedy, an executive for Lockheed Martin while I was the Orlando Sentinel’s tech reporter. I do, however, remember how cordial, straightforward and accessible he was when we did chat.
For that, alone, it would be exciting news to see him returning from just a news perspective.
However, that he’s bringing LocatorX’s headquarters to Kissimmee has the potential to be even more game-changing than it appears on the surface.
As we reported yesterday, the supply chain tech company will set up shop at NeoCity in Kissimmee after years elsewhere.
The fast-growing research, innovation and education community has had some great successes of late, including landing some significant funding through a large-scale, multi-year grant from the NSF.
But the official tenants in the community, while impactful, remained relatively scarce. My assumption has been that they are growing deliberately in an effort to establish themselves in their specific niche, which would be a smart move.
You don’t dominate a high-profile but relatively new niche like sensors by letting just anyone bring their operations under your umbrella.
But LocatorX, the region’s leaders concluded, wasn’t just anyone.
They rolled out the red carpet because the company has been innovating in the field of Internet of Things sensors and supply chain data, which both fall right in line with NeoCity.
I’m sure Kennedy’s involvement helped that deal come through, as well.
Kennedy connection to the region became stronger after he left Lockheed, as he served as BRIDG CEO before current CEO Jay Galbraith.
In the company’s press release, BRIDG CEO Galbraith credited that NSF grant with leading to the move.
As we step into this new year, one thing to keep a close eye on is the growth and emergence of Kissimmee as a national leader.
I know that’s definitely something I plan to track for the next 12 months.
Bringing Kennedy back into the fold marks a great first big move of 2025.