Government Awards and Patents
- Patent #4,510,072, Composition having neutralized differential infrared absorbency
- FCC Second Class License for Radio Broadcasting
Technology and Science Awards
Application Engineering Award from Mentor Graphics for x86 embedded kernel, tools, and XRay debugger customer support.
Ron Fredericks received this design award for developing and promoting the first interactive Board Support Package (BSP) web site design for Wind River and its partners. It was an industry first: integrating a front end web service with an automated back end integration for OEM computer and microcontroler partners along with a test and certify program with a 3rd party partnership with TeamF1. The result was a web portal for reliable BSPs to coordinate Wind River sales teams with board vendor partners for faster time-to-market for clients. https://www.windriver.com/products/board-support-packages
Ron Fredericks developed a portable “wetware” method—implemented as a pill—that enables a novel chemical computing technique for laboratory analysis. When applied to milk, the compound delivers a stable infrared absorption profile that reduces interference with standard infrared spectroscopy measurements.
By combining low-cost external compounds with the milk’s intrinsic components (fat, protein, lactose, and water), Ron engineered an innovative, practical approach to quality-control testing. The resulting patent, co-authored with his client, significantly lowered testing costs and introduced a disruptive advancement for the food-manufacturing industry.
This work reflects Ron’s broader expertise in designing reusable embedded-component solutions across diverse scientific and engineering disciplines—bridging chemistry, computation, and industrial application.
Click here to read the full patent# 4,510,072>
Sales Awards
Ron Fredericks sold an advanced real-time data analysis system that became widely adopted in the dairy industry. He subsequently sold a complementary support solution for this product while employed at Keane Inc.
He earned this award for outstanding success in targeting and closing new business for Keane,, a leading engineering consulting firm with a dedicated team of embedded software engineers at GE Nuclear Energy in San Jose with extra consultants “on the bench” waiting for new projects.
Ron Fredericks received this award for coordinating Wind River’s field sales team with Aisys’ marketing and field sales efforts to drive $1 million in sales of Aisys device driver development tools in one year. In the embedded systems industry, sales costs can be substantial—roughly 44% of revenue per SEC disclosures from Red Hat and Wind River. By pursuing synergistic sales and marketing partnerships, Ron demonstrates a proven track record in defining, managing, and executing effective partnerships that reduce the cost of sales and boost revenue for embedded-component solutions in dairy, food manufacturing, and related sectors.
Public Speaking Awards
Ron Fredericks was elected to the District 4 C5 Area Governor through a vote by fellow Toastmaster leaders and members. This one-year role supports five clubs, focusing on membership growth, member recognition, and running two speech contests. Ron ranked as the third-highest-performing Area Governor out of 35 in District 4, which stretches from Monterey to San Francisco. Toastmasters International>
This award followed Ron Fredericks completion of the Advanced Communicator Bronze and Silver designations, plus two additional advanced communication manuals. During this time, Ron conducted a seminar on running effective meetings and coached a new member through their first three speech projects. In total, Ron completed six Advanced Communication Series manuals and gained a wide range of valuable speaking skills. Toastmasters International>
Ron Fredericks received this award for the creation of a new Toastmasters International public speaking club at Wind River’s Alameda facilities. Being the first at something is difficult for many people, but to receive a charter member award, a person must be able to see the value and take the initiative to start something new while assembling a team to particpate effectively. Toastmasters International>
Ron Fredericks received this award for completion of 10 unique styles of speech while developing a competent level of public speaking. For Ron to master the speaking skills at the Competent Toastmaster (CTM) level, he invested a year of practice developing compelling content, PowerPoint slides, and delivery technique while receiving guidance from mentors and evaluation from his peers. Toastmasters International>
Ron Fredericks received this award for leadership as Vice President of Public Relations for Wind River’s new Windmasters speech club. Toastmasters International>
Publishing Awards, Editorial Management, and Articles
Ron Fredericks received this award for community service as Software Development Forum (SDForum) newsletter editor. As editor, each of the 15 meetings held per month by SDForum needed volunteer writers to submit special interest group write-ups; feature meeting speaker each month had to be interviewed and a feature article written by the Ron; advertisement and back-up material needed to be prepared in advance to keep the newsletter in the mail monthly for 2,500 bay area technologists to read. Ron managed a paid staff to publish, mail, layout, and copy edit the content. SDForum>
Ron Fredericks served as Technical Editor for Digital Equipment Corporation’s DECUS Magazine, an international publication that reached approximately 50,000 subscribers across 23 chapters worldwide at its peak, bringing together countries and technologies through major events and shared open-source resources. In this role, Ron attended annual national events as a representative of the open-source community, wrote a regular technology column, encouraged new authors to contribute, and carefully proofread technical content.