In 1968, Leeds and Northrup Company was serving the electric utility industry with all types of measuring devices, meters, recorders, and other electronic-based equipment. Several years earlier they began offering computer-based systems to assist in managing utility energy operations….its generation, transmission, distribution, and usage. Their vision was to have a centralized system, subsequently called the “master station”, connected via land-based communications media (leased lines, direct wiring, and telephony were all that existed then) to remotely located data acquisition and control equipment, subsequently called a Remote Terminal Unit or “RTU”. The RTU would obtain temperatures, levels, flows, etc. and the status of discrete devices, and could actuate control devices, breakers, switches, etc. based on signals from the master station. The term “SCADA System” was applied to this collection of equipment, which stood for “Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System” -- a technology today that is used throughout the world in utilities, telecommunications, dams and flood control, computerized manufacturing, train and traffic control, mining, and numerous other applications.

Some of the pioneering individuals that conceived and implemented this SCADA system technology were the same folks that founded Macro Corporation:

• Brad Schultz – the company’s first President
• John Chang
• Sy Skolnick
• Ed Cooper
• Dan Rossiter

They were among the first “IT professionals” in the USA to implement, and then install in 1966, a fully functional SCADA system. They were rapidly followed by others who became industry experts for translating their hands-on, manpower-intensive, utility operations expertise into “functions” that a new technology just emerging during that time -- the “computer” -- could perform, only better.

George Peterman, Macro’s current President, joined Macro in 1970, and while at Macro was instrumental in assisting Leeds and Northrup Company, Bailey Meter Company, Pennsylvania Power and Light Company, and Combustion Engineering in designing and implementing early versions of computer-based monitoring and control systems for utility operations used in generating plants. Over his years at Macro, George has helped to bring measurable value to many of the clients found in our long portfolio.

Fred Martino, our firm’s Vice President, was also involved in these early computer-based systems for utility companies. Fred designed and implemented one of the first analog video display systems, and subsequently became instrumental in defining “man-machine interface” standards for them. Fred also led Macro’s first transit consulting assignment in 1979 for Metro North Railroad. Today, Fred is a well known expert in the rail transit industry, focusing on centralized traffic control systems, transit operating control centers, and the integration of all supporting systems operated from the control center.