QUOVIS is a purpose-built vehicle for wheelchair users ... hand controls for gas & brake, air-conditioning, and power accessories are standard. QUOVIS features front wheel drive, a Constant Velocity Transmission (CVT) and is powered by a 505cc fuel-injected computer controlled engine. This technology enables Quovis drivers to achieve 90 mpg in urban areas. Quovis retails for $24,275, which is less than half the price of an adapted mini-van from GM, Ford or Chrysler (OEM). The mobility industry continues to re-manufacture OEM vans which sell for $65,000 + disability controls. The New Generation Quovis will feature more powerful GM engines: Gas, hybrid and diesel/ CNG for commercial use.
The Quovis product line applies Universal Design, a framework for the design of places, things, information, communication and policy to be usable by the widest range of people operating in the widest range of situations without special or separate design. Most simply, Universal Design is human-centered design of everything with everyone in mind. Quovis Designers and Engineers will apply these Universal Design tests on the Quovis product line:
1. Equitable Use: The design does not disadvantage or stigmatize any user.
2. Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
3. Simple, Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's driving experience.
4. Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of abilities.
5. Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
6. Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue.
7. Size and Space for Approach & Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation & use.
Quovis will employ Wounded Veterans to Design, Engineer, Fabricate, Manufacture, assemble, market and sell the Quovis product line to and for "those that have borne the battle" ... In addition to those that are disabled and are in need of rehabilitation and mobility.
The Center for Transportation Studies at The University of Missouri, reported: 54 million or 20.6% of the people living in the USA have some level of disability.
The American Disability Act (ADA) advocates are influencing how Governments are licensing Taxi Service Providers. Taxis are covered by Title III of the ADA as a public accommodation. Many State and regulatory authorities are going beyond the ADA federal legislation and are mandating that ADA - approved accessible vehicles be a part of their permitted Taxi Fleet.
There are over 67 million wheelchair users globally ... over 8.4 million in the USA and Europe.
3. The Center for Transportation Studies at
The University of Missouri, reported:
54 million or 20.6% of the people living
in the USA have some level of disability.
4. Quovis is the
Gold Award Winner
of the Concours Lepine
Inventors‘ Olympic Fair
The Quovis is purpose
built for wheelchair users
and Wounded Warriors
5. Number of Wheelchair Users in the USA = 3.4 million
Number of Wheelchair Users in the Europe = 5 million
Number of Wheelchair Users In The World = 67 million
* Studies: US Census, UK- Aldersea, UK- NHS Purchasing & Supply Agency, Vignier- France, RIVM – Dutch, IASP's website – USA, Med Services - EU
* USA Statistics as of 01/2015
The Quovis Mission :
6. The American Disability Act (ADA)
advocates are influencing how
Governments are licensing
Taxi Service Providers.
Taxis are covered by Title III of the ADA as a public
accommodation. Many State and regulatory authorities
are going beyond the ADA federal legislation and are
mandating that
ADA - approved accessible vehicles
be a part of their permitted Taxi Fleet.
7. 12/2014 The New York Times reports that
New York City has settled the lawsuit filed
by disability groups. The City has agreed
that 50% of the cabs operating must be
ADA compliant and accessible by
wheelchair users, by 2020. Other major
Taxi Authorities will follow NYC lead.
9. QUOVIS is a purpose-built vehicle for wheelchair users ... hand
controls for gas & brake, air-conditioning, and power
accessories are standard. QUOVIS features front wheel drive,
a Constant Velocity Transmission (CVT) and is powered by a
505cc fuel-injected computer controlled engine.
This technology enables Quovis drivers to achieve 90 mpg in
urban areas. Quovis retails for $24,275, which is less than half
the price of an adapted mini-van from GM, Ford or Chrysler
(OEM). The mobility industry continues to remanufacture OEM
vans which sell for $65,000 + disability controls.
12. 1st generation Quovis with
joystick speed control and
zero effort steering.
Includes optional voice
activation for accessories ...
