Christopher Reed Rowsell
About Christopher Reed Rowsell
Christopher Reed Rowsell serves as a Product Owner, Solutions Architect, and Evangelist at American Electric Power, where he has implemented innovative XR technologies and strategic partnerships to enhance business operations. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computing and Geographical Information Systems from the University of South Wales and has developed various applications aimed at improving safety training and collaborative engineering design.
Work at American Electric Power
Christopher Reed Rowsell has been employed at American Electric Power since 2018, where he holds the position of Product Owner, Solutions Architect, and Evangelist. In this role, he has implemented the concept of 'Franchising XR' to enhance business unit ownership and adoption of XR technologies. He previously served as an XR Developer and Visionary at the same company from 2016 to 2018. His responsibilities include conducting strategic roadmaps and product presentations, both internally and externally, contributing to the organization's technological advancements.
Education and Expertise
Christopher studied at the University of South Wales, where he earned a Bachelor's (Honors) degree in Computing and Geographical Information Systems from 1998 to 2002. His educational background provides a foundation for his expertise in XR technologies and solutions architecture. He also attended Glan Ely High School prior to his university studies.
Background in Technology Development
Christopher has a diverse background in technology development, having worked as a Developer at Buy As You View from 2002 to 2004. He also completed an internship as an Application Developer at Dow Corning from 2000 to 2001. His early career experiences contributed to his skills in software development and application design.
Achievements in XR Technology
Christopher has led the evaluation and rollout of various XR hardware, including HoloLens 1-2, Meta Quest 1-2, Vuzix M4000/M400, and Realwear HMT-1. He executed the deployment and integration of HoloLens 2 with Remote Expert, which helped reduce travel expenses. Additionally, he developed the Fire Extinguisher Application, a VR, PC, and web-based solution aimed at enhancing fire safety training through improved muscle memory.
Strategic Partnerships and Projects
Christopher has conducted strategic partnerships with major technology companies such as Meta, Unity 3D, and IBM to create scalable solutions and infrastructure. He has also conceptualized and overseen the development of the NESC Application, a VR app designed for teaching NESC clearance code concepts through collaborative courses and immersive environments. His advocacy for budgets for capital projects has ranged from $50k to $1M, supporting advanced collaborative experiences.