VirTra Appoints New CEO

Bob Ferris will step down from his position as VirTra's Executive Chairman and will depart as a director. The Board has appointed CEO John Givens as the new Chairman of the Board. Both changes are effective July 12, 2024. Bob Ferris will continue to support VirTra as a member of its Advisory Board.

Additionally, the company is actively identifying new independent directors to further strengthen the Board and support VirTra’s success.

“We are deeply grateful to Bob for his visionary leadership and the foundational role he played in establishing VirTra as a leader in virtual training,” said Givens. “Bob is widely acknowledged as a pioneer in the simulation industry, with his innovative approach dating back to the 1990s. His technological expertise has resulted in highly effective, differentiated training systems that elevate law enforcement and military training worldwide, earning him a revered spot in The National Center for Simulation Hall of Fame. Under his guidance, VirTra developed groundbreaking technologies such as the world’s first 5-screen, 300-degree training simulator, Threat-Fire return fire, patented recoil kits, V-Author, V3 volumetric capture studio, and a host of other ‘world’s firsts’. These innovations have made VirTra a leader in training solutions, supporting agencies across more than 40 countries. We look forward to building on Bob’s legacy and his continued support on VirTra’s Advisory Board.”

Givens has served as sole CEO of VirTra since August 2023, after serving as co-CEO alongside Ferris starting in May 2022. Givens has been a member of VirTra’s Board of Directors since November 2020. Previously, Givens helped to start, grow and sell a company in the military simulation market for $200 million. Under his leadership, VirTra has achieved significant milestones, including the consolidation of production into a state-of-the-art facility to streamline operations and boost production efficiency; progress in capturing military end-market opportunities; and the introduction of the V-XR headset-based training platform.