About Us

For over half a century, Potentials Inc. has been the leading provider of refurbishment services and newly designed high-voltage insulators (bushings) to the most advanced research and semiconductor companies in the world. The knowledgeable team at Potentials combines decades of experience in the field and on the manufacturing line, as well as an academic background in physics to ensure every product is performance-driven and of the highest quality.

The Potentials product portfolio features over 60 products, including new and refurbished high-voltage insulators, refurbished accelerator tubes, and new feedthroughs. Within this portfolio, our expertise in design and material selection aid in the dimensioning, shielding capability, vacuum performance, and surface finishing of our parts.

MILSTONES

BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR COMPANY

1969

Potentials, Inc. was founded in 1969 by Joseph Peoples, while working as an engineer in a research lab in Austin, Texas

1970s

Potentials developed an economical method for refurbishing the very large glass and aluminum accelerator columns then used in research particle accelerators.

1980s

Potentials developed a method for refurbishing the resin and aluminum, and ceramic and stainless steel accelerator tubes used in early versions of medium current ion implanters. This refurbishment service for older ion implanters is still in use today.

1990s-2000s

As the use of resin-based insulators became more common in ion implanters, Potentials developed methods for refurbishment of these insulators, and then began making them as new parts. In each case, the design of a new insulator was based on years of experience in repairing the same type of insulator. New insulators therefore include improved shapes and materials to assure their enhanced performance.

Today

Potentials, Inc. continues to offer refurbishment services and parts to particle accelerator users, and to the full line of ion implanter types, old and new. The improvements included in our new source insulators for ion implanters are used to extend the life and performance the newest implanters in use.

Leadership

Robert Wahrmund

Robert Wahrmund attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1971 and then continued at UT to earn an MBA in 1975. He joined Potentials in 1989 after working for several years at the Texas Medical Foundation. Since joining, Bob has contributed to the expansion of Potentials’ business. Though the company had initially focused on customers in the United States, Bob spearheaded networking efforts in Europe and Asia to secure a global customer base. Bob also diversified the business model of Potentials by moving beyond the refurbishment service into the development of new and enhanced source insulators. While the business still maintains its initial core capability in refurbishment, the latter developments have accounted for a majority of Potentials’ growth over the past two decades.

Joshua Wahrmund

Joshua Wahrmund earned his bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004. He continued at the University of North Texas to earn a master’s degree in 2010 and a Ph.D. in 2012. Josh’s academic work focused on the material science and engineering of polymer systems, and this eventually led him into a research and development role with INVISTA, a subsidiary of Koch Industries. Josh spent over six years with INVISTA and contributed to the development of various patents and projects—oil and gas pipelines, engineering resins, fibers, and recycled plastic products. Josh joined Potentials in 2020 and has already contributed to the development of the company’s newest line of products. He looks forward to growing the marketing, production, and technical capabilities of Potentials to aid in the company’s further expansion.

Ave Wahrmund

Ave Wahrmund has worked at Potentials, Inc. at various points since her father founded the company. She and her sister, Elizabeth Foley, took over ownership in 1990. Ave currently serves as the COO, managing accounts receivable, accounts payable, human resources and facilities. She also serves as Board Chair for Potentials providing leadership in finance, management and organization. Ave earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1978 and went on to teach kindergarten for 12 years for the Austin Independent School District. In 1998, she was elected to the Austin ISD School Board serving two terms, including as secretary and vice president. In parallel, Ave owned and operated a Jazzercise franchise from 1997-2014. Her education, business and service background combine to bring a leadership style that has proven to be invaluable to the operations of Potentials, and the growth of the business overall.