In fewer than three years, Panama City-based RSAE Labs has become a leader in the development of tracking devices that provide security for commercial and military shipping containers.

The company was recently recognized as the “Innovation Company of 2017” by the Business Innovation Center, a Panama City-based non-profit.

RSAE’s wireless sensors collect and transmit real-time data, monitoring fuel and water consumption, shipments of munitions, aircraft components and other high-value civilian and military goods.

Started in 2015 by CEO Randall Shepard, RSAE has some 2,000 portable sensors that recognize thousands of Customs regulations and business rules worldwide.

The company has grown rapidly over the past several years and recently licensed key intellectual properties to the U.S. government as the basis for a new generation of “sense-and-respond” logistic tracking devices. The company also has been issued 13 U.S. patents for its devices and technologies.

In addition to RSAE’s Panama City headquarters, the company has offices in Colorado and California and a software and engineering team in Armenia.

Business Briefs

BAY COUNTY — DeTect has installed its radar system, which detects drones and birds that could pose a hazard to aircraft, at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Parker McClellan, the airport’s executive director, says he believes it is the only detection system of its kind at a U.S. airport.

CHIPLEY — Washington County commissioners say they will join several other northwest Florida cities and counties in suing distributors and manufacturers of opioids. State data show that in 2016 there were 124.7 prescriptions written per 100 residents in Washington County, one of the highest ratios in the state.

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Commission has approved an amendment to its comprehensive plan that would allow, if approved by the state, development of 689 acres for residential housing. The land, known as the Yellow River Plantation, is owned by Henry Company Homes, based in the Pace community, near Pensacola.

PENSACOLA — Developer Bobby Switzer’s multimillion-dollar One Palafox Place development reached a milestone recently with the opening of a 10,000-sq.-ft. co-work annex and a new retail breezeway that cuts through the century-old Brent building on Palafox Street. The breezeway now houses several retailers, including a custom furniture store, bakery and coffee shop.

PERRY — The Perry City Council has voted against allowing medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in the city.

TALLAHASSEE — Tallahassee’s City Commission has approved U-Haul’s rezoning request to build an 85,000-sq.-ft. “smart mobility center” in converted vacant buildings on Tallahassee’s west side. The development encompasses about 24 acres near Capital Circle Northwest and Tennessee Street and also would include up to 150,000 square feet for a showroom and mini warehouses.

Players

• â-ºCori Henderson, formerly with Enterprise Florida, is Triumph Gulf Coast’s new program administrator. Triumph Chairman and former Senate President Don Gaetz says Henderson’s background in economic development and skills in creating business plans were key factors in her winning the job. Triumph is the non-profit foundation created to oversee the distribution of $1.5 billion in funds recovered by the Florida attorney general for economic damages that resulted from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

 

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