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Ramu Potarazu, Avail Media
Ramu currently serves as CEO of Avail Media. Ramu brings more than 20 years of telecommunications and general management experience to Avail Media, including extensive involvement in sales and marketing, engineering and operations, business development and strategy formulation in the global telecommunications industry. Prior to joining Avail Media, Ramu was President and Chief Operating Officer of Intelsat, Ltd., a $1.2 billion global company that provides telecommunications products and services to customers in the Media & Entertainment, Network Services, and Government Services sectors. During his tenure at Intelsat from 2002 to 2006, Ramu built a worldwide presence in more than 220 countries by restructuring the company's commercial organizations. In addition, he led Intelsat through several acquisitions and integrations of companies, ranging from $6 billion to $100 million. And, he created a new business line that generated $125 million in revenue in a four-year period. Ramu has served on the boards of WildBlue, the John's Hopkins Advisory Board, and the American Red Cross National Capital Area. He was selected as among the Top 20 CIO's in 1998 by CIO Magazine.
Ramu received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Oklahoma Christian University and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He is a postgraduate Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at George Washington University, and he completed the Stanford Executive Program.
Ramu currently serves as CEO of Avail Media. Ramu brings more than 20 years of telecommunications and general management experience to Avail Media, including extensive involvement in sales and marketing, engineering and operations, business development and strategy formulation in the global telecommunications industry. Prior to joining Avail Media, Ramu was President and Chief Operating Officer of Intelsat, Ltd., a $1.2 billion global company that provides telecommunications products and services to customers in the Media & Entertainment, Network Services, and Government Services sectors. During his tenure at Intelsat from 2002 to 2006, Ramu built a worldwide presence in more than 220 countries by restructuring the company's commercial organizations. In addition, he led Intelsat through several acquisitions and integrations of companies, ranging from $6 billion to $100 million. And, he created a new business line that generated $125 million in revenue in a four-year period. Ramu has served on the boards of WildBlue, the John's Hopkins Advisory Board, and the American Red Cross National Capital Area. He was selected as among the Top 20 CIO's in 1998 by CIO Magazine.
Ramu received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Oklahoma Christian University and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He is a postgraduate Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at George Washington University, and he completed the Stanford Executive Program.
Rick Geritz, BDMetrics
Rick has over 15 years of experience in building profitable technology product companies. Prior to BDMetrics, Rick held senior level executive roles for SafeNet (NASDAQ; SFNT) including President and GM responsible for overall product strategy and operations for their silicon and enterprise software businesses. Rick also led SafeNet’s corporate and business development activities during the 2001- 2002 economic cycle.
Before SafeNet, Rick was the Executive Vice President and a board member at Rockville-based ICARUS Corporation – an engineering cost modeling software company - where he led the company's worldwide product strategy and operations, and subsequently led its sale to Aspen Technology (NASDAQ; AZPN). Rick is a featured guest speaker on network security on TV and radio shows such as “Today” and “Tech TV”, was named one of Baltimore’s “Top 40 under 40” executives, and was named “Innovator of the Year” for BDMetrics. Rick holds a BA in Economics from St Mary’s College.
Rick has over 15 years of experience in building profitable technology product companies. Prior to BDMetrics, Rick held senior level executive roles for SafeNet (NASDAQ; SFNT) including President and GM responsible for overall product strategy and operations for their silicon and enterprise software businesses. Rick also led SafeNet’s corporate and business development activities during the 2001- 2002 economic cycle.
Before SafeNet, Rick was the Executive Vice President and a board member at Rockville-based ICARUS Corporation – an engineering cost modeling software company - where he led the company's worldwide product strategy and operations, and subsequently led its sale to Aspen Technology (NASDAQ; AZPN). Rick is a featured guest speaker on network security on TV and radio shows such as “Today” and “Tech TV”, was named one of Baltimore’s “Top 40 under 40” executives, and was named “Innovator of the Year” for BDMetrics. Rick holds a BA in Economics from St Mary’s College.
Foster Hinshaw, Dataupia
Foster Hinshaw, often referred to as the Father of Data Warehouse Appliances, brings a wealth of creative, technical, and operational expertise in both hardware and software to Dataupia. Foster is accomplished in designing and developing large, complex systems for both enterprise and departmental applications. Prior to Dataupia, Foster founded Netezza, a market leader in enterprise-class business intelligent appliances that successfully introduced a new category of data warehouse appliance to the market.
