About Us

Beacon Executive Leadership

Daniel Anstandig - CEO, Futuri

As the visionary CEO and founder of Futuri Media, Daniel Anstandig has been the driving force behind the company's groundbreaking Beacon technology, which harnesses the power of AI and natural language processing to deliver real-time public safety information from authoritative government sources.

  • With a future-minded approach and a passion for the convergence of technology and media, Anstandig has spearheaded Futuri's mission to develop innovative interactive consumer platforms and SaaS-based solutions for broadcasters and digital publishers. His leadership has been instrumental in positioning Beacon as a revolutionary product that seamlessly integrates advanced AI capabilities with reliable data sources, enabling natural, human-like voice interactions for disseminating critical information during emergencies and crisis situations.

    Anstandig's extensive background in the media and technology industries, coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit and advisory roles with renowned organizations such as The Wall Street Journal, CBS News, Clear Channel R&D, and The White House Commission on Remembrance, has provided him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in bridging the gap between technology and real-world applications.

    Under Anstandig's guidance, the Futuri team has pushed the boundaries of innovation, developing patented technologies, algorithms, and architectures that enable Beacon to capture, process, and deliver authoritative data from government sources with unparalleled speed and accuracy. His vision has been instrumental in shaping Beacon's user-centric design, ensuring that the product's AI-driven voice interactions provide a seamless and intuitive experience for disseminating vital information to communities nationwide.

    With a deep understanding of the critical role technology plays in enhancing public safety and emergency preparedness, Anstandig has positioned Beacon as a game-changer for public safety, empowering communities with real-time situational awareness and actionable information when it's needed most.

Tracy Gilliam - CSO, Futuri

As a veteran broadcaster and technologist, Gilliam has played a pivotal role in developing Beacon, Futuri's groundbreaking solution for delivering secure, real-time information from government sources through natural language processing and AI-powered voice interactions. Since joining Futuri in 2009, Gilliam has leveraged her extensive experience as an entrepreneur and early company member to drive Beacon's strategic vision and execution.

  • Prior to Futuri, Gilliam founded TopLine Matters, Inc., a certified woman-owned small business dedicated to fortifying media sales initiatives through quantitative and qualitative research. This entrepreneurial venture laid the foundation for Gilliam's leadership in spearheading innovative solutions that bridge the gap between technology and real-world applications. The company was acquired by Futuri in 2015 and today is on the fastest growing technologies in the firm’s sales intelligence product suite.

    During her 15-years with Futuri, Gilliam has overseen multiple departments, including sales, research and development (R&D), channel development, and customer experience. Her executive leadership has been instrumental in shaping Beacon's development, ensuring that the product seamlessly integrates cutting-edge AI technology with the critical need for reliable, accessible, and timely information from authoritative government sources.

    In her current role as Chief Strategy Officer at Futuri, Gilliam oversees the strategic expansion efforts of Beacon, and the Customer Experience department, ensuring that the product meets the unique needs of various stakeholders, including emergency management agencies, broadcasters, and the general public.

Craig Bowman - SVP, Futuri

As an award-winning engineer with over 35 years of experience, Craig has played a pivotal role in the development and engineering of Beacon, Futuri's groundbreaking AI-powered solution for delivering real-time public safety information from authoritative government sources.

  • Craig's exceptional technical capabilities and deep expertise in broadcasting and engineering have been instrumental in shaping Beacon's robust architecture and seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies. His extensive background, which includes engineering complex media operations for multiple public and private broadcast companies, such as Liggett Media, Krol Communications, and Synergy Broadcasting, has proven invaluable in building Beacon's innovative platform.

    Since joining Futuri in 2009, Craig has leveraged his engineering prowess to drive the build-out of many of the company's SaaS technologies, laying the foundation for Futuri's emergence as a leader in shaping the future of the media industry. His contributions have been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award in 2017, a testament to his exceptional skill and dedication to advancing the field.

