Alt-Bionics Team
Ryan Saavedra
CEO & Founder
CEO and Founder of Alt-Bionics, Ryan holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Texas at San Antonio with a dual focus in Control Systems and Electromyographic Interfaces. Alt-Bionics is the realization of his vision for a brighter, technologically centered future. Ryan has spent over eight years immersed in the bionics sector and has a strong understanding of the industry's nuances and potential. He has melded his technical expertise with a passion for harnessing technology to improve the lives of others. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys rock climbing, tinkering, cooking, and watching movies.
Jackson Heinz
Co-Founder - CTO
BS Mechanical Engineering from Ohio State, MS Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology with a focus in research of flexible/wearable electronics, 7 years’ experience at Air Force Research Laboratory providing materials and manufacturing and structural analysis support to current and future aerospace platforms. Jackson directs the company’s long term technology strategy, guiding product architecture, research, and engineering decisions to ensure Alt-Bionics stays ahead in capability, reliability, and scalability. Outside of work, Jackson enjoys playing guitar, golfing, and playing pickleball.
Samuel Woolfolk
Co-Founder - Chief Engineer
Samuel Woolfolk holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from ACU in Albuquerque, NM. Sam previously worked for over ten years as a consultant for several fortune 100 companies performing manufacturing optimization, troubleshooting, instrumentation, FEA, and design work for the Aerospace, Defense, and Automotive sectors. Sam leads all engineering efforts at Alt-Bionics, overseeing mecahnical, hardware, electronics, and software development to ensure our bionic hands meet performance, reliability, and scalability goals. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, hunting, and exploring his hometown of Alaska.
Judith Colon
Co-Founder - CFO
Judith holds a BA in Economics from Trinity College, an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, an MA from Columbia University, and is a Harvard Business Analytics Graduate. With over 15 years at the helm of rehabilitation centers catering to trauma victims, and 15 years of experience in international banking, she understands the profound impact of medical interventions and leverages this experience to lead financial operations at Alt-Bionics. When she is not working, Judith enjoys boating, golf, travel and spending time with her family.
Jason Beens
Chief Electrical Engineer
Jason holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and is an IEEE Senior Member. With over 25 years of experience in technology startups, Jason brings deep expertise in advanced circuit design, embedded systems, and design for harsh environments to Alt-Bionics. His experience developing miniaturized electronics for wearable devices and establishing quality processes directly supports Alt-Bionics' mission to create reliable and affordable bionic hands. Jason holds multiple patents including antenna design and medical devices. In his spare time, Jason enjoys amateur radio (call sign AE5KR), outdoor activities, and exploring new technologies.
Rita Saavedra
Operations Manager
Rita holds a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Prior to working at Alt-Bionics Rita spent 36 years at USAA, one of the largest financial services organizations in the United States, serving millions of military members and their families. Throughout her career, she held senior leadership roles in project and program management, career development, and operational strategy, working closely with corporate executives to drive organizational effectiveness and strategic initiatives. She supported senior leaders in the Investment company, the Finance and Operations offices, and she served on the planning support team for USAA’s CEO and Board of Directors. At Alt-Bionics, she continues in a similar capacity, providing executive-level operational and planning support across the organization. Outside of Alt-Bionics, Rita enjoys attending live music events and also still performs piano regularly as an accompanist at local universities and a church in Fredericksburg, Tx.
Caitleen Petit
Quality Engineer
Caitleen graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Arkansas. Having previously developed prosthetic devices for animals, Caitleen brings her expertise and passion for prosthetics to her work at Alt-Bionics. Caitleen is responsible for overseeing product development, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and technical documentation. In her spare time, Caitleen enjoys exploring the outdoors with her dog Loki, discovering new restaurants, traveling, baking, reading, and uncovering the hidden gems of SA in her spare time.
Mauricio Figueroa
Jr. Electrical Engineer
Mauricio holds a M.S. in Electrical Engineering with a focus in Controls from the University of Texas at San Antonio, specializing in reinforcement learning, robotics, and system integration. With a background in software development, he has created simulation environments, real-time localization algorithms, and integrated control systems across a range of platforms. Mauricio brings extensive experience in research and development and is currently working on obtaining his PhD. Outside of work, he enjoys bouldering, and diving into R&D for personal side projects.
Jacob Williams
Engineering Support Specialist
Jacob holds a B.B.A. in Cybersecurity and has a background rooted in construction, having managed state projects and worked as an estimator in a previous role. Along the way, he developed custom software to streamline estimating workflows and boost efficiency. With hands-on experience in hobbyist CAD, machine maintenance, and troubleshooting, Jacob brings a practical mindset and a wide skill set. In his downtime, he enjoys rock climbing and working on coding projects.