PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PacStar, a leading developer and supplier of tactical and enterprise advanced communications solutions, today announced that CEO Peggy Miller will receive the 2020 Sam Blackman Award at the Oregon Technology Awards to be hosted virtually today from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Formerly known as the Technology Executive of the Year award, the Sam Blackman Award is named for AWS Elemental founder and 2015 Technology Executive of the Year, Sam Blackman, who passed away in August 2017. The award from the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) recognizes executives of Oregon and Southwest Washington technology companies for excellence in industry leadership as well as positive impact in the greater community.
“We are thrilled to recognize Peggy for her strategic direction of PacStar as well as her work in stimulating the interest of youth in STEM careers, in particular inspiring girls and young women to enter the field of cybersecurity,” said Skip Newberry, TAO President and CEO. “Throughout her career, Peggy has demonstrated impressive vision and leadership as a technology executive, entrepreneur and in her role as CEO of PacStar where she has led the company’s emergence as a regional powerhouse."
Under Miller’s direction, PacStar has established itself as an industry leader in tactical communications hardware, software and integrated solutions. The company’s innovative products have won 10 major program of record awards from the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines. In 2019, the U.S. Army announced it was fielding PacStar’s Secure Wireless Command Post (SWCP) and the Marines adopted SWCP for its wireless handheld device program, resulting in estimated new revenues over the next five to seven years totaling $300 million, bringing new high-wage manufacturing jobs to Oregon.
Miller also led a major recapitalization of PacStar completed in 2018. The firm’s longtime venture capital investors’ shares were repurchased and Endeavour Capital, a prominent Portland, Oregon, private equity fund, took a leading position. This recapitalization has positioned PacStar for continued growth and expansion.
“It is a great honor to be recognized by the Technology Association of Oregon and I couldn’t be prouder of what our team at PacStar has accomplished over the past decade,” said Miller. “The innovation and dedication across all of the PacStar team is truly what has fueled the success of our organization and has positioned us for continued success.”
Due to the potential for a resurgence of COVID cases in the Fall, the Technology Association of Oregon has made the decision to host its 36th Annual Oregon Technology Awards virtually. To create an engaging experience online, the Awards Ceremony will be streamed live at 3:30 p.m. today.
About PacStar
Pacific Star Communications, Inc. (PacStar) is a leading provider of advanced communications solutions for a wide range of military, intelligence and commercial applications. PacStar created and manufactures COTS-based rugged, small form factor expeditionary and mobile communications systems. Separately, it developed integrated, network communications management software, IQ-Core® Software, for the military, federal, state/local government and emergency responder markets. The company’s patented IQ-Core® Software, hardware technology and integrated solutions provide secure, command, control and communications systems, particularly in remote or infrastructure starved areas. In addition, PacStar’s communications systems are ideally suited for commercial/industrial organizations with mission-critical field communications requirements. For additional information, please visit https://pacstar.com, LinkedIn and Twitter @pacstarcomm.