OTS R&D, Inc. stems from Optimized Thermal Systems, Inc., a company originally founded in 2002 by Dr. Reinhard Radermacher and his colleagues at the University of Maryland. Reinhard had a vision to bridge the gap between academia and industry, making novel solutions and specialized consulting support accessible through both fundamental research at the university and targeted design support at the company.

Reinhard was a visionary leader, a passionate teacher and a compassionate mentor. He invited his colleagues at OTS R&D into the world he built and generously shared his gifts with the team, our clients, and our collaborators. He was brilliant, curious, inspiring, and patient. Without his initiative, persistence, and vision, we simply would not be where we are today.

Reinhard was progressive not only in his research and drive for energy efficiency, but in his business practices and policies. His commitment to building a lasting company with fair and equitable practices nurtured a small team to steadily grow, gaining momentum and strength under his guidance. His support for employee ownership and his selflessness allowed OTS R&D to be successfully formed as an employee owned cooperative.

With an intense optimism of how technology could shape the future of energy systems, Reinhard was eager to offer his knowledge and ideas when consulted. He built a great many things throughout his career and was hopeful that he would leave a lasting legacy; a legacy that would forever pursue novel technology to reduce energy consumption and harmful impacts on our environment.

But he also leaves a legacy of valuing thoughtful work, supporting your peers, and mentoring those seeking to learn. It is in these things that we not only achieve our technical goals but have the greatest impact on our society.

We are grateful to have known him, to have learned from him, to have worked alongside him, to have brainstormed and created with him. We are comforted by the fact that every day we can see his knowledge, perspective, figures of speech, ways of seeing and thinking live on in all the members of the OTS R&D team.

We shall strive to honor him and his legacy in all that we do.