Executive Biographies
Jie Zhang
Founder, Chief Scientist, and Chairman
Dr. Jie Zhang received his Ph.D. in Geophysics from MIT. He founded GeoTomo in 1998, leading the company to develop innovative imaging technologies for discovering energy resources. He received STAR Award from EPA (1994), Antarctic Service Award from NSF (1995), Reginald Fessenden Award from SEG (2012), Outstanding Educator Award from SEG (2015), SEG Honorary Lecturer Award (2016), and SEG Life Membership (2020). Dr. Zhang was ranked No. 1 among Most Creative People 100 in China by a US magazine Fast Company in 2015. In 2020, he was elected as a member of the Unites States National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Dr. Zhang served as Vice President of SEG during 2016-2017, a member of MIT Visiting Committee during 2011-2019, and a member of the Board of Governors of Asia School of Business (ASB) from 2018 to present. Currently he is leading multiple R&D groups in the fields of geophysical exploration, earthquake monitoring, medical imaging, and biomedicine.
James C. Jackson
President
James C. Jackson received a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and a Technology Marketing Certificate from the California Institute of Technology. James worked for Baker Hughes for 26 years where he held a variety of management and engineering positions. During this time, he gained vast international experience while on assignments in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Canada. James envisioned and led the formation of VSFusion L.L.C., a Baker Hughes – CGGVeritas Company, and became the Managing Director for 5 years. He has several United States Patents relating to the geophysical industry and has authored/co-authored many SEG and EAGE technical publications.
Oz Yilmaz
CTO
Öz Yilmaz received his B.S. in Geology with Geophysics Option from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1970, M.S. in Geophysics with research in rock physics and earthquake seismology from Stanford University in 1972, and after five years in the industry, Ph.D. in Geophysics with research in exploration seismology from Stanford University in 1979. Aside from numerous publications on all aspects of seismic data acquisition, processing and inversion, Öz has written four books; Seismic Data Processing published by SEG in 1987, Seismic Data Analysis published by SEG in 2001, Engineering Seismology published by SEG in 2015, and Land Seismic Case Studies published by SEG in 2021. Öz holds two US patents for seismic data analysis --- the i-stats image-based near-surface modeling and the i-cube image-based subsurface imaging. Received the American Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Virgil Kauffman Gold Medal Award in 1991 in recognition of his textbook ‘Seismic Data Processing,’ associated video tapes, and publications in various aspects of seismic data analysis. Received the European Society of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) Conrad Schlumberger Award in 1992 in recognition of his sustained contributions to the theory and practice of seismic data processing, which, whether in research, tutorial or book, are consistently penetrating and stimulating. For his ‘contributions to the geophysical profession in a global manner,’ his biography was included in Who’s Who in the World, 1998 edition. Elected member to the European Academy of Sciences in 2002 in recognition of his outstanding and influential contributions to the oil and gas industry and fundamental developments in the field of geophysical prospecting. Received Honorary Professional Degree in Geology and Geophysics in 2003 from his Alma Mater University of Missouri-Rolla in recognition of his ‘outstanding professional contributions.’ Elected Honorary Member of the American Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) in 2011 in recognition of the expanded version of his labor-of-love --- his two-volume treatment retitled Seismic Data Analysis. Öz also has continued to publish regularly in both Geophysics and The Leading Edge since the time of his previous recognition. Elected member of the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2022. Öz is the first and only member elected from Turkey. Yilmaz’s induction is “for leadership in developing innovative methods for processing seismic reflection data and educating a generation of geophysicists.” Elected Distinguished Scientist by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2022. Received the highest award of the American Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) --- Maurice Ewing Medal in 2022 in recognition of his distinguished contributions both to the advancement of the science and to the profession of exploration geophysics.
Weizhong Wang
Vice President
Dr. Weizhong Wang received his Ph.D. in Automation from Tsinghua University in China. He then became a postdoctoral fellow in the University of Toronto. Dr. Wang worked on geophysical technology development at Veritas, GeoCenter, and PGS before joining GeoTomo in 2005. He has been leading the efforts of technology development and customer support at GeoTomo.
Michael Shui
Software Development Manager
Michael Shui received his BE and MS in Computer Science from the University of Science and Technology of China. He previously worked for Interactive Network Technologies, Inc as technical lead, Plaint Tech, LLC as front end system architect and PROS Revenue Management, Inc as lead developer. Since joining GeoTomo in 2007, he has been responsible for managing the software development, quality assurance, product release and customer support.
Steve Syme
Technical Support Manager
Steve Syme received a BS in Geological Engineering from Queen's University in Kingston, Canada. Steve has worked for 19 years as a Processing Geophysicist, mostly at Veritas GeoServices and, most recently, Sensor Geophysical. He has held both technical and supervisory roles in offices in both North and South America. Steve will lead the effort in all aspects of customer support, including customer problem resolution, license renewal, customer training, and data processing.