About
We develop functional, beautiful products—from concept to market, across a variety of industries. Together we find elegant solutions and bring ideas to life through engineering-based industrial design that balances form and function. Whether introducing new technology or streamlining existing processes, we support our clients with creativity, dialogue, passion, and technical know-how.
We are engineers, designers, organizers, and creatives from a variety of backgrounds bringing a wide array of expertise and experience. We meet you where you are in your journey to co-create products that solve problems for real people.
For over 25 years our product development firm has helped established companies, startups, and research institutions to create, conceptualize, refine, manufacture, and launch successful products that have enhanced the lives of countless happy customers.
SPARK was also founded in Richmond and we strive to be an active part of our city and the community. Learn more here!
William (Bill) Riley
Having come from a background of larger companies, Bill co-founded SPARK in 1997 to be a different kind of firm; one which listens to clients and champions their product vision. A talented engineer with vast mechanical experience, Bill is often the first to think of a simple mechanical solution to solve a complex problem. Having grown up with 10 siblings, Bill isn't afraid of what others may call chaos. Bill is also an avid sailor, boat builder, and family man.
Philip O'Connor
Philip comes to us having previously served Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering as their Corporate Relations Officer. At VCU, Philip worked with faculty, staff, and students to develop new programs for industry to engage on campus. Philip will become essential to our company and it's relationships moving forward and will be hyper-focused on the client experience in working with the SPARK team. Philip and his wife, Sara, live with their dog, Mr. Black, in their old row home in the Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond.
Bruce Ferris
After college, Bruce bounced around in various professional positions, from methods engineer at a precision metal fabricator, to management positions at businesses ranging from start-ups to publicly traded companies. He discovered that he enjoys designing, problem solving, and interacting closely with customers and vendors, so SPARK has been a perfect home. You can find Bruce outside the office exploring Richmond's restaurants and craft beers.
Shane Diller
Shane recently joined the SPARK team as a jack of all trades engineer. He received his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014, and then took a stint teaching entrepreneurship, startup operations and design. He returned to VCU and received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2020. When he is not working, he enjoys staying active through rock climbing, hiking, and working out.
Chris Murray
Chris is a Richmond native who graduated from Virginia Tech's Industrial Design program in 2009. He has worked on everything from museum exhibits, to children's toys, to power tools and commercial machinery. Chris is a hands-on designer who doesn't mind getting dirty, and he prides himself on having a diverse background and skill set. Outside work you'll find him putting miles on his bike, rock climbing, or exploring the James River.
Paul Rockwell
Paul has been with SPARK since April of 2000. He's enjoyed his time here thanks to the diversity of products our clients bring to the table. He also appreciates working for a small, privately-owned business that does not treat its employees as a number. If you can pull him away from work for a few minutes, ask him about his cars. He's always working on something interesting, and it's typically loud and fast.
Ryan Beaver
After finishing a degree in Mechanical Engineering from VCU, Ryan sought to be more than just an engineer and attained a degree in Product Innovation from the VCU da Vinci Center, building on an entrepreneurial background. Ryan came on full time at SPARK after finishing his masters in 2020. While the fast-paced, constantly changing world of mechanical design and R&D at SPARK keeps him on his toes by day, nights and weekends are consumed by a passion for outdoor adventure sports, and above all designing, building, and riding bicycles.
Jonathan (Jon) Kyte
Originally from the Great Lakes region, Jon’s background blends both artistry and technicality. After graduating from Youngstown State University with a Fine Art degree he followed his childhood passion for car design to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. After graduating from CCS’s Automotive Industrial Design program, he worked for many years in the auto racing industry. Seeking the opportunity to be creative on many different product applications drew Jon to SPARK. Jon appreciates the chance to be a part of the entire design process from ideation to problem solving to hands-on prototyping. Outside of work you will find Jon working on his classic car or exploring new restaurants and coffee shops in the area.
Charity Stevens
Charity keeps everything balanced - the finances and the people in our office. She's a hardcore fan of Formula 1, and is extremely savvy about all the real estate areas of Richmond. Ask her about her favorite places to live and best new places to eat in town.