Prior to Netezza, Foster consulted to marquee clients on large data systems and eCommerce applications. His career also includes Y2K Practice Manager at Keane, Inc., Chief Financial Officer and Director of Information Systems at VideoGuide (now part of TV Guide), and strategic positions at a number of high tech and marketing consulting firms.
Always up for the challenge of proving a technology's potential, Foster was on the team that won the world's longest electric car race with a converted 1970 Hornet, one of two vehicles that crossed the finish line. Foster has a B.S. and Masters in Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Foster Hinshaw, often referred to as the Father of Data Warehouse Appliances, brings a wealth of creative, technical, and operational expertise in both hardware and software to Dataupia. Foster is accomplished in designing and developing large, complex systems for both enterprise and departmental applications. Prior to Dataupia, Foster founded Netezza, a market leader in enterprise-class business intelligent appliances that successfully introduced a new category of data warehouse appliance to the market.
Prior to Netezza, Foster consulted to marquee clients on large data systems and eCommerce applications. His career also includes Y2K Practice Manager at Keane, Inc., Chief Financial Officer and Director of Information Systems at VideoGuide (now part of TV Guide), and strategic positions at a number of high tech and marketing consulting firms.
Always up for the challenge of proving a technology's potential, Foster was on the team that won the world's longest electric car race with a converted 1970 Hornet, one of two vehicles that crossed the finish line. Foster has a B.S. and Masters in Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Andy Astor, EnterpriseDB
Prior to co-founding EnterpriseDB, Andy was a vice president at webMethods, Inc., where he was responsible for technical marketing, corporate acquisition integration and standards leadership and evangelism. While at webMethods, he was elected twice to the Board of Directors of the Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I), and he served as that organization's Marketing Chair.
Prior to joining webMethods, Andy was a vice president at Dun & Bradstreet, where he led worldwide development and deployment of all customer-facing products. Andy has also held product development and professional and technical services leadership positions at American Management Systems, Ernst & Young and startup software companies.
A frequent speaker at industry conferences, Andy received a BA in Mathematics from Clark University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Prior to co-founding EnterpriseDB, Andy was a vice president at webMethods, Inc., where he was responsible for technical marketing, corporate acquisition integration and standards leadership and evangelism. While at webMethods, he was elected twice to the Board of Directors of the Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I), and he served as that organization's Marketing Chair.
Prior to joining webMethods, Andy was a vice president at Dun & Bradstreet, where he led worldwide development and deployment of all customer-facing products. Andy has also held product development and professional and technical services leadership positions at American Management Systems, Ernst & Young and startup software companies.
A frequent speaker at industry conferences, Andy received a BA in Mathematics from Clark University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Michael Mulcahy, ExaDigm
Mike joined ExaDigm with more than 15 years of executive-level experience in the payment industry having established a successful track record of building and managing fast-growth companies. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mike served as ExaDigm's President and Chief Operating Officer guiding the company through the early stages of its growth and development. Prior to ExaDigm, Mike held executive level positions with a number of the payment industry's foremost companies, including notable industry leader Panasonic. At Panasonic he was responsible for increasing sales for its Point-Of-Sale System Division from $14 million to $60 million in just three years and bringing the division to profitability in less than four years. Mike has also held senior management roles with California Retail Data Systems, a leading distributor of advanced electronic cash register (ECR) systems; MIST, Inc., a leading provider of wireless and Internet transaction-enabling solutions and smart card issuance technologies; GEAC, a leader in restaurant enterprise point-of-sale solutions; and Mellon Bank's Merchant Services Division. Mike attended North Adams State College in Massachusetts.
Mike joined ExaDigm with more than 15 years of executive-level experience in the payment industry having established a successful track record of building and managing fast-growth companies. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mike served as ExaDigm's President and Chief Operating Officer guiding the company through the early stages of its growth and development. Prior to ExaDigm, Mike held executive level positions with a number of the payment industry's foremost companies, including notable industry leader Panasonic. At Panasonic he was responsible for increasing sales for its Point-Of-Sale System Division from $14 million to $60 million in just three years and bringing the division to profitability in less than four years. Mike has also held senior management roles with California Retail Data Systems, a leading distributor of advanced electronic cash register (ECR) systems; MIST, Inc., a leading provider of wireless and Internet transaction-enabling solutions and smart card issuance technologies; GEAC, a leader in restaurant enterprise point-of-sale solutions; and Mellon Bank's Merchant Services Division. Mike attended North Adams State College in Massachusetts.
