OUR STORY
Wave Dynamics is a proud Vanderbilt University startup. We have our roots in Nashville, TN and Wave was born on Broadway. Wave was founded by three college friends, Tommy Pennington, Logan Glazier, and Luke Rickers. They realized that the nightlife industry was the perfect industry to capitalize on the power of data analytics and experience-based marketing to solve core problems. The original idea behind Wave was simple: solving the line problem for high-value patrons.
However, the platform quickly grew to encompass next-generation artificial intelligence and data analytics tools. Wave Dynamics is on a mission to bring a technological revolution to the nightlife and hospitality industry.
Wave is a successful graduate of the intensive Ideator and Builder startup accelerator. Additionally, Wave represented Vanderbilt University at the 3686 Entrepreneurship Festival and the NEXT Awards Ceremony.
Chief Executive Officer
Tommy Pennington
Tommy is a strategic innovator. Specializing in venture architecture and new technology development, Tommy is skilled at bringing next-generation solutions from ideation to deployment. At Wave, Tommy leads our technology development programs and directs the execution of our strategic vision.
Tommy founded his first company, Pennington & Co., at the age of 16 to provide creative fabrication solutions to commercial and consumer clients. Since then, he founded the Vanderbilt Fusion Project to catalyze nuclear fusion research innovation at Vanderbilt University, and serves on the Vanderbilt Innovation Council to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem for the entire Mid-South region. Tommy has experience in private market investing (including venture capital and private equity) and startup strategy consulting. Additionally, Tommy is a certified scuba rescue diver, and is passionate about marine conservation and exploration.
MEET THE TEAM
Chief Operating Officer
Logan Glazier
Logan is an organizational leader. Logan is pursuing a civil engineering degree and specializes in operational excellence. Logan worked with Vanderbilt administration, faculty, plant operations, and residential experience teams as the President of East House, coordinating hundreds of hours of event programming and initiatives. Additionally, Logan was selected to re-launch a nonprofit community summer camp as the new Director of Epping Forest Summer Camp. As the director, Logan recruited a full staff team to support the program, worked with an operational budget of $65,000, managed the organization’s regulatory obligations, and led the community organization through his hands-on leadership. When he’s not streamlining organizations, Logan is involved in the sustainable living community and is currently converting a school bus into an off-grid exploratory vehicle and green living space.
Chief Marketing Officer
Luke Rickers
Luke is a skilled people specialist. Studying psychology and communications at Vanderbilt, Luke is passionate about building communities and leveraging human connections to accomplish meaningful projects. As the former president of the Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS), Luke directed student life for the entire student body of 1,250 students and worked to build a more interconnected and vibrant community. Additionally, he helped lead the way for his school throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, working as an orator for schoolwide events and collaborating with administration and other stakeholders to develop new initiatives and ideas. Luke has been very involved in sports management, honing his conflict resolution and team-building skills as a baseball umpire and team leader at MICDS. When he’s not forging new connections, Luke is driven to immerse himself in new experiences. Fluent in Spanish, Luke is passionate about international business and creating social ventures with real-world impact.
Engineers. Designers. Strategists. Wave.
Meet The Team
WE’VE WON SOME AWESOME AWARDS.
Sullivan Family Startup Accelerator
Builder Pitch Competition
1000 Pitches by VINES
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President & Founder
Luke Rickers
Luke is a skilled people specialist. Luke is passionate about building communities and leveraging human connections to accomplish meaningful projects. At Wave, Luke leads our growth strategy and marketing operations and maximizes outcomes for our partners.
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Tommy Pennington
Tommy is a strategic innovator. Specializing in venture architecture and new technology development, Tommy is skilled at bringing next-generation solutions from ideation to deployment. At Wave, Tommy leads our technology development programs and directs the execution of our strategic vision.
At Wave, we’re passionate about creating new solutions.
Wave Dynamics is a proud Vanderbilt University startup. We have our roots in Nashville, TN and Wave was born on Broadway. Wave's founders, Tommy Pennington & Luke Rickers, realized that the nightlife industry was the perfect industry to capitalize on the power of data analytics and experience-based marketing to solve core problems. The original idea behind Wave was simple: solving the line problem for high-value patrons.
However, the platform quickly grew to encompass next-generation artificial intelligence and data analytics tools. Wave Dynamics is on a mission to bring a technological revolution to the nightlife and hospitality industry.
Wave is a successful graduate of the intensive Ideator and Builder startup accelerator. Additionally, Wave represented Vanderbilt University at the 3686 Entrepreneurship Festival and the NEXT Awards Ceremony.
Product Lead
Trevor Jones
Trevor is an experienced product designer, with a specialization in human-centered design. Trevor's experiences include software engineering at JPMorgan Chase.
Frontend Engineering Lead
Nick Gebo
Nick is a talented frontend engineer, dedicated to delivering innovative, tactically built products. Nick's experiences include operations engineering at Neuralink and founding a gaming studio with over 1.8 million unique users.
Backend Engineering Lead
Aadi Bajpai
Aadi is a dedicated backend engineer, with deep domain expertise in building complex applications designed for growth. Aadi's experiences include financial software engineering at Apple.
UX Design Lead
Hyun Lee
Hyun is a driven UX designer, with a focus on creating powerful branding and engaging user experiences. Hyun's experiences include product design at Apple.
Marketing Lead
Sophia Potter
Sophia is a passionate marketing specialist and graphic designer. Sophia's past experiences include founding and operating a boutique clothing brand, Bohemian Empires.
Venture Strategy Analyst
Colin Pennington
Colin is a skilled venture architect and growth strategist. His past experiences include scaling an artisan fabrication firm, Pennington & Co., into a successful design studio.