January 16, 2009

Alumnus Founds Laboratory to Improve the Quality of Life for Veterans

Jon Monett, a Cal Poly 1964 industrial engineering alumnus, recently donated $500,000 from the Monett Foundation to the College of Engineering.

These funds will be directed towards the Quality of Life Plus Laboratory (QL+), a multidisciplinary facility dedicated to the development and application of technology to improve the quality of life of wounded and disabled veterans of the military, law enforcement and intelligence organizations.

A veteran of both the U.S. Air Force and a 26-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency, Monett envisions QL+ as becoming an important center, where Cal Poly students and military develop life-enhancing products and techniques for those who have served their country.

During his years with the CIA, Monett focused on developing tools for the collection of intelligence. He rose in the agency to the position of senior executive. On his return to civilian life, Monett started a company that became known as Telemus Solutions, a global security consulting and intelligence advisory services provider.

"When I sold Telemus last July, I started to think about ways to acknowledge the role Cal Poly played in my life and to show my appreciation for the men and women who, in the course of serving their country, have been wounded or disabled," said Monett.

"The lab is needed because companies tend to focus on products with high revenue potential, but often the problems affecting vets are much smaller. I want to give Cal Poly students-who are so good at solving problems-the opportunity to initially focus on prosthesis. QL+ is the first step and will hopefully open the door for others to join this effort."

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