    In his role as a lead engineer on the Beacon project, Craig has been instrumental in developing the intricate systems that enable seamless data integration from authoritative government sources, as well as the powerful AI and natural language processing capabilities that allow for natural, human-like voice interactions. His engineering expertise has been critical in ensuring that Beacon delivers accurate, reliable, and timely information during emergencies and critical events, empowering communities with real-time situational awareness.

Randy Wright - Executive Director
UF Division of Media Properties

Randy Wright is the Executive Director of the University of Florida’s Division of Media Properties, which operates multiple commercial and public television and radio stations in addition to the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (“FPREN”), a nationally-recognized multiplatform public safety alerting operation serving every public radio and television station in Florida and South Carolina.

  • Wright conceptualized and founded FPREN in 2012 which received the “Community Lifeline” award from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 2019 for providing extraordinary coverage of hurricane Irma and countless other significant events. Wright’s work, focusing on public safety and the support of emergency management, has earned him the PRRO Award for excellence in radio innovation and the Madison Hodges Award for Innovation in Media from U:SA in addition to FPREN being recognized by the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association with their Media Award in 2015 and 2024. Additionally, FPREN received a Government Productivity Award from Florida TaxWatch in 2023.

    Wright is the former Chairman of Florida Public Media and the Missouri Broadcasters Association and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Association of Broadcasters. He holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Missouri.

Craig Fugate - Executive Consultant

Craig Fugate brings an unparalleled level of expertise and experience to the development and strategic direction of Beacon, Futuri's groundbreaking AI-powered solution for delivering real-time public safety information from authoritative government sources.

  • As the former administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and a seasoned senior administrator with an extensive background in crisis management, emergency management, and disaster response, Fugate's insights and guidance have been instrumental in shaping Beacon's capabilities to meet the critical needs of communities nationwide.

    During his tenure as the director of the Florida Emergency Management Division, Fugate successfully oversaw the state's response to the "Big 4 of '04," demonstrating his exceptional leadership and crisis management skills in the face of unprecedented challenges. His subsequent role as the administrator of FEMA further solidified his reputation as a visionary leader, as he organized recovery efforts for a record-breaking eighty-seven disasters in 2011 alone.

    Fugate's deep understanding of the complexities and intricacies of emergency management at both the state and federal levels has been invaluable in guiding the development of Beacon's innovative platform. His unique perspective has helped ensure that Beacon seamlessly integrates cutting-edge AI and natural language processing technologies with the real-world requirements of emergency responders, government agencies, and the public.

    Under Fugate's strategic guidance, Beacon has emerged as a revolutionary solution that bridges the gap between technology and emergency management, empowering communities with real-time, actionable information during crises. His unwavering commitment to public safety and his extensive network within the government and emergency management space have positioned Beacon as a trusted and essential tool for enhancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities across the nation.

    As a key member of the Beacon Executive team, Fugate continues to leverage his unparalleled expertise and thought leadership to drive innovation and expand the reach of this transformative technology, ensuring that communities have access to the critical information they need when it matters most.

Mary Scott Nabers - President and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

Mary is the President/CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), a business development and public affairs firm. SPI specializes in procurement consulting, market research, government affairs, knowledge transfer, and public-private partnerships (P3s).

  • A recognized expert regarding P3s, Mary is the author of Collaboration Nation - How Public-Private Ventures Are Revolutionizing the Business of Government and Inside the Infrastructure Revolution – A Roadmap for Rebuilding America. She has been selected for membership in the Icons of Infrastructure organization.

    Mary writes for many publications and blogs weekly. Her articles have been published by media outlets, including Forbes, CNBC.com, CEO-Read, Change This, The Hill, Water on Line, World Highways, Bloomberg Government, Airport World, Politico, Smart & Resilient Cities, Infrastructure USA, Water Online, Construction USA, Renewable Energy World, Construction Today, P3 Bulletin, P3 World, ICMA, American Infrastructure, Born To Invest, Onvia, and many others. She is a regular contributor to business journals and SPI publishes two newsletters each week that carry her columns.