These are control systems
for Wounded Warrior
rehabilitation and
wheelchair users with
limited upper body
mobility ...
13. At American Honda, Abe was responsible for the implementation and development of the Management Action Program utilized by both the
Honda Automotive and Motorcycle Divisions. The Management Action Program is a Kaizen Program (Six Sigma), focused on continuous
improvement in Dealership Sales processes, Dealership service processes and business activities. This is the foundation of Honda's superior
customer satisfaction performance and it is this program that drove Honda to number one on the J.D. Powers Customer Satisfaction Index.
A Dealer took note of his work at Honda and with a group of Investors, Abe became and a Dealer and soon the Chief Operating Officer for the
Hometown Dealership Network, where he directed operations for this multi-state, multi-franchised automotive group. He was very involved in
Dealership acquisitions and attempts to take the Group public. The development of an in-house Special Finance department stimulated sales.
On assignment for JAGUAR CARS Abe traveled nationwide to train Jaguar Dealers in the utilization of the Jaguar Pre-owned Internet Auction
Program and the development of Jaguar Certified Pre-owned Departments. With this dealer training program that included: Internet sales, pre-
owned finance & leasing programs, re-conditioning training and certification program, Jaguar increased pre-owned sales 222%.
In 2000, Abe was retained by Italian Motorcycle Manufacturer DUCATI, where he designed and developed a Ducati Web-Based Training
program and coupled it with the Ducati salesman certification program to drive sales.
The experience with Jaguar and Ducati lead him to Europe where Abe conducted marketing studies for several niche manufacturers. Vexel
Automoćion, the manufacturer of the Quovis, retained Abe as a Director to develop a Global Distribution Network for the Brand, along with
solving manufacturing and operation issues. The Kaizen (Six Sigma) business process and quality improvement program he implemented for
Vexel resulted in the Quovis becoming the Gold Award Winner of Concours Lepine, The Inventors Fair. In 2015, Abe launched Quovis LLC
to research, design, manufacture & market the second generation Quovis product line in the USA, with focus on Wounded Warriors programs.
Abe Hopper, President/ CEO Abe Hopper helped finance his college education by selling BMW's and Subaru's. After
graduating from Rider University, he became the Dealership's Sales and Service Manager. Subaru of America soon hired
Abe as National Training Instructor, to train over 837 Dealership employees with a network of ten Distributor Instructors. As
the Fuji Engineering Liaison, the development of the Subaru Certified Technician training program and National Service
marketing campaigns were launched under Abe's leadership.
Education: Abe has a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from Rider University and Technical Training Instructor Certification (CTT+)
from The University of Wisconsin. He continues his automotive marketing education with the National Automotive Dealers Association
Continuing Education Program, with curriculums developed and certified by Northwood University.
Responsibilities: Develop and refine the Company's vision. Oversee all areas and company departments, including developing the next
phase of product, with vendors and Management Team. Seek out and respond to business opportunities and strategic alliances with other
organizations. Plan, develop and establish policies and objectives of business organization in accordance with board directives and company
charter. Direct and coordinate financial programs to provide funding for new or continuing operations in order to maximize return on
investments and increase productivity.
Executive Management Team
15. Executive Management Team
Shannon Pass, Vice President of Technical Services. Shannon is a disabled Veteran of the U.S. Army with over
seven years of Battalion and Brigade field operations communication experience. As a Department of Defense, U.S.
Army Information Management Officer (IMO) Shannon developed strategies for computer technology acquisition and
implementation, with the responsibility for budgeting for hardware and software needs that served a Battalion. His field
operations duties included Opposing Force Team Operator/ Trainer to ready/ train theater operation personnel to engage
enemy targets: for capture, disruption or acquire communications, mobility, power, personnel or equipment.
After his Army Career Shannon became the Network Manager for Douglas Consulting And Computer Services, Inc. In
this position he evaluated network performance, usage and traffic flow, switching and routing techniques, accesses and
interfaces and protocols. In addition, he performed network vulnerability and performance analysis and feasibility studies
concerning network architecture.
