It was the 1980s when SCRAM inventor and AMS Co-Founder Jeff Hawthorne began working on his vision to create the world’s very first transdermal alcohol testing system. Inspired by the death of a college friend who was killed by a five-time drunk driver, Jeff had the foresight to identify a compelling market need for a different way to monitor drunk drivers. And he had the engineering savvy to make it a reality.
He started it all in his basement and garage, ala Apple, HP, and Google. A decade later, Hollywood made his “little invention” a household name.
While Jeff understood the need for courts to have a better monitoring technology, I’m not sure he fully realized the indelible mark his “headphone-style” anklet would make on the lives of the people sentenced to wear it. Make no mistake—not everyone gives it glowing reviews. But we’ve heard from literally thousands of people who’ve worn his invention and believe it’s made a positive impact on their lives. In only the first few months on the market we began to hear that clients were thanking judges for ordering them on the SCRAM Bracelet. And some were asking if they could KEEP WEARING one, even after their court-required sentence was up.
We’ve managed to capture one of our client’s more compelling stories on video. Today this man, Ron, with a lifelong alcohol addiction, counsels U.S. Military Veterans facing the same challenges. His life was truly changed by Jeff’s technology, and today Ron is paying it forward. As of this afternoon we’ve monitored 349,723 people. I wonder how many of them are also paying it forward.
Today, we lost Jeff after a valiant 6 1/2 year battle with cancer. He leaves a beautiful wife, Liz, and three amazing boys, all of whom work or have worked, in some capacity, at our company. It’s truly a family affair.
Our company tagline is Making a Difference. I think most would agree he’s made a profound difference. Two years ago AMS filmed this video, below, marking our Ten Years of Excellence in the marketplace, and it includes some time with Jeff.
Jeff, you are missed beyond measure.
