Meet the Team

The entire Avatar Engineering team is here to support your needs.  We
strive to be proactive and to communicate with you during all aspects of
your projects.

Below is our Management Team:

Derek Stokes

Client Solutions Manager
Customer Engineering and Sales Support
Been with Avatar since May 2010

DerekS@Avatar-Eng.com

Derek Stokes

Client Solutions Manager
Customer Engineering and Sales Support
Been with Avatar since May 2010

DerekS@Avatar-Eng.com

For over 13 years, Derek has provided electronic solutions to both large and small OEM customers across the United States.  Through the introduction and development of new hardware and software innovations, he has helped numerous industrial companies develop a competitive edge by directly interacting with their engineering and marketing staff.  Derek has earned his B.S.E.E. and has progressed towards the completion of M.S.I.E.  He has worked for numerous semiconductor manufacturers as a Field Applications Engineer and has advanced expertise in microcontrollers, LCD and touch technology implementations.  Derek‘s primary role at Avatar is to provide solutions to clients through the technical stages of concept, innovation and product solutions development.

In his spare time, Derek is a Cubmaster for his sons’ Cub Scout Pack and enjoys building and playing guitars.

Jack Ward

President and CEO
Founded Avatar in April 1999

JackW@Avatar-Eng.com

Jack Ward

President and CEO
Founded Avatar in April 1999

JackW@Avatar-Eng.com

Industrial Instrumentation and Controls as Sales and Sales Manager for distribution of worldwide manufacturer. Pharmecutical, semiconductor, laboratory, power, oil/gas, national lab R&D, industrial OEM, system concept, design, component selection, assembly and start-up. Especially strong in the operational and functionality stages of application engineering as liason between customer and project execution. 25 years, striving for constant pursuit of continuous improvement, customer presentation and retention, quality systems and operational business systems. Jack is a lifetime Kansas City area resident has five children. Nancy, his wife is a residential real estate agent. Jack's interests include his children, prairie preservation, pilot license, golf and tennis.

Mark Bartlett

Senior Design Engineer
PCB Design and Layout
Been with Avatar since May 2004

MarkB@Avatar-Eng.com

Mark Bartlett

Senior Design Engineer
PCB Design and Layout
Been with Avatar since May 2004

MarkB@Avatar-Eng.com

In his over 20 years of engineering experience, Mark has been responsible for the design and manufacture of products used in numerous industries such as transportation, public safety, hand-held electronics, vitally safe and miniature electronics. His Mechanical and PCB Design expertise includes extensive knowledge Design for Manufacturing, Fabrication and Test processes.  He has won several PCB Design awards and is an IPC certified PCB Designer.

In his sparetime Mark, his wife and 3 children enjoy camping, fishing and sports.

Diane (Forbes) Knoche

Director of Manufacturing/Quality
Customer Coordination
Been with Avatar since April 2000

DianeF@Avatar-Eng.com

Diane (Forbes) Knoche

Director of Manufacturing/Quality
Customer Coordination
Been with Avatar since April 2000

DianeF@Avatar-Eng.com

Diane’s 25+ years of office administration and management experience coupled with her history of successful business ventures proved instrumental during her initial years with Avatar. Her expertise with and ease of learning software programs, including database design, allowed her to establish systems integral to the organization and implementation of processes at Avatar. In 2008, Diane moved into her current position, where her unique talent for developing and establishing systems is benefitting the Manufacturing division.

On a personal note, Diane enjoys square dancing, motorcycle riding, reading, and various creative endeavors.

Avatar Engineering Associates

Contact Us

  Sales@avatar-eng.com  
  14360 W. 96th Terrace Lenexa, KS 66215  
  913.897.3294 913.897.6757
We design, build and support your product from beginning to end.