Jack joined Singer Sewing in the early 1970’s after transitioning from HRB Singer in State College, PA. He became the of Manager of the Electronics Design Department, where his team focused on developing an electronically controlled home sewing machine. His leadership and character made him a highly respected and beloved figure among his colleagues—many were eager to work under his guidance because of his exceptional managerial skills and personal warmth.
In 1982, Jack designed and built a highly efficient home in Far Hills, NJ. The house was engineered with sustainability in mind, featuring a glass atrium to maximize natural sunlight. As time passed, Singer embarked on several electronic projects, one of which involved designing a battery monitor for a single 12-volt lead acid battery. After acquiring the rights to the design from an outside source, the team began work on the project. Jack, however, had a bigger idea. He envisioned an online battery monitor capable of assessing the health of a 60-cell backup battery. His concept combined voltage and impedance measurement to monitor the battery’s performance. His team developed a prototype, which was tested at a facility in New Jersey. Manny Laidig, the Vice President of Engineering, saw potential in Jack’s project and had the foresight to continue its development. He founded a battery monitoring company, BTECH Inc., purchasing the patents from Singer. BTECH was officially formed in September 1989, and Jack and the team continued working together—this time out of Manny’s basement.
The early days at BTECH were challenging, as the team worked to refine the S1, S2, and S3 models. A major hurdle was achieving accurate impedance measurements on UPS system batteries, but Jack’s ingenuity, along with a few patented solutions, helped the team overcome these obstacles.
During BTECH’s formative years, Jack wore many hats. Not only did he develop the core impedance measurement technology, but he also engaged directly with customers to tailor battery monitors to their specific needs. He handled ordering parts, assisted with production, and played an active role in assembly and testing. Jack was also on-site during installations, overseeing startup and commissioning, and training customers. His technical support expertise was invaluable, and he contributed to creating user manuals and marketing white papers. Many of the foundational processes Jack established continue to be integral to BTECH’s operations today.
Even after “retiring” to Maryland, Jack continued to contribute by personally building the S3 test stations and completing the final models. Eventually, he relocated to Florida, but his impact on BTECH remains profound.
Jack’s contributions were instrumental in shaping BTECH into the successful company it is today. We will always be grateful for his vision, leadership, and dedication!
