Burbank, CA – Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) announced today that Rob McHenry, a proven leader of technology strategy and operations, will join the Company as Head of Ventures, Sphere, effective May 4.
In this role, Mr. McHenry will lead Sphere’s frontier technology initiatives, identifying and developing disruptive technologies that drive Sphere toward new immersive experiences and beyond. Reporting to Jim Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Entertainment, Mr. McHenry will help define Sphere’s innovation agenda, evaluate and pursue strategic investments, and lead the development of rapid prototypes to explore new concepts. He will work closely across engineering, product, content, and business teams, as well as Sphere Studios, to develop and implement these advanced technologies.
“Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Sphere,” said Mr. Dolan. “Rob’s experience exploring advanced technologies and turning them into real-world capabilities will be an asset as we continue to push the boundaries of immersive experiences at Sphere.”
“Sphere is an example of what is possible when disruptive vision and advanced technology are brought together to make something fundamentally new,” said Mr. McHenry. “I look forward to working with the Sphere leadership team to explore the frontiers of immersive technology, experiment boldly, and build a pipeline that redefines the power of the shared experience.”
Mr. McHenry is the former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) – the iconic innovation engine behind generations of world-changing technologies. In his role, he led overall strategy, technical diligence, and operations for the $4B agency with a portfolio averaging 300 programs spanning basic science, biotech, microelectronics, quantum technologies, cyber and AI, strategic systems, and operational prototyping.
Prior to DARPA, McHenry advised SilverLining on strategies at the intersection of atmospheric science and national security. His previous experience also includes being the founder and CEO of Bright Silicon Technologies, where he pioneered the commercialization of advanced optical control technology, and serving as the COO at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) driving reliable business models to deliver disruptive innovation. Earlier in his career he was a Program Manager at DARPA, launching and leading several landmark technology programs. Mr. McHenry began his career as a nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. McHenry received a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
About Sphere Entertainment Co.
Sphere Entertainment Co. is a leader in immersive experiences, technology and media. The Company includes Sphere, an experiential medium powered by advanced technologies. The first Sphere opened in Las Vegas, with plans also announced for Sphere venues in Abu Dhabi and National Harbor. In addition, the Company includes MSG Networks, which operates two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG Sportsnet, as well as a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming product, MSG+, delivering a wide range of live sports content and other programming. More information is available at sphereentertainmentco.com.
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