FMA Company History

FMA, Inc. was formed as a Maryland Corporation in May, 1985, but the company has roots that reach back as far as the late 1970’s in design and development of products for the radio control industry. The founder of FMA is Fred Marks. Fred has been an avid modeler for most of his life. Like many in our industry, Fred formed a business associated with the hobby he loves.

Fred’s background in engineering combined with his love of aeronautics led him to a relationship with Ace Radio Control of Higginsville, Missouri that lasted for almost 25 years. As a sideline to his professional life, Fred designed and licensed products to Ace R/C. This relationship continued through the 70’s and 80’s.

In 1988, Fred’s younger son, Tim, was just finishing college at the University of Virginia. He joined Fred in 1989 and FMA became a family owned business and continues to be family owned today. Tim’s background and first love is electronics design. During the mid 80’s and early 90’s, FMA continued to design products for Ace R/C. In addition, the company took advantage of Fred’s consulting experience and contacts in Weapons System Analysis, gained during nearly 20 years of serving as a partner with Booz Allen & Hamilton. The consulting business and R/C product development sustained the company through the early years.

In the early 90’s ownership of ACE R/C changed hands multiple times resulting in an erosion and ultimate demise of the relationship with FMA. FMA continued to do contract design and started FMA Direct as the distribution arm for hobby products in January, 1995. Most of the products developed by FMA since 1995 have been for R/C although some have been used in industrial applications as well.

As business grew in the mid to late 1990’s, additional management for the company was needed. Fred’s older son, Jamie Marks and Jamie’s wife, Cindy joined FMA in 1998 to assist with administration and day to day management.

In April, 2007, Fred retired from FMA Direct. The company is now owned solely by Tim and Jamie, who hold the offices of President and Vice President, respectively. The company continues to focus on design of innovative products for the radio control hobby market along with commercial and military work utilizing many of the same designs.