Mark Pecen

Mark Pecen
Senior Vice President, Research and Development
 
Mark Pecen serves as Senior Vice President, Research and Development for Blackberry, formerly Research in Motion Limited (RIM), makers of the BlackBerry wireless devices, systems and services. He reports to RIM CEO and founder Mike Lazaridis and is responsible for RIM’s Advanced Technology Research Centre and wireless technology strategy.
 
Pecen established RIM’s Research Centre in 2005.  The centre’s focus is wireless communication research, including all aspects from radio frequency hardware and antennas to core network technology and wireless-specific services. Topics include signal processing, information theory, cryptography, audio/video codecs, data compression, radio system protocols, mobility control, electromagnetics, advanced services and application platforms, prototyping of hardware and software, new technology trials.  The research centre also provides analysis, simulation and innovative solutions for development and production groups within RIM.
 
He has invented a number of technologies adopted in global standards, including the Global System for Mobile Telecommunication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), 4th Generation Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and others.
 
Pecen represents Research In Motion to industry and academic organizations, and serves as an advisor to Canadian government on wireless communication and research.  He holds board positions on 4G Americas, École Polytechnique, Wilfred Laurier University School of Business, Quantum Works academic network for quantum information research, Canadian Digital Media Network, the Communication Research Centre (CRC) of Industry Canada and others.
 
As a veteran of the wireless industry, he holds more than 100 fundamental patents in areas of mobile communication, networking and computing, and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
 
Board positions: 
  • Dean’s Board, School of Business and Economics of Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
  • Chair, Board of Directors, QuantumWorks, pan-Canadian academic network for quantum information research
  • Board of Directors of École Polytechnique Centre de Recherche En Électronique Radiofréquence (CREER), Montréal, Canada
  • Board of Advisors, Communication Research Centre (CRC), a Canadian government agency of Industry Canada, and Chair of CRC Terrestrial Wireless Board Sub-Committee
  • Board of Governors, 4G Americas
  • Board of advisors, Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN)
  • ICT advisory board, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)
  • Vice Chair, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, Kitchener, Ontario
About Blackberry / Research In Motion
 
Blackberry / Research In Motion Limited is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless data solutions. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers around the world to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products includes the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, the BlackBerry wireless email solution, embedded radio-modems and software development tools. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in Canada, the United States and England. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM). For more information, visit: www.rim.net. Investors may contact investor_relations@rim.net. Customers may contact info@rim.net.