    Mary has an extensive business background in both the public and private sectors. She served as the Commissioner representing Business at the Texas Workforce Commission. In that position, she was a high-profile, proactive business advocate who founded The Texas Business Council.

    Later, Commissioner Nabers moved to the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulated approximately $65 billion of the state’s economy annually at the time. She was active on both the state and federal levels and represented Texas on numerous national boards. Very early in Mary’s career, she managed two radio stations and published a weekly newspaper in Brownwood, Texas. She has been an entrepreneur since the age of 15, when she started her first company.

    Mary holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration. She is active with numerous University of Texas groups and often speaks to MBA and LBJ School classes. She serves on the LBJ School of Public Affairs board. Mary also serves on the Chancellor’s Executive Advisory Council and the President’s Council at the University of Texas. She is a Partner at the Capital Factory, an incubator for high-tech start-up companies, and is involved in numerous national organizations.

    ACCOMPLISHMENTS/AWARDS/ACTIVITIES

    · Delegate, Emerging Leaders World Conference

    · Spirit of Texas Award · Leadership America

    · Leadership Texas · World Congress on Information Technology; Named to Profiles in Power and Icons of Infrastructure.

    PAST AND PRESENT BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

    · National Council for Public-Private Partnerships

    · National Petroleum Council · Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission · Long Center for the Performing Arts · Advisory Board, San Antonio Spurs · Chair, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce ∙ Board of Directors - Texas Association of Business · Girl Scouts Advisory Board · President, Headliners Club · Board of St David’s Healthcare Foundation · LBJ School Dean’s Advisory Council

Kent Caperton

Kent Caperton is a former State Senator, attorney, and an experienced consultant. Mr. Caperton brings a unique perspective to the BEACON team. His father and brother both served as County Judges in rural Texas. During his Senate tenure, Mr. Caperton represented 19 counties, both urban and rural, and established close relationships with county and local officials.

  • His legal experience of 4 decades will be invaluable to the BEACON team, especially in identifying legal issues that may arise.

    Previously, Mr. Caperton was a principal and senior member of the Ben Barnes Group and the Gemini Global Group. Mr. Caperton has dealt with issues at international, national, and state levels of government. Additionally, he worked with law firms on numerous complex litigation matters. Prior to joining the Barnes group, Mr. Caperton was a Managing Director at Public Strategies, focusing primarily on legislative, regulatory, and political policy for that firm’s national telecommunications client. He managed a large team of professionals in thirteen states embedded with the client.

    Mr. Caperton served as a State Senator from 1981-1991. His Senate service included a variety of assignments as Chairman of the Finance, Jurisprudence and Criminal Justice committees. Additionally, he served as a member of the Texas Judicial Council, the Legislative Budget Board, and the Legislative Audit Committee. Texas Monthly consistently ranked Caperton on its Best Legislator list and in 1989 described him as “the consensus choice for the Best Legislator of the Year.” In 1987, he was described as “the dominant member of the Senate.”

    Prior to his Senate service, Mr. Caperton served as Municipal Judge in Bryan, Texas; Visiting Lecturer at Texas A&M University College of Business; Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Texas; and Assistant to the President of Texas A&M University. Mr. Caperton holds a JD from the University of Texas School of Law and earned his B.B.A., cum laude, from Texas A&M University in 1971. He is admitted to practice in State and Federal Courts in Texas and the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

    Mr. Caperton has been recognized for his contributions in the community and legal profession. He received the James Madison Award from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas in 1988; the Mary Polk Leadership Award from the Texas Council on Family Violence in 1987; Outstanding Legislator from the Alliance for Judicial Funding in 1989; and as Lutheran of the Year in 1989. Caperton has also served on the Board of Advisors for the Freedom of Information Foundation, the Dean’s Roundtable at the University of Texas School of Law, The Board of Lutheran Social Services of the South, the Executive Committee of the University of Texas Law School Alumni Association, the Advisory Committee to the Texas A&M University Press, and on the Executive Committee of the Capital Area Boy Scouts.