Brian and Barbara Cullen

Dr. Brian D. Cullen was born in Bronx, New York and graduated from St. Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic School in 1958. After receiving an undergraduate degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1962, he went on to earn a Master’s degree in Electrophysics from The Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1967. He began his career at Wheeler Laboratories in Great Neck, New York, in 1962, where he worked on development of the first laser-radar system which returned position as well as infrared images for battlefield use.

In 1971, Dr. Cullen moved to Florida to work for Harris and led the team that developed the very first adaptive communication system. Accomplishing this involved the development of packet-switched, digital communications which were precursors of the cellular networks of today. He also led teams that developed special antennas for planetary exploration. Antennas for Voyager, Mariner and Galileo were among some of the products of this effort.

In 1985, Dr. Cullen accepted the position of General Manager for the Greenville Division of E-Systems. While at E-Systems he initiated creative programs which supported award-winning robotics programs for local high school students, and developed the first Executive-In-Residence program for Texas A&M University-Commerce. After Raytheon acquired E-Systems, he was appointed Executive Vice President of Raytheon Systems overseeing 35,000 employees around the world. After retiring in 1998, he founded ComCept in 1999, a high-tech company specializing in harnessing the power of networks and the internet to develop integrated intelligence reports for national command leaders. This successful company was acquired by L-3 Communications Integrated Systems in 2002.

In 2005 The Cullen Family Foundation established the Columbia Crew Memorial Scholarship in memory of the seven-member crew of the Columbia space shuttle. Dr. Cullen and his family toured the Science Building while it was under construction and Dr. Cullen was invited to write a message on one of the concrete columns, before it was covered, for future generations. He wrote: “Keep your eyes on the stars!” In 2012, the scholarship was renamed and the criteria were modified to benefit members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in honor of Mrs. Cullen, a former Phi Theta Kappa student.

Dr. and Mrs. Cullen were named “Champions of the Child” for their contributions to the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas. They are major benefactors of the Hunt Regional Healthcare Foundation, the Hunt Regional Medical Center of Greenville as well as other civic and religious organizations.

In December, 2012, Brian Cullen was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Texas A&M University-Commerce in honor of his accomplishments and his support of the Northeast Texas area.

Dr. Cullen lives in Hunt County with Barbara, his wife of 50 years. They have 5 children and 16 grandchildren.