ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

None of us accomplishes anything strictly on our own merits; we all but extend the work of those who precede us. In a way, we are all running a relay race. It would be disingenuous, if not inconsiderate, if we failed to acknowledge those whose efforts contributed to the book you are about to read. First and foremost, we want to acknowledge Deborah and Emma, who brought us into this world and, through years of loving sacrifice, embarked us upon what has turned out to be the adventures of our lives.

We also want to call out the staff and faculty of the US Military Academy, especially those in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. They educated, trained, and inspired us to become who we are today. Their teaching and mentorship fueled the flames of our intellectual curiosity and gave us the space to experiment. We also acknowledge the cadets, who, when we returned as faculty members years later, kept us on our toes through their insightful questions in class and their need for ever more challenging exercises in the labs. Our country is in good hands with them.

Finally, we would like to recognize those who put their lives on the line every day in the service of our country. It is these heroes who are ultimately responsible for preserving the environment that makes this all possible: from going to school to leading companies. Thank you, for selflessly defending our way of life.