COVER STORY

Retired military man and certified fitness trainer, Guy Parrault, leads his group in stretches as part of an early morning workout at Pease. Deb Cram photo

Michael Gray was inspired to launch Global Relief Technologies, a private firm based at Pease International Tradeport, out of a frustration with a lack of communication tools in the field. Too often, he said, people are forced to rely on voice-based communication or pen and paper.

“We’ve learned to keep it simple,” said Gray, president and chief executive officer. In the field, where the environment can be intense and stressful, ease of operation is high priority, he said.

Global Relief Technologies provides real-time situational awareness of crisis-affected areas or populations to disaster relief workers and rescuers. In short, the company helps first-responders navigate in the worst of conditions.

The technology, patented as Rapid Data Management System, was deployed to New Orleans in response to the Hurricane Katrina flooding. With hand-held digital devices and satellite communications and imaging, the experts at Global Relief Technologies can provide people in the field the best information available and collect and analyze data back at the Portsmouth headquarters.

“The idea is really no more Katrinas,” Gray said.

Global Relief Technologies has a diverse client base, home and abroad, that includes the American Red Cross, National Guard, Raytheon, and the United Nations.

A sign of its success in 2007: Global Relief Technologies was a finalist for the “product of the year” award presented by the New Hampshire High Technology Council.

Michael Gray, chief executive officer of Global Relief Technologies. Amy Root-Donle photo

Wellness growth

Health and wellness continues to be all the rage, as indicated by the growth in personal trainers in the Seacoast.

One of them, Guy Perreault, owner of Seacoast Boot Camp, has had such consumer interest that he launched a new program in July called “Warrior Fitness Training,” an extreme workout for a select number of people.

“I’ve kind of gone a little different route,” said Perreault, a veteran and Army-certified master fitness trainer. “The personal fitness market is really taking off.”

Seacoast Boot Camp has “recruits” from varying backgrounds and abilities. It’s a basic program using the military manual, where people train indoors and outdoors, and there are no trappings of the modern-day gym, such as treadmills or stationary bicycles.

Personal fitness is part of a sector focusing on personal needs, everything from cleaning to concierge services for busy business people and families. Seacoast businesses carve out a niche, whether it’s pamper people or pets, as evidenced by the popularity of health clubs and spas for people or the likes of pets frequenting Club Canine Dog Wash and Day Spa.

“I think people are getting more creative in their business ideas,” said Ginny Griffith, business development manager at the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. “It’s been consistent and steady growth.”

The outlook

The news last month of Dell buying EqualLogic for $1.4 billion had everyone in New Hampshire’s tech industry smiling.

The data storage network company is based in Nashua. The sale was a combination of forces at play, according to Fred Kocher, president of the New Hampshire High Technology Council. As he put it, the acquisition was about the right team with the right product at the right time with the right market.

“We have a number of small, potentially world-class companies in New Hampshire like EqualLogic,” he said. “That puts the New Hampshire technology sector on the map.”

Kocher says a number of tech companies are poised for growth in 2008. But the forecast may not be all sunny skies. He returns to work force needs. Technology companies cannot find engineers and technicians to replace baby boomers who are retiring, though some are persuading older workers to work a little longer, he said.

“It’s what I call the big squeeze,” he said.

In response, the High Technology Council is teaming up with higher education institutions to promote career opportunities, including a new Web site in 2008 to inspire young people to intern at New Hampshire tech companies.