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C T I N N O V A T O R S , 2 0 2 5 3 3 Adaptive Vision Wallace leads East Hartford's VRSim into a new era of virtual reality training WALLACE >> By Matthew Broderick Matthew Wallace understands the value of reinvention. Over his 34-year career, Wallace has pivoted from teaching assis- tant to lawyer to his current role as CEO and president of VRSim, an East Hartford-based soware company that provides virtual reality (VR) workforce training technology. Like its leader, VRSim has evolved over the past two decades — moving from building simulation programs for large defense and aerospace contractors, including Pratt & Whitney and Boeing, to focusing on vocational training in manufacturing, health care and public safety. e company's programs — used by thousands of clients, including Bobcat, Lockheed Martin and NASA — incorpo- rate built-in progress tracking, real-time skills assessment, scoring, feedback and instructional guidance into immersive training experiences to accelerate learning and career preparedness in Connecticut and beyond. VRSim's latest innovation is the in- fusion of artificial intelligence to evolve the human element of allied health and patient care training. Wallace, who's led VRSim since 2006, said his vision for the company and its continuing evolution has been driven by a recognition of the skills gap that exists in Connecticut's key industry sectors, as well as the need to adapt learning to appeal to a younger generation of learners who are more accustomed to digital tools. "We have to change the way we're teaching," Wallace said. "We need to provide the 'TikTok generation' more than textbooks and videos to keep them interested and engaged in learning." Forging a new path Wallace's journey to technology and learning innovator involved many geographic and career turns. Born in Tennessee, Wallace spent much of his childhood moving across the south, driven by his father's career with Pitney Bowes. In high school, he worked at Walt Disney World where he learned the value of teamwork and customer service. Aer earning bachelor's and master's degrees in history from the University of Texas at Arlington and a law degree from Mercer University School of Law, he worked at an Atlanta law firm before starting his own practice focused on small businesses, real estate Continued on next page Ma•hew Wallace CEO & President VRSim Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees in history, University of Texas at Arlington; Law degree, Mercer University School of Law Age: 61 PHOTOS | STEVE LASCHEVER