Michael Wilkinson, Founder and CEO

"When I founded Paragon Innovations, I envisioned a company that offered value-added, outsourced services to clients while also offering an innovative workplace for talented technology types," said Wilkinson. "Now, more than 12 years later, outsourcing has become an industry norm, and embedded systems are increasingly prevalent in technological devices, from portable insulin pumps to underwater robotics. What I started has become reality: to be a value-added resource for companies seeking hardware and software experts who design and develop sophisticated technology systems, shorten product life cycles, streamline research and development, and cut costs."

Michael R. Wilkinson is founder and chief executive officer. With more than 25 years of hardware and software experience in embedded systems design and development, Wilkinson, 42, leads Paragon's business strategy and vision, product design and development, and customer relations.

Since 1990, Wilkinson and his team have grown Paragon into one of the nation’s leading providers of outsourced technical expertise in designing, developing and documenting embedded systems. Customers include 3M, B  Braun Medical, Hitachi, Matsushita, and Motorola, among others.

Wilkinson serves on the Board of Directors the Metroplex Technology Business Council and serves on the Industrial Advisory Board for Texas A&M Engineering Department. Wilkinson is also a former chairman of the American Electronic Association's (AEA) North Texas CEO roundtable, and continues to serve on the steering committee of the organization. He participates as a member of the Dealey Advisory Council of CEOs and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce.

Wilkinson graduated in 1986 from Texas A&M University in College Station with an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering technology. At age 13, Wilkinson portrayed a natural talent for technology after winning a computer-programming contest sponsored by Dallas-based Southern Methodist University, even though he had never programmed a computer in his life. By age 14, between weekend yard work and school studies, Wilkinson provided computer consultation services to Dallas-area companies.

Wilkinson and his wife, Sandy, reside in Richardson, Texas. In addition to their successful workplace partnership, Sandy serves as the company’s vice president of finance and administration. They enjoy good wine, smooth sailing and scuba diving.