Home Team
Leadership & Expertise

Team Behind the Technology

A world-class team of executives, engineers, and academic researchers united by a shared mission to revolutionize climate control through thermoacoustic innovation.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Executive Team

Experienced leaders driving Cool Sound Industries toward market success

Keith Franklin

Keith Franklin

Chief Executive Officer

Leadership experience, management and strategic planning skills for the company. Worked with thermoacoustic technology and other R&D projects.

Liberty University
Dan Gudema

Dan Gudema

VP Business Development

Start-up Expert with extensive experience in business development and strategic growth initiatives.

MBA, Florida Atlantic University
Yuriy Shirokikh

Yuriy Shirokikh

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Compliance Officer and Financial Director with deep expertise in corporate finance and regulatory compliance.

Finance & Compliance
Rex Witkamp

Rex Witkamp

Director of IT & Digital Media

Leading technology infrastructure and digital media initiatives to support company growth and operations.

University of North Florida
STRATEGIC GUIDANCE

Advisors

Industry experts providing strategic counsel and business expertise

Ethan Tuby

Ethan Tuby

Advisor

Ex-KPMG Deal Advisory with expertise in Business and Accounting Analytics.

Washington University in St. Louis
Michael Alguire

Michael Alguire

Advisor

Researcher, Business Development, and Librarian specializing in information management.

MI, University of Toronto
Andres Hernandez Tabet

Andres Hernandez

Advisor

Design and Manufacturing specialist bringing engineering expertise to product development.

Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito
SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION

Professors & Research Team

World-renowned academics and researchers advancing thermoacoustic science

University of Texas at Dallas

University of Texas at Dallas

Yaoyu Li, PhD

Yaoyu Li, PhD

Professor

Mechanical Engineering PhD from Purdue University. Leading research in thermoacoustic systems and heat transfer.

Wei Li, PhD

Wei Li, PhD

Assistant Professor

Mechanical and Manufacturing PhD from Missouri University of Science & Technology. Also holds Aerospace Engineering degree from Tongji University.

Guoping Xiong, PhD

Guoping Xiong, PhD

Assistant Professor

Mechanical, Molding & Design Engineering from Purdue University. Specializing in advanced manufacturing techniques.

Penn State University

Penn State University

Dr. Yun Jing, PhD

Dr. Yun Jing, PhD

Professor

Graduate program in Acoustics. Leading expert in acoustic physics and thermoacoustic applications.

Robert Smith, PhD

Robert Smith, PhD

Professor

Research & Development Acoustics. Pioneering work in acoustic resonator design and optimization.

Purdue University

Purdue University

Travis Horton, PhD

Travis Horton, PhD

Professor

Civil Engineering. Infrastructure and systems integration expertise for commercial applications.

Yangfan Liu, PhD

Yangfan Liu, PhD

Assistant Professor

Mechanical Engineering. Research focus on thermal systems and energy efficiency.

Junfei Li, PhD

Junfei Li, PhD

Assistant Professor

Electrical & Computer Science. PhD from Duke University. Systems control and electronics integration.

OUR STORY

About Cool Sound Industries & the Founder

Frank Wighard

Frank Wighard

Founder
35+ Years Experience

Cool Sound Industries was established as a commercial platform to bring together the various technical disciplines required to successfully develop residential and commercial air conditioning applications.

Frank Wighard, the company's founder, has over 35 years of experience in the design, installation and service of environmental control equipment (air conditioning systems). Mr. Wighard recognized the potential benefits of thermoacoustic for air conditioning systems and initiated his investigation by collaborating with the academic and research community studying this phenomena.

Mr. Wighard filed an initial patent on a double driver configuration that adapts thermoacoustic heat transfer process to air conditioning applications. The original "Double Acting Pulse Tube Electroacoustic System" patent (US 5813234) serves as the foundation for all Cool Sound Industries' innovations. He has since proposed numerous improvements to his basic design, with 7 new advanced patents ready as of October 2025.

His early involvement and consulting activities have resulted in valuable business relationships that will benefit the launch and future success of the company. For a complete bio of the science team and management, contact the company at 561-707-1633.

35+
Years Experience
8+
Patents (Total)
Vision
GET IN TOUCH

Connect With Our Team

For a complete bio of the science team and management, or to discuss partnership and investment opportunities, contact us today.