Alan Grant, Exchange Solutions
Alan is the originator of the “value exchange” business performance improvement model. Alan first described the opportunity to directly optimize customer-company “exchange economics” in a lead article published in the Harvard Business Review in October of 1995.
Alan founded ESI to be the category creating and leading provider of technology-enabled value exchange optimization solutions. ESI exchange solutions enable consumers and businesses to collaboratively identify “win-win” exchanges of value when they engage in web, call center or in-person interactions.
In addition to his responsibilities as Chairman and CEO of ESI, Alan remains an ESI thought leader in the value exchange optimization methodologies and processes that are the foundation of the firm’s collaborative exchange optimization (CEO) technology solution.
After graduating from Harvard Business School, Alan spent nine years at Bain & Company where he specialized in defining and implementing strategies for increasing customer franchise value and profitability for Fortune 500 companies.
Alan is the originator of the “value exchange” business performance improvement model. Alan first described the opportunity to directly optimize customer-company “exchange economics” in a lead article published in the Harvard Business Review in October of 1995.
Alan founded ESI to be the category creating and leading provider of technology-enabled value exchange optimization solutions. ESI exchange solutions enable consumers and businesses to collaboratively identify “win-win” exchanges of value when they engage in web, call center or in-person interactions.
In addition to his responsibilities as Chairman and CEO of ESI, Alan remains an ESI thought leader in the value exchange optimization methodologies and processes that are the foundation of the firm’s collaborative exchange optimization (CEO) technology solution.
After graduating from Harvard Business School, Alan spent nine years at Bain & Company where he specialized in defining and implementing strategies for increasing customer franchise value and profitability for Fortune 500 companies.
Scott Shaw, Fishbowl Marketing
Prior to founding Fishbowl, Scott Shaw spent 17 years with three start-up foodservice companies. He was co-founder and President of Amy's Ice Creams, based in Austin, Texas; Partner & Chief Operating Officer of CAFÉ TU TU TANGO, a Nation's Restaurant News "Hot Concepts" award-winner; and Chief Operating Officer of the Austin Grill, an award-winning seven-unit chain, based in Washington, DC. Scott has been a guest speaker at numerous industry events, including the Restaurant Finance Monitor's annual conference, the National Restaurant Association annual conference, the Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference, the Restaurant and Bar Show, the Neighborhood Marketing War College, the NRA's Marketing Executive Group conference, and M&C Reports UK Restaurants 2006 Conference. Scott received a B.A. from Yale University with a major in Latin American Studies.
Prior to founding Fishbowl, Scott Shaw spent 17 years with three start-up foodservice companies. He was co-founder and President of Amy's Ice Creams, based in Austin, Texas; Partner & Chief Operating Officer of CAFÉ TU TU TANGO, a Nation's Restaurant News "Hot Concepts" award-winner; and Chief Operating Officer of the Austin Grill, an award-winning seven-unit chain, based in Washington, DC. Scott has been a guest speaker at numerous industry events, including the Restaurant Finance Monitor's annual conference, the National Restaurant Association annual conference, the Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference, the Restaurant and Bar Show, the Neighborhood Marketing War College, the NRA's Marketing Executive Group conference, and M&C Reports UK Restaurants 2006 Conference. Scott received a B.A. from Yale University with a major in Latin American Studies.
Michael O'Neil, GetWellNetwork
Michael O’Neil was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 28 in April of 1999. After stomach surgery to remove the tumor and four cycles of chemotherapy at Johns Hopkins Hospital, he immediately began building GetWellNetwork®.
Previously, O’Neil spent six years working at New York and Boston advertising agencies, developing brand strategies and managing multi-million dollar marketing campaigns. O’Neil gained recognition in strategic positioning and brand launches, and Deutsch, Inc. named him the youngest account supervisor in 1995.