Shannon continued his IT career directing the sales, marketing and management of NComputing systems for contract
employers. His focus is on desktop virtualization: hardware and software to create virtual desktops which enable multiple
users to simultaneously share a single operating system instance. This new IT environment manages itself based on
perceived activity, and utility computing. With virtualization, computer processing power is seen as a utility that clients
can pay for only as needed, improving scalability and overall hardware-resource utilization.
Education: Department of Defense, U.S. Army Certifications and Training Instructor Certifications:
• Telecommunications - Advanced Defense Communications and Electronic Counter-Counter Measures,
CUWTF,(Combined Unconventional Warfare Task Force Center).
• MEDS Training Certificate - Phase I, II, III (Trainer Instructor) - U.S. ARMY 85th General Hospital.
• Advanced Engine Diagnostics
• Transmissions and Transaxles
• Computer Technology; Minor: Communications – U.S. ARMY SIGNAL TRAINING CENTER
• Signal Support System Specialist (31U)
Responsibilities: Shannon will first focus on directing the Engineering Team on the development of the Quovis on-board
computer and electrical systems. He provides leadership, vision, and management to the IT operational and
infrastructural staff. Leads the team to envision, design and implement effective cloud architecture, telephony/network
architecture and other infrastructure components to scale up to support the growing needs of the business. Conducts
proper technology roadmap, market analysis to develop long-range plans designed to maintain cost effectiveness and
competitiveness of the company's IT infrastructure and vehicle platforms. He will lead the IT teams responsible for
Corporate information security and vehicle computer systems security.
16. Executive Management Team
Pete Stephens, PMP, Senior Project Engineer. Pete Stephens is a Project Management Professional (PMP®). This
certification is a qualification program overseen by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Pete has directed Local Motors'
Project Management approach to the Co-Creation process using open innovation methodologies including crowd-sourced
design, white-label websites, strategic marketing, community management and micro-factory implementation. Local Motors
leads next-generation crowd-powered automotive design, manufacturing and technology, to enable the creation of game-
changing vehicles. Through open-source principles, Local Motors helps solve local problems, locally; makes transportation
more sustainable, globally; and delivers, through distributed manufacturing, innovative co-created vehicles and components
with designers, fabricators, engineers and enthusiasts from around the world. Pete has over thirty years of Project
Engineering Management experience and has worked with TRW, Rogers Corporation, AmSafe Aviation, BAE Systems and
Armor Holdings, Ducommun Incorporated and Local Motors. He holds the TRW patent on Air Bag Inflator Assembly,
United States 5275431.
Education: Pete has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology & Engineering Technology from Northern Arizona
University
Responsibilities: From the designs of our design team Centro Polo, Pete will engineer, manage and direct the creation of
Quovis second generation prototypes utilizing distributed manufacturing, innovative co-created vehicles and design
components with designers, fabricators, engineers. He will collaborate with the Engineers at Local Motors to certify and test
the Quovis product line to ensure that the vehicles exceed USA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and European
Union UNECE Transport Division safety regulations.
17. Executive Management Team
Anthony R. Brown, Chief Operations Officer. Tony has more than 30 years of successfully developing Multi-Billion
Dollar revenue producing companies, both domestically and internationally. He has held senior executive
management positions as President/COO, Vice President and Director for CommGuide International, ICT, Dal
Telecom International, ITT/ Metromedia, LCI, and TMC. Tony contributed to TMC's rapid growth in
telecommunications by directing a sales team that produced over $800 Million in billing revenues annually in just 4
years. TMC became AT&T's second largest customer, the first being our Federal Government.
His international regions of focus have included Central Europe, Asia, South America, Central America and the
Caribbean. Tony Brown is fluent in Russian, Spanish and understanding of Vietnamese. He currently has business
associates in Russia, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand and the Caribbean.
Education: AT&T Management Certifications: Sales, Business Development, IT Networking, Network Interfacing; and
ITT Management Certification in International Business Development and Global Communications Networks.
