Brian Ballard

Brian Ballard is a technologist and entrepreneur with extensive experience in augmented reality and its application within the industrial workforce. Ballard serves as senior vice president of product management and solution delivery for TeamViewer, focusing on integrating augmented reality solutions for frontline workers in retail, logistics, manufacturing, and service industries. His background includes government intelligence, enterprise software leadership, and entrepreneurship, providing a comprehensive perspective on the intersection of technology and the future of work.

Before transitioning to the private sector, Ballard developed technical expertise in high-stakes environments. He held roles such as vice president of product development at BTS and chief technology officer at ARES-SG, and spent more than a decade with the Department of Defense, where he worked on FPGA-based supercomputing and software intelligence fusion for counter-terrorism. Ballard also served a three-year appointment on the National Academy of Sciences Technology, Insight – Gauge, Evaluate, Review Committee. His experience in national security and advanced computing informs his approach to applying emerging technologies to complex operational challenges.

Ballard co-founded Upskill (formerly APX Labs), a company recognized for developing industrial applications of wearable technology. Upskill’s "Skylight" AR platform enabled real-time connectivity for frontline workers, providing access to critical information and tools. The company received recognition from Gartner, IDC, and the World Economic Forum, and worked with clients such as The Boeing Company, Merck KGaA, and American Bureau of Shipping. Upskill attracted investment from organizations including Boeing HorizonX, GE Ventures, Accenture, and Cisco.

TeamViewer acquired Upskill, expanding its capabilities in augmented reality for frontline workers. The acquisition allowed TeamViewer to support smart glasses and handheld device applications for equipment inspection and workforce optimization, with clients including Boeing and Merck KGaA. Under Ballard’s leadership, the "Frontline" AR platform has been deployed globally, including in smart factories such as Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore, where it supports product inspection, logistics, equipment maintenance, and employee training.

Ballard has been recognized for his contributions to the extended reality industry, including induction into The Augmented World Expo XR Hall of Fame. He has contributed to books, publications, and patents related to wearable computing. As a keynote speaker on technology, entrepreneurship, STEM, and industrial innovation, Ballard is known for his engineering expertise and leadership in the augmented reality sector.