Fayetteville?s Fortune Apparent

The fact that Virtual Satellite apparently will work is big-time news for Fayetteville. Friedman said he intends to keep VSC’s development and manufacturing operations in the city. The technology will require mass production of several pieces of hardware including small antennas and TV set-top box components.

VSC started a wave of local venture capital interest when it found 12 local investors, including University of Arkansas Athletic Director J. Frank Broyles, to get it rolling with $3 million in seed money. Some of the other investors whose confidence helped to keep VSC in Northwest Arkansas include Athletic World Advertising President Gregg Ogden and prominent developers Jim Lindsey, Mark Marquess, Vic Evans, Gary Brandon and Greg House.

John Maquire, the former chief financial officer of Tyson Foods Inc. and current Fayetteville city comptroller, is VSC’s CFO. Bob Winkleman is VSC’s chief marketing officer.