The XR Association, a Washington, DC-based trade organisation aimed at promoting the global extended reality (XR) industry, has named Stephanie Montgomery as its Vice-President of Research and Best Practices.
Mrs Montgomery, who holds over 20 years of experience of working with industry trade associations and in standards development, will bring with her a proven track record of programme development.
She joins the XR Association after a career with the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) as its Vice-President of Technology and Standards, where she managed roughly 70 committees and 1,100 member volunteers to develop industry standards across 4G interoperability, public safety private radio communications, data centre design, and many others.
According to the XRA, Montgomery’s knowledge of standards development was a “valuable asset” as the organisation aims to expand its research and best practices base to “bring the promise of XR to life for billions of people”.
Elizabeth Hyman, XRA Chief Executive, said she was excited to have Montgomery join the team, adding,
“As XR technology continues to evolve, it’s critical that our industry works together to develop and implement best practices that promote responsible development and use of immersive technologies. Stephanie’s experience in driving research, data and technical knowledge in the telecom industry are skill sets that will prove invaluable to this effort”
The news comes amid two years of growth for the Association, including promotions of Joan O’Hara, Vice-President of Public Policy and Laura Chadwick, Vice-President of Industry Relations.
Both candidates were promoted as Senior Director of Public Policy and Senior Director of Industry Relations, respectively, and stepped into their current positions this year.
Responding to the promotion, Montgomery added,
“I am thrilled to be working with this team of extraordinary people. This is a can’t-miss opportunity to work alongside the XR industry as it brings this life-changing technology to market and tackles some tough questions and challenges”
The announcement comes just months after XR Today interviewed Mrs O’Hara on the developments in the XRA as the Association outlined its plans to advocate the inclusion of XR infrastructure in the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA).
USICA is set to reshape national and global infrastructure for emerging technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, and others, in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The XRA also includes association members such as Microsoft, Google, Oculus (Facebook), HTC VIVE, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, and other leading tech giants.