Responsibilities: Tony will be The Quovis Global Liaison between Quovis Manufacturing and our Distributor
Manufacturing partners. He will: Develop Global Distributor/ Dealer Network and coordinate communications
between Quovis Manufacturing and Distributor factories. Advise the President in foreign business protocol and
interpret during business meetings. Translate documents, contracts, manuals and publications as needed for doing
business in the USA. Alert President of any "hidden agendas" or improprieties that a different language might be
used to hide, in meetings, documents or publications.
18. Executive Management Team
Ray Sciarappa, Chief Marketing Officer. A veteran of the US Army, Ray developed a distinguished career of over ten
years. While on active duty he earned the rank of Captain and was presented the Meritorious Service Medal twice (the
Army’s highest peace time medal) along with other commendations and medals. He became acquainted with the special
needs of Wounded Warriors through assisting his father, a Veteran, who was wounded in WWII. Ray has become expert in
navigating through the requirements of the Veterans Administration (VA) to get needed assistance for Wounded Warriors.
He remains active in veteran’s associations, community programs and wounded warrior programs.
After his Army career Ray earned an MBA in Finance and worked for EF Hutton and New York Life becoming a licensed
stocker broker, insurance agent and Certified Financial Planner. He was recruited by Buick/Jeep Dealership as a Finance
Manager and Sales Manager. Ray continued his education by attending the NADA Academy to earn his General Managers
certificate. Since that time he has been a General Sales Manager and General Manager at several high line dealerships
which include Ray Catena Lexus & Jaguar, Englewood Jaguar, and Braman Porsche Audi. During Ray’s retail automotive
career, of over twenty years, he earned national recognition by each Brand for exceeding sales objectives in those regions.
With Nissan North America Ray has served as the Commercial Advisor in the North East region assisting with the launch of
the Nissan NV line. His responsibilities include training and assisting over 60 dealerships across the northeast with: new
product launch, advertise, budget expenses, stock parts and inventory. He is expert in product knowledge field training,
business to business sales and new product launch. He has become the key in building the #1 region in the country and
has maintained such a strong field presence among his CVAMs that the region has achieved a #1 status for production
profit and customer satisfaction 25 of the last 27 months.
Education: Ray earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and played Division One baseball for
the college under the coaching of Bobbie Richardson. At Rutgers University he earned his MBA and has completed his first
segment in his PHD program at Columbia University.
Responsibilities: Manage, direct and control sales and marketing activities. Develop, manage and maintain Dealer
Agreements. Enforce the terms of the Dealer Agreements to ensure that Dealers conform to Company marketing, sales
and service standards. Supervise, coach, direct and control the activities of Regional Managers. Direct National training
programs.
19. Executive Management Team
Scott Rains, Mobility Design Consultant. Rains was New Mobility Magazine 2009 Person of the Year. Scott provides
design service and is a consultant to the travel & hospitality industry. He ensures that the travel industry provides resources
needed for Inclusive Tourism - a concept arising from the vigor of a global disability community that both enjoys and asserts
the right to full social inclusion. Inclusive Tourism is the systematic application of Universal Design by the travel and
hospitality industry at every stage of a product, service, or policy life cycle.
Education: B.A. in Linguistics from The University of Washington, M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Seattle University and a
Doctorate in Ministry from the Theological Foundation.
Responsibilities: Scott will ensure that the Quovis product line applies Universal Design, a framework for the design of
places, things, information, communication and policy to be usable by the widest range of people operating in the widest
range of situations without special or separate design. Most simply, Universal Design is human-centered design of
everything with everyone in mind. Rains will apply these Universal Design tests on the Quovis product line:
1. Equitable Use: The design does not disadvantage or stigmatize any user.
2. Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
3. Simple, Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's driving experience.
4. Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of abilities.
5. Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
6. Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue.
7. Size and Space for Approach & Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation & use.
20. Global market tests, focus group research,
and the product launch of the 1st
generation Quovis.
Please request a NCNDA to view the
Quovis Business Plan and 2nd generation
product line.