Meet the Team
About Bifrost Electronics
The efforts of very smart people have made high-quality qubits a reality. Until recently, the ability for quantum computing to gain an advantage was limited by the quality of the QPUs that we could build, but that is not true anymore. Today, the ultimate utility of a quantum computer is limited by the number of qubits we can pack in a fridge.
Therefore, not only do we need to make our qubits smaller, we need to make all the devices that surround the qubit smaller to pack more of them into a tighter space.
Qubit builders have done a great job getting us this far, but we need to help them get across the line. Bifrost Electronic’s mission is to pick up the torch so that researchers and physicists can realistically get us closer to fulfilling the quantum computing promise.
Our Team
Zenith Tillemann-Dick
Growth oriented - Zenith brings a track record in tech and software startups to the frontier of quantum infrastructure. His focus is on domestic manufacturing, building durable systems, and advancing U.S. leadership in critical technologies.
Outside of work, Zenith boxes, bakes, and maintains a small menagerie of pets.
Affiliations: Clipboard
School: William and Mary
Connor Denney
Engineer, inventor, and scientist, Connor thrives at the intersection of quantum optics, microwave engineering, and quantum computing. He’s driven by a passion for pushing technical boundaries to help solve enduring global challenges. Outside the lab, Connor likes to hike, bake, and play the violin.
Affiliations: NIST
School: Colorado School of Mines
Logan Pauli
Part physicist, part businessman, Logan thrives at the intersection of equations and execution. He’s passionate about bringing quantum tech to market and identifying new opportunities for technical development and leadership.
Otherwise you'll find Logan lifting weights or camping out back home in Michigan.
Affiliations: Northrop Grumman
School: Michigan Technological University, Colorado School of Mines
Sam South
Sam brings extensive experience in operational execution and technology commercialization across both the public and private sectors. Prior to Bifrost, he specialized in AI strategy at Deloitte and draws on a background in national security operations with direct engagement across the FBI, DoD, U.S. Army, NASA, and the Intelligence Community. He has a proven record of managing complex, high-stakes programs and offers a nuanced perspective on the transformative role quantum innovation will play in defense and national security.
Sam has lived and worked around the world and speaks professional-level Chinese and Korean, as well as advanced French. Outside the office, he is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist and enjoys exploring Colorado’s deservedly iconic wilderness.
School: Yale University — Bachelor of Arts, International Security; University of Pennsylvania & The Wharton School — Master of Business Administration / Master of Arts, Strategy and International Business
Maya Shen
With a background in foreign policy and management consulting, Maya brings a systems-oriented approach to building and scaling organizations. She’s passionate about understanding human motivators, designing efficient structures, and fostering collaboration across diverse teams. Outside of work, Maya enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, and playing tennis.
School: Muhlenberg College — Bachelor of Arts; University of Denver — Master of Business Administration, Master of Social Work
Nate Bernstein
Nate bridges the technical domains at the core of Bifrost’s products. His doctorate in thin-film dielectrics and more than a decade of microwave engineering experience brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the team. When not bridging technical domains, he’s spending time with his family—or inevitably falling off his skateboard.
School: University of Colorado – Bachelor of Electrical Engineering; Arizona State University – Master of Materials Engineering; Colorado School of Mines – Doctor of Materials Science
Timothy Strawn
Timothy focuses on RF assembly, cryogenic testing, and iterative fabrication processes. His mechanical precision and steady attention to detail help translate design concepts into functional hardware. Working closely with Connor and Logan, Timothy contributes to the end-to-end production of Bifrost’s next-generation quantum-limited amplifiers.
School: Colorado School of Mines
Chandler Wilburn
Chandler supports the R&D and systems teams with device testing, lab instrumentation, and data analysis. A rising engineer with a strong foundation in applied physics, he’s been instrumental in establishing early test infrastructure and refining measurement protocols. Chandler represents the next generation of quantum hardware engineers being cultivated through Bifrost’s hands-on lab culture.
School: Colorado School of Mines