Mr. Black
Mike Holt
Mike joined SPARK in 2022 as an Engineering Intern and is currently studying for his Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at VCU. Mike was drawn to SPARK by the opportunity to work on multiple different projects and under different engineers. In his off time Mike enjoys working on his car, riding his motorcycle, and complaining about exams.
River
Hailing from a mysterious past in the rural outskirts of Richmond, River has settled in to a part time role at SPARK's upstairs ID lab. While he offers minimal technical contributions, he does his best to boost team moral with his boundless love for human interaction. Outside of work, River whiles away his days lounging on the sofa, in the sun, or harassing his greyhound sister with an endless desire to wrestle and chew.
Having come from a background of larger companies, Bill co-founded SPARK in 1997 to be a different kind of firm; one which listens to clients and champions their product vision. A talented engineer with vast mechanical experience, Bill is often the first to think of a simple mechanical solution to solve a complex problem. Having grown up with 10 siblings, Bill isn't afraid of what others may call chaos. Bill is also an avid sailor, boat builder, and family man.
Philip comes to us having previously served Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering as their Corporate Relations Officer. At VCU, Philip worked with faculty, staff, and students to develop new programs for industry to engage on campus. Philip will become essential to our company and it's relationships moving forward and will be hyper-focused on the client experience in working with the SPARK team. Philip and his wife, Sara, live with their dog, Mr. Black, in their old row home in the Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond.
After college, Bruce bounced around in various professional positions, from methods engineer at a precision metal fabricator, to management positions at businesses ranging from start-ups to publicly traded companies. He discovered that he enjoys designing, problem solving, and interacting closely with customers and vendors, so SPARK has been a perfect home. You can find Bruce outside the office exploring Richmond's restaurants and craft beers.
Shane recently joined the SPARK team as a jack of all trades engineer. He received his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014, and then took a stint teaching entrepreneurship, startup operations and design. He returned to VCU and received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2020. When he is not working, he enjoys staying active through rock climbing, hiking, and working out.
Chris is a Richmond native who graduated from Virginia Tech's Industrial Design program in 2009. He has worked on everything from museum exhibits, to children's toys, to power tools and commercial machinery. Chris is a hands-on designer who doesn't mind getting dirty, and he prides himself on having a diverse background and skill set. Outside work you'll find him putting miles on his bike, rock climbing, or exploring the James River.
Paul has been with SPARK since April of 2000. He's enjoyed his time here thanks to the diversity of products our clients bring to the table. He also appreciates working for a small, privately-owned business that does not treat its employees as a number. If you can pull him away from work for a few minutes, ask him about his cars. He's always working on something interesting, and it's typically loud and fast.
After finishing a degree in Mechanical Engineering from VCU, Ryan sought to be more than just an engineer and attained a degree in Product Innovation from the VCU da Vinci Center, building on an entrepreneurial background. Ryan came on full time at SPARK after finishing his masters in 2020. While the fast-paced, constantly changing world of mechanical design and R&D at SPARK keeps him on his toes by day, nights and weekends are consumed by a passion for outdoor adventure sports, and above all designing, building, and riding bicycles.
Originally from the Great Lakes region, Jon’s background blends both artistry and technicality. After graduating from Youngstown State University with a Fine Art degree he followed his childhood passion for car design to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. After graduating from CCS’s Automotive Industrial Design program, he worked for many years in the auto racing industry. Seeking the opportunity to be creative on many different product applications drew Jon to SPARK. Jon appreciates the chance to be a part of the entire design process from ideation to problem solving to hands-on prototyping. Outside of work you will find Jon working on his classic car or exploring new restaurants and coffee shops in the area.
Mike joined SPARK in 2022 as an Engineering Intern and is currently studying for his Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at VCU. Mike was drawn to SPARK by the opportunity to work on multiple different projects and under different engineers. In his off time Mike enjoys working on his car, riding his motorcycle, and complaining about exams.
Hailing from a mysterious past in the rural outskirts of Richmond, River has settled in to a part time role at SPARK's upstairs ID lab. While he offers minimal technical contributions, he does his best to boost team moral with his boundless love for human interaction. Outside of work, River whiles away his days lounging on the sofa, in the sun, or harassing his greyhound sister with an endless desire to wrestle and chew.
Let’s make something together
© 2021 SPARK Product Development, LLC.