While in graduate school, O’Neil consulted with Lost Wax Media in London, England on the market positioning, financing and launch of a B2B exchange in 1998. He also conducted an extensive e-commerce study of the top 50 retail Web sites in 1999 for iXL, Inc. in Atlanta.
Currently, O’Neil is an adjunct professor in the MBA program at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. He is a member of Mindshare, a forum of CEOs from leading early-stage technology and life sciences companies in the Greater Washington Metropolitan region. O’Neil also serves on the steering committee of Northern Virginia Healthcare Workforce Alliance, an organization of business, healthcare and education leaders seeking innovative solutions to address the workforce shortage.
O’Neil received a B.A. with honors from the University of Notre Dame and a JD/MBA from Georgetown University. O’Neil lives in Chevy Chase, MD with his wife Wendy and their daughters Calla and Ava.
Michael O’Neil was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 28 in April of 1999. After stomach surgery to remove the tumor and four cycles of chemotherapy at Johns Hopkins Hospital, he immediately began building GetWellNetwork®.
Previously, O’Neil spent six years working at New York and Boston advertising agencies, developing brand strategies and managing multi-million dollar marketing campaigns. O’Neil gained recognition in strategic positioning and brand launches, and Deutsch, Inc. named him the youngest account supervisor in 1995.
While in graduate school, O’Neil consulted with Lost Wax Media in London, England on the market positioning, financing and launch of a B2B exchange in 1998. He also conducted an extensive e-commerce study of the top 50 retail Web sites in 1999 for iXL, Inc. in Atlanta.
Currently, O’Neil is an adjunct professor in the MBA program at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. He is a member of Mindshare, a forum of CEOs from leading early-stage technology and life sciences companies in the Greater Washington Metropolitan region. O’Neil also serves on the steering committee of Northern Virginia Healthcare Workforce Alliance, an organization of business, healthcare and education leaders seeking innovative solutions to address the workforce shortage.
O’Neil received a B.A. with honors from the University of Notre Dame and a JD/MBA from Georgetown University. O’Neil lives in Chevy Chase, MD with his wife Wendy and their daughters Calla and Ava.
Dan Olschwang, JumpTap
Prior to JumpTap, Dan was General Manager of the Comverse Fun division. Under Dan's leadership, Comverse became the leader in the global ringback market, reaching over 200 million end-users across mobile operators worldwide. Prior to Comverse, Dan served as the Head of Products and Services for Orange in Israel. Under his leadership Orange launched many pioneering products and was ranked by industry analysts as one of the top five most innovative global mobile operators. Prior to Orange, Dan was a management consultant developing market and technical strategies for Israeli telecommunication firms.
Prior to JumpTap, Dan was General Manager of the Comverse Fun division. Under Dan's leadership, Comverse became the leader in the global ringback market, reaching over 200 million end-users across mobile operators worldwide. Prior to Comverse, Dan served as the Head of Products and Services for Orange in Israel. Under his leadership Orange launched many pioneering products and was ranked by industry analysts as one of the top five most innovative global mobile operators. Prior to Orange, Dan was a management consultant developing market and technical strategies for Israeli telecommunication firms.
Wes Cruver, KZO Innovations
Wes Cruver, President and CEO, founded KZO Innovations in 2007 as a software development and R&D company to market innovative streaming video technologies to the commercial sector. KZO’s initial product is an interactive communications platform that seamlessly integrates video, audio, presentations and multilingual text within a proprietary Web 2.0 architecture.
Before founding KZO Innovations, Wes co-founded Kidz Online, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, when he was 11 years old. Kidz Online is a leading provider of comprehensive online communications and training solutions and services for global youth. It was at Kidz Online that he developed a unique leadership style and domain-expertise in video technologies.
In addition to his leadership role, Wes is the chief software architect for the KZO platform and the inventor-of-record for all current KZO patent applications. Wes has extensive programming experience and was instrumental designing and implementing KZO’s 8 Gbit/s optical network.
Wes Cruver, President and CEO, founded KZO Innovations in 2007 as a software development and R&D company to market innovative streaming video technologies to the commercial sector. KZO’s initial product is an interactive communications platform that seamlessly integrates video, audio, presentations and multilingual text within a proprietary Web 2.0 architecture.
