Mark T. Rafter

Mark Rafter is an American entrepreneur, speaker, author and technology consultant.

History

After beginning his college education in Psychology, Rafter received his Bachelors of Science (1983) and Masters of Science (1990) degrees in Electrical Engineering from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He spent the earlier part of his engineering career designing and building communications networks, initially working on DoD-based systems for the Hughes Aircraft Company and later moving into commercial wireless and satellite applications with L-3 Communications and Loral Space and Communications.

He is the co-author of five patents1 in the areas of Code Division Multiple Access communications and broadband file transfer over satellite.

After more than 20 years working solely in the technology industry, Rafter began starting his own companies and exploring a wide area of business and investing opportunities as a full time entrepreneur.

Technology

Hughes Aircraft

While at Hughes Aircraft, Rafter spent several years modeling and optimizing Internet based routing algorithms for use in the highly dynamic topologies of tactical and strategic command and control networks. He is the author and co-author of more than a dozen papers presented at various industry events, including the 1989 MORS 2 symposium held at West Point where his paper received a Best Paper nomination.

Neognosis Inc.

In 2000, Rafter founded Neognosis (from the Greek for ‘new knowledge’) Inc., a technology consulting firm specializing in the areas of wireless and satellite communications network design and services. Neognosis clients have included Pan Am Sat, Liberate Technologies, Boeing, Northrop-Grumman, Questiny Group, and Lockheed Martin among others.

Boeing Digital Cinema

Digital cinema refers to the use of digital technology to distribute and project motion pictures. In 2001, Rafter was the original Chief Engineer for the Boeing Digital Cinema project and led the design effort to build a working prototype system for delivering fully digitized movies over satellite into theaters. The Boeing DC system was used to transmit the original Spy Kids movie, directed by Robert Rodriguez, to the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure where it was subsequently shown in the first all digital premiere of a first run Hollywood movie. Subsequent major motion picture broadcasts using the Boeing system included Signs, Spy Kids 2, and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

Subsequent to the Boeing Digital Cinema effort, Rafter participated in the Preliminary and Critical Design phases of the MUOS satellite system design, working for Lockheed Martin, the MUOS prime contractor to the US Navy.

Real Estate

In 2003, Rafter became a licensed California real estate broker and founded the Pacific Realty Network3 LLC, a full service real estate brokerage firm. He is a member of both the California Association of Realtors (CAR)4 and the National Association of Realtors (NAR)5. In 2005, Rafter became a bonded auctioneer in the state of California and continues as a member in good standing of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA). In December 2003, Rafter completed the course training for the NAA’s Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate Certification (AARE) and established The Auction Broker6 (a DBA for Pacific Realty Network), specializing in residential real estate auctions in Northern California.

Rafter is the author of Real Estate Investing 101: Getting Started and a specialist in the Subject-To form of real estate investing. He is currently a co-owner of Cash Now USA7 LLC with John “Cash” Locke and continues to actively invest in real estate.

Arts

Ceramics

Rafter spent many years studying ceramics both during and after the completion of his engineering degrees. After a brief period of study with Paul Soldner, one of the “fathers’ of contemporary American ceramics, Rafter developed a considerable interest in lower temperature firing techniques including Raku and low salt. He is currently the Marketing Director for Hand and Spirit Clayworks, a ceramics and glass mosaic company founded and owned by his wife Marsha Rafter.

Voice Acting

Rafter is a talented, albeit largely unknown, voice actor, capable of accurately imitating over 100 different accents, actors and fictional movie and cartoon characters. His voice talents can be heard on his website, The Voices Inside My Head8.

Author

Rafter is the founder and President of Mark Rafter Productions, a business coaching and media production company. He is an active public speaker and an expert in the area of wealth creation. His forthcoming book The Wealth Manifesto: Passion, Prosperity and Purpose9 will be published in October 2007.