Joe Hice (left) Director of Marketing and Bill Stone,Commercial and National Account Sales for Segway® Personal Transporter.

History is resplendent with people who leave their mark on our world, yet they never seek the fame, publicity, or recognition that instinctively follows their accomplishments. They just do things that come naturally, and that somebody has a need for. One such man is Dean Kamen, a self-taught physicist and entrepreneur.

Dean Kamen is the Chairman and Founder of Segway LLC, the company that developed and manufactures the increasingly popular Segway® Human Transporter (HT). Kamen was already known as a prolific inventor of medical instruments and robotic devices.

Kamen invented the first portable insulin pump, improved the stent used to repair the heart of Vice President Dick Cheney, and the INDEPENDENCE™ IBOT™ Mobility System, a wheelchair that allows users to climb stairs and raise themselves upright.

Kamen is probably most proud to be known as the founder of FIRST - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology - a non-profit program to inspire in young people an appreciation of science and technology. The organization sponsors a national competition where teams of young people and professionals solve an engineering challenge. Kamen’s ultimate goal is to have scientists and inventors become national heroes, instead of the sports stars that many kids idolize. Quoted in a recent magazine article, Kamen said, “Our culture celebrates one thing: sports heroes. You have teenagers thinking they’re going to make millions as NBA stars when that’s not realistic for even one percent of them. Becoming a scientist or engineer is.”

Segway LLC has launched an aggressive program to introduce the self-balancing human transporter as the ideal mode of transportation for active RVers who want to get around the campground, RV resort, or run a few errands around town.

Joe Hice, Segway’s Director of Marketing Communications and Chief Marketing Officer, has extensive experience in recreational products. Hice noted, “Prospects have to see it and use it, before they believe in it and buy it.” The company began their campaign to expand distribution of the Segway HT in January 2004. Prior to that, the unique personal transportation device was only available through Amazon.com, Brookstone or through the company.