Before founding KZO Innovations, Wes co-founded Kidz Online, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, when he was 11 years old. Kidz Online is a leading provider of comprehensive online communications and training solutions and services for global youth. It was at Kidz Online that he developed a unique leadership style and domain-expertise in video technologies.
In addition to his leadership role, Wes is the chief software architect for the KZO platform and the inventor-of-record for all current KZO patent applications. Wes has extensive programming experience and was instrumental designing and implementing KZO’s 8 Gbit/s optical network.
Bill Chambers, LeftHand Networks
Bill Chambers has more than 20 years experience in high technology companies, specializing in new product introductions and market creation and development. During his career, Bill has held key management positions in a number of high technology start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. As Founder, President, and CEO of LeftHand Networks, Bill has led the company through successful venture financings, development of the storage industry's first IP-based Storage Area Network (IP SAN) solution, successful and active partnerships with Fortune 100 and emerging growth companies, and widespread acknowledgement of the company as the industry leader in the rapidly growing IP SAN market. Prior to LeftHand Networks, Bill was President and CEO of GE Fanuc Asia Pacific, a joint venture between General Electric, Inc., and Fanuc, Ltd., of Japan. He started his career with Texas Instruments in sales and sales management roles. Bill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a certificate of completion from the Stanford University Executive Management Program.
Bill Chambers has more than 20 years experience in high technology companies, specializing in new product introductions and market creation and development. During his career, Bill has held key management positions in a number of high technology start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. As Founder, President, and CEO of LeftHand Networks, Bill has led the company through successful venture financings, development of the storage industry's first IP-based Storage Area Network (IP SAN) solution, successful and active partnerships with Fortune 100 and emerging growth companies, and widespread acknowledgement of the company as the industry leader in the rapidly growing IP SAN market. Prior to LeftHand Networks, Bill was President and CEO of GE Fanuc Asia Pacific, a joint venture between General Electric, Inc., and Fanuc, Ltd., of Japan. He started his career with Texas Instruments in sales and sales management roles. Bill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a certificate of completion from the Stanford University Executive Management Program.
Ariel Porath, Local Labs
Ariel Porath is Founder and CEO of Local Labs, Inc., an early-stage semantic and social platform focused on improving local applications for users and small businesses. Prior to Local Labs, he was in charge of strategy and business development for semantic web start-up, Metaweb Technologies in San Francisco. Metaweb, a spin-out of Applied Minds, Inc. raised financing from Benchmark Capital, Goldman Sachs, Millennium Technology Ventures, and Omidyar Network. Prior to Metaweb, Ariel was a Senior Associate at BV Capital-Bertelsmann Ventures, a venture capital fund focusing on early stage investments within the consumer Internet and mobile markets in the U.S. and Europe.
Ariel earned a BS (Finance) at the University of Maryland and was awarded the Lamone Scholarship for outstanding entrepreneurial achievement.
Ariel Porath is Founder and CEO of Local Labs, Inc., an early-stage semantic and social platform focused on improving local applications for users and small businesses. Prior to Local Labs, he was in charge of strategy and business development for semantic web start-up, Metaweb Technologies in San Francisco. Metaweb, a spin-out of Applied Minds, Inc. raised financing from Benchmark Capital, Goldman Sachs, Millennium Technology Ventures, and Omidyar Network. Prior to Metaweb, Ariel was a Senior Associate at BV Capital-Bertelsmann Ventures, a venture capital fund focusing on early stage investments within the consumer Internet and mobile markets in the U.S. and Europe.
Ariel earned a BS (Finance) at the University of Maryland and was awarded the Lamone Scholarship for outstanding entrepreneurial achievement.
Patrick Harr, Nirvanix
Patrick Harr joins Nirvanix from Enterprise Partners Venture Capital, where he served as entrepreneur-in-residence focusing on content, storage, and media services investments. His prior leadership roles include president and CEO of Preventsys Inc., a security risk and compliance management firm that was acquired by McAfee in 2006, and Vice President of the $300M Enterprise Products Group at McDATA Corp., an enterprise storage networking solutions company. Patrick joined McDATA through the acquisition of Sanera Systems, a storage networking startup, where he ran marketing, business development and sales. Prior to Sanera, Patrick ran worldwide marketing at CacheFlow and was the GM of Novell’s Internet and Security Services Group. Patrick received a Masters in Business Administration degree in marketing and entrepreneurial studies from the University of Maryland and his B.A. from Tulane in political economy and Russian.
