Back in the 1980's Jerry founded Sirius Software, Inc. which was the leading producer of home computer games and graphics software. Sirius published over 160 titles.
The Sirius Software Booth at the Chicago CES show in 1982. We set up 40 computers at the show and they each had a line for 3 days straight.
Shortly after the internet became public (1993) Jerry started the company WebDudes, Inc., which was both a website design as well as a website hosting company. WebDudes specialized in MacOS Web Servers, Filemaker Pro driven websites and 3D interactive design. About the same time Jerry established an Apple Computer sales business specializing in sales of graphic design systems to print shops and designers. This business was called "The Graphics Division" and expanded into sales of graphic design systems to various government entities including state and federal departments.
While running The Graphics Division Jerry was appointed by the State of California to it's Prison Advisory Board to recommend the products, training and other services needed by the Prison Industry Authority (aka "California State Government Printing Services"). Jerry won many large bids from the PIA and installed computers in about a dozen state prisons and trained both guards and inmates on advanced graphic design and color printing techniques.
A couple of years later Jerry purchased the Apple Computer dealership "AVC Computers" in Rocklin, California and moved Webdudes into the same offices. AVC Computers was closed when Apple forced all of it's independent dealers out of business. WebDudes was also sold at the same time.
In 2002 Jerry founded The Jewell Performing Arts Center, Inc. which was a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation with a goal of getting teens more invloved with the arts. The major project was "ScaryU" which was an after school program to teach teens how to design, build and run a haunted house as a business. Many of the students that graduated ScaryU stayed in the theme park business after high school graduation. ScaryU won multiple awards including twice winning the prestigious "Best Haunt Award" (in the world) from Haunt Magazine.
It was amazing that a haunted house with only a 40' x 40' concrete pad and a $3000 budget beat every other haunted house in the country twice.
Jerry's involvement with the ScaryU program ended in 2005 when he became very ill and was diagnosed with Lupus. ScaryU was then incoporated into HeartStoppers Haunt run by Joel Watson. HeartStoppers still operates in Rancho Cordova and is one of the best haunted attractions in the world.
Jerry is best known recently for founding the company Skulltronix. Skulltronix creates amazing animatronic characters. Skulltronix won the Transworld Haunted Attraction Show "Best Product Award" as well as other industry awards.
You can find the Skulltronix videos at https://www.youtube.com/@skulltronix.
As of April 2024 Skulltronix now has new owners based in Omaha, NB.
The House of Pain animation on the Skulltronix Skeletron. Voice and script by Mike Fox.
Jerry also started the Rancho Cordova Holiday Light Parade, which was on it's way to becoming a major event in Northern California before disagreement with the City Council caused Jerry to walk away from the event.
The following is the "Banner-Ball" Parade float. The banners are still available but the Ball was sold in 2022.
Among other projects, Jerry now creates unique parade floats. These one-person drivable illuminated parade floats are each one of a kind and can be customized for every customer or parade theme.
Old Guy animatronic on a Trike singing "All I want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth". Remote controlled. Has built-in list of songs that can be chosen by the operator/driver.
This LifeGuard Stand parade float was used one year in the local July 4th parade. The control joystick was on the right arm rest. The theme was "water".
The Statue of Liberty parade float was used one year in the local July 4th parade. The control joystick was in the book. The costume was handmade. As was the costume and stilts for Uncle Sam.
This was a simple Christmas Tree that was worn as a costume while riding a mini-Segway. The crowds loved it!
It inspired the "Bands Tree" and the "DisabilitTree" which followed.
The next float is called the Disabilitree because it is built upon an electric wheelchair. Certain wheelchairs make excellent parade float bases because they are very stable and run for hours.
Here is the ball in fog! Fog adds tremendously to the lighting effects but fog is difficult to use if there's a breeze or if the lights are on a float.
This is the top half of the Sputnik/Bands Float. It spins at speeds up to 20 rpm.
The Infinity is not a float but a variation of the infinity sphere theme. It was sold in 2021.
Unlike other versions it does not have the dark frame around it.
The video below shows the Bands float with a Jester on top and the Disabilitree at the 2022 Mardi Gras Parade in Sacramento, CA. The Sputnik later replaced the Jester.
The Sputnik/Bands Float at Mardi Gras Sacramento 2023.
The video below is the Good Day Sacramento show's coverage of Jerry's floats
a few days before the Rancho Cordova Light Parade.
The very short video below is shows several of the muppet-style characters that Jerry creates. These 4 characters are mounted on a motorized trike that is remotely controlled as it drives around. Like all of Jerry's creations they are easily programmable via low-cost or free software and they run off of inexpensive Raspberry Pi computers. This float is available.
The next video is the Fire Dog. It is also remotely controlled and can be easily programmed.
The next video shows Linda Budge, the Rancho Cordova Mayor, trying out the Disabilitree.
The next video shows Jerry's latest project "The Rocket".
This one-person parade float is driven via a joystick and has a range of about 10 miles.
The lights and sound are controlled via a Raspberry Pi running the free open source FPP software.
A tablet mounted on the left side has a simple touch display to control music, sound effects and lighting.
The 8 sound-active star projectors shine thousands of star on the ground while the LED rings and rear flames are controlled by the FPP software.
A massive sound system consisting of a 400 watt amp, 8 pioneer 3 way speakers and 2 8" subwoofers pump out the music and sound effects.
The motorized base is a current version of a common Invacare electric wheelchair. The base has it's own batteries while the lights, sound and computer all run off a separate 50AH Lipo battery. All of the sound/music and lighting effects are easily modified via the Xlights/FPP software, as is the control panel on the tablet.
This float would be a great advertisement system for many types of companies and products. This float was just completed and is available for purchase.
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This is where Parade Magic displays their art. This art is unique because is exciting to see and is also highly mobile. Each uniques art piece is a parade float and a way for disabled persons to be able to directly participate in events that they are normally excluded from by their disabilites. We build unique one-person parade floats that are creatively designed and illuminated with the latest in technology. |
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