Lorenzo Gallo
Chief Executive Officer
NextWave/NXR
Lorenzo is the founder and CEO of NextWave Safety Solutions, combining technology with data-driven analytics for comprehensive risk management. A safety expert with a strong background in finance, he's presented to Congress and advises both government agencies and international clients on safety innovation.
Lorenzo graduated from the Wharton School and brings a unique perspective shaped by his experiences as a 9/11 First Responder and survivor of both cancer and the volatile Wall Street environment of the early 90s. His resilience and forward-thinking approach drive NextWave's mission to revolutionize safety management through technology, making workplaces safer while optimizing operational efficiency.
Robert Simoni
Chief Financial Officer
NextWave/NXR
Robert brings over 20 years of accounting and corporate finance expertise to NextWave Safety, serving as CFO since the company's inception in 2017. He oversees all financial activities and operations while playing a key role in strategic planning and business development. Previously, Robert evaluated risk at an international leasing firm and worked with investment bank Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette and their acquirer Credit Suisse.
Throughout his career, he has provided accounting and financial consulting to businesses across diverse industries and sits on the board of directors for several companies, bringing valuable governance expertise. Robert holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Villanova University and an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business.
Gary Foreman
Chief Technology Officer
NXR
Gary offers 35+ years of experience developing video game and VR products, bringing unparalleled technical vision to NextWave Safety. As CTO, he combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership and business acumen throughout the development lifecycle. Gary has consistently built high-performing engineering teams, managed complex technical projects from conception to deployment, and navigated rapidly evolving technology landscapes with agility.
His innovative approach drives NextWave's technological advancement while ensuring solutions meet the highest standards of engagement and effectiveness. With experience founding and leading technology ventures, Gary brings entrepreneurial insight to product development, creating immersive training experiences that transform how companies approach safety and compliance.
Chris Layfield
Chief Product Officer
NXR
Chris brings extensive operational leadership experience, managing cross-functional design and engineering teams since 2008. His background spans maritime vessel construction, safety training, and regulatory compliance, where he deployed complex systems and led sea trial teams in the megayacht domain. Since 2016, he's specialized in safety technology and immersive solutions, beginning to focus on enterprise XR development in 2018.
After joining NextWave in 2022, Chris has successfully developed and deployed multiple solutions across various domains, spearheading the integration of NLP and AI across user experiences. His unique combination of safety expertise and product leadership enables him to bridge technical capabilities with real-world safety applications, delivering solutions that are both innovative and practical.
Eric Garner
Senior Technical Program Manager
NXR
Eric is a seasoned Technical Program Manager specializing in Virtual Reality training, instructional design, and high-tech systems implementation. Drawing from his diverse experience in semiconductor technology, Navy nuclear engineering, and VR simulation development, he leads multidisciplinary teams at NXR creating impactful XR solutions.
Eric excels at translating complex technical requirements into cohesive development roadmaps, ensuring projects deliver maximum value while meeting stringent safety and compliance standards. His technical background and hands-on approach enable him to effectively coordinate designers, developers, and subject matter experts to create immersive training experiences that elevate safety training and operational effectiveness across diverse industries from construction to manufacturing.
Stu Brown
Strategic Advisor
Stu brings 20+ years of global expertise across Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability and commercial strategy. His unique career path from the Royal Air Force through senior HSE roles to executive leadership combines operational discipline with commercial insight. Stu has led cross-functional teams across oil & gas, mining, manufacturing, entertainment, and life sciences, implementing governance frameworks aligned with ISO, NEBOSH, OSHA, and CSP standards.
In commercial leadership roles, he's built high-performing sales teams and spearheaded business development efforts across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions, consistently delivering multimillion-dollar revenue growth. His data-driven mindset and strategic outlook have made him a trusted advisor to C-level stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and multinational partners.
Corey Bruce
Strategic Advisor
With nearly 20 years at the intersection of environmental health & safety, go-to-market strategy, and growth equity, Corey helps businesses scale responsibly in highly regulated industries. He specializes in OSHA compliance training and e-learning programs designed to reduce risk and improve safety outcomes for frontline workers.
Having led high-growth sales organizations, he's built go-to-market engines that drive adoption of EHS platforms, SaaS solutions, and compliance-as-a-service offerings. His work spans safety training, incident reporting, safety observations, and insurance claims management. As founder of Sozo Advisors, Corey brings deep expertise in scaling commercial operations, improving portfolio performance, and navigating M&As, helping businesses grow safely and compliantly with lasting impact.