Patrick Harr joins Nirvanix from Enterprise Partners Venture Capital, where he served as entrepreneur-in-residence focusing on content, storage, and media services investments. His prior leadership roles include president and CEO of Preventsys Inc., a security risk and compliance management firm that was acquired by McAfee in 2006, and Vice President of the $300M Enterprise Products Group at McDATA Corp., an enterprise storage networking solutions company. Patrick joined McDATA through the acquisition of Sanera Systems, a storage networking startup, where he ran marketing, business development and sales. Prior to Sanera, Patrick ran worldwide marketing at CacheFlow and was the GM of Novell’s Internet and Security Services Group. Patrick received a Masters in Business Administration degree in marketing and entrepreneurial studies from the University of Maryland and his B.A. from Tulane in political economy and Russian.
Duke Chung, Parature
Duke Chung, Chief Executive Officer and President, co-founded Parature in 2000 with a vision to provide superior customer support software accessible via the Internet. Today, Parature’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product suite supports more than 10 Million registered users in hundreds of organizations, including national associations, leading educational institutions, technology companies, and other diverse industries worldwide.
Duke is recognized as one of the top up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the Northern Virginia region. In 2002, Washington Techway magazine named Duke as one of the area’s top under-30 technology executives. Duke was also selected to the 2002 MindShare Class, an exclusive, by invitation only program for CEOs of the most promising high tech start-up companies in the Greater Washington Metropolitan region. In 2005, Duke was a contributing author to Inside the Minds: Software Leadership Strategies: CRM, Integration, ERP, & Storage Solutions CEOs Offer Best Practices & Keys to Success in the Software Industry by Aspatore Books. In the chapter entitled "Providing a Web-based Solution", he shares his perspective on how the Internet will change the way companies support their end users. In 2006, Duke was named to Fast Company Magazine’s Fast 50. In 2007, Washingtonian magazine named Duke into the Power 150 as a rising star, a group recognized as the regions most influential people.
Duke is a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences throughout the country, including the Darden School of Business, Georgetown University, University of Maryland, Netpreneur, SearchCRM and Potomac Executive Biz. Duke also serves on the Board of Directors for the Monte Jade Science & Technology Association.
Throughout his career, Duke has had the forethought and insight to recognize the undeniable benefits of delivering software as a service. Prior to Parature, Duke co-founded Limespot, a company focused on providing students vital campus information over the Internet. While at Limespot, Duke experienced first hand the advantages of a reduction in infrastructure cost and human requirements when delivering an application over the Internet versus delivering installed software. The realization of strategies in which the Internet could improve the way business is done became the foundation for how Parature would be built.
Duke holds a B.S. in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University.
Duke Chung, Chief Executive Officer and President, co-founded Parature in 2000 with a vision to provide superior customer support software accessible via the Internet. Today, Parature’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product suite supports more than 10 Million registered users in hundreds of organizations, including national associations, leading educational institutions, technology companies, and other diverse industries worldwide.
Duke is recognized as one of the top up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the Northern Virginia region. In 2002, Washington Techway magazine named Duke as one of the area’s top under-30 technology executives. Duke was also selected to the 2002 MindShare Class, an exclusive, by invitation only program for CEOs of the most promising high tech start-up companies in the Greater Washington Metropolitan region. In 2005, Duke was a contributing author to Inside the Minds: Software Leadership Strategies: CRM, Integration, ERP, & Storage Solutions CEOs Offer Best Practices & Keys to Success in the Software Industry by Aspatore Books. In the chapter entitled "Providing a Web-based Solution", he shares his perspective on how the Internet will change the way companies support their end users. In 2006, Duke was named to Fast Company Magazine’s Fast 50. In 2007, Washingtonian magazine named Duke into the Power 150 as a rising star, a group recognized as the regions most influential people.
Duke is a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences throughout the country, including the Darden School of Business, Georgetown University, University of Maryland, Netpreneur, SearchCRM and Potomac Executive Biz. Duke also serves on the Board of Directors for the Monte Jade Science & Technology Association.
Throughout his career, Duke has had the forethought and insight to recognize the undeniable benefits of delivering software as a service. Prior to Parature, Duke co-founded Limespot, a company focused on providing students vital campus information over the Internet. While at Limespot, Duke experienced first hand the advantages of a reduction in infrastructure cost and human requirements when delivering an application over the Internet versus delivering installed software. The realization of strategies in which the Internet could improve the way business is done became the foundation for how Parature would be built.
Duke holds a B.S. in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University.
Joe Loughry, Persystent
Joe has over 30 years of successful hands-on experience creating shareholder value in public and privately held software companies. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of HTE, Inc. a software company that provides integrated application solutions to local and state governments throughout the US. Joe also served as President and CEO of QuestPoint Holdings, Inc., a financial services business, and as CEO of Nationwide Remittance Centers, Inc., a venture-funded lock-box services business acquired by CoreStates Bank. Joe’s background includes almost a decade at General Electric Information Services and major systems management software companies such as Uccel Corporation, Computer Associates, and Legent Corporation in a variety of executive roles. Joe graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Business Administration.
Joe has over 30 years of successful hands-on experience creating shareholder value in public and privately held software companies. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of HTE, Inc. a software company that provides integrated application solutions to local and state governments throughout the US. Joe also served as President and CEO of QuestPoint Holdings, Inc., a financial services business, and as CEO of Nationwide Remittance Centers, Inc., a venture-funded lock-box services business acquired by CoreStates Bank. Joe’s background includes almost a decade at General Electric Information Services and major systems management software companies such as Uccel Corporation, Computer Associates, and Legent Corporation in a variety of executive roles. Joe graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Business Administration.
Sean McDermott, RealOps
As President, CEO and Founder of RealOps, Inc., Sean sets the direction and vision for the company and has overall responsibility for the strategy, profitability and market success of the company. He also manages the daily operations and business development activities for the company.
Prior to founding RealOps, Sean founded Windward Consulting Group, a national consultancy specializing in operational management solutions for Fortune 500 companies, service providers and the federal government.
Prior to founding Windward, Sean was Director of Technical Services for Predictive Systems, a publicly traded systems integrator, and prior still was a Sr. Consultant with Booz, Allen & Hamilton, a worldwide management and technology-consulting firm. Sean began his career at the Department of Justice designing and building large networks.
Sean has a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University and a Masters in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America.
As President, CEO and Founder of RealOps, Inc., Sean sets the direction and vision for the company and has overall responsibility for the strategy, profitability and market success of the company. He also manages the daily operations and business development activities for the company.
Prior to founding RealOps, Sean founded Windward Consulting Group, a national consultancy specializing in operational management solutions for Fortune 500 companies, service providers and the federal government.
Prior to founding Windward, Sean was Director of Technical Services for Predictive Systems, a publicly traded systems integrator, and prior still was a Sr. Consultant with Booz, Allen & Hamilton, a worldwide management and technology-consulting firm. Sean began his career at the Department of Justice designing and building large networks.
Sean has a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University and a Masters in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America.
Larry Kutscher, Register.com
Larry Kutscher joined Register.com as Chief Executive Officer on November 1, 2006 with a history of building and growing Internet-enabled businesses and supporting small businesses. Before joining Register.com as CEO, Larry served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Small Business Group at Dun & Bradstreet. During his tenure at Dun & Bradstreet, Larry was instrumental in helping the company expanding its digital offerings, including the acquisition and development of Hoover’s. He was a member of Dun & Bradstreet’s Global Leadership Team since joining in 2001.
Larry also served as Managing Director of Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs & Co., and spent twelve years at American Express where his last position was as Senior Vice President of Interactive Enterprise Development. Larry holds a political science degree from Brown University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Larry Kutscher joined Register.com as Chief Executive Officer on November 1, 2006 with a history of building and growing Internet-enabled businesses and supporting small businesses. Before joining Register.com as CEO, Larry served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Small Business Group at Dun & Bradstreet. During his tenure at Dun & Bradstreet, Larry was instrumental in helping the company expanding its digital offerings, including the acquisition and development of Hoover’s. He was a member of Dun & Bradstreet’s Global Leadership Team since joining in 2001.
Larry also served as Managing Director of Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs & Co., and spent twelve years at American Express where his last position was as Senior Vice President of Interactive Enterprise Development. Larry holds a political science degree from Brown University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Mark Logan, Rivermine
Mark has over 20 years of extensive sales and management experience and a proven track record of building successful companies in the enterprise software industry. Prior to joining Rivermine, he served as the Vice-President and General Manager for PeopleSoft's CRM Business Unit, helping to establish PeopleSoft as a leading CRM software provider.
Mark joined PeopleSoft from its acquisition of JD Edwards, where as a Vice-President and General Manager, he led the company's aggressive entry into the CRM market. As a senior executive of YOUcentric Inc., a start-up software application firm, he successfully grew the company's CRM sales operations ultimately resulting in a favorable acquisition by JD Edwards in 2001.
Mark holds a B.S. in Systems Engineering from Providence College.
Mark has over 20 years of extensive sales and management experience and a proven track record of building successful companies in the enterprise software industry. Prior to joining Rivermine, he served as the Vice-President and General Manager for PeopleSoft's CRM Business Unit, helping to establish PeopleSoft as a leading CRM software provider.
Mark joined PeopleSoft from its acquisition of JD Edwards, where as a Vice-President and General Manager, he led the company's aggressive entry into the CRM market. As a senior executive of YOUcentric Inc., a start-up software application firm, he successfully grew the company's CRM sales operations ultimately resulting in a favorable acquisition by JD Edwards in 2001.
Mark holds a B.S. in Systems Engineering from Providence College.
Chris Fedde, SafeNet
Chris Fedde was named President and Chief Operating Officer of SafeNet in October 2006. Throughout his tenure at SafeNet, which began in February of 2001 as Director of Corporate Product Management and Business Development, Chris has been a key contributor to building the company's security presence in the Federal Government and the financial community. During this time, SafeNet has seen a significant increase in demand for the company's technology solutions and managed services.
Prior to coming to SafeNet, Chris was Director of Secure Products at Harris Corporation, where he started the security business and led its growth into a business unit. Chris was responsible for the general management of the custom ASIC security business and turnkey secure systems in addition to managing the business development and engineering departments. The business was particularly successful with customers requiring very high levels of security, including the U.S. Government.
Before his employment at Harris, Chris was the Engineering Manager at Motorola, developing wireless two-way products for the global markets. He holds several patents related to wireless technologies. Chris received a BSEE degree from the University of Iowa.
Chris Fedde was named President and Chief Operating Officer of SafeNet in October 2006. Throughout his tenure at SafeNet, which began in February of 2001 as Director of Corporate Product Management and Business Development, Chris has been a key contributor to building the company's security presence in the Federal Government and the financial community. During this time, SafeNet has seen a significant increase in demand for the company's technology solutions and managed services.
Prior to coming to SafeNet, Chris was Director of Secure Products at Harris Corporation, where he started the security business and led its growth into a business unit. Chris was responsible for the general management of the custom ASIC security business and turnkey secure systems in addition to managing the business development and engineering departments. The business was particularly successful with customers requiring very high levels of security, including the U.S. Government.
Before his employment at Harris, Chris was the Engineering Manager at Motorola, developing wireless two-way products for the global markets. He holds several patents related to wireless technologies. Chris received a BSEE degree from the University of Iowa.
Mike Worhach, Sepaton
As president and CEO, Mike Worhach is responsible for management, execution and strategic direction of the company. Mike has 30 years of experience in the computer and storage industry with various senior management roles in sales, marketing and executive management. Mike joined SEPATON in September of 2003 as president and chief executive officer. Before joining SEPATON, Mike had been president of Auspex Systems, Inc., the original developer of network-attached storage devices. Previously, he served as a division vice president at Data General and then EMC, where he was responsible for Americas sales and services and the worldwide healthcare division. Prior to 1993, Mike worked at Unisys for 17 years and held a variety of senior management positions in sales and marketing as division president, VP of marketing operations and executive assistant vice chairman.
Mike holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a BS from Kings College, Pennsylvania
As president and CEO, Mike Worhach is responsible for management, execution and strategic direction of the company. Mike has 30 years of experience in the computer and storage industry with various senior management roles in sales, marketing and executive management. Mike joined SEPATON in September of 2003 as president and chief executive officer. Before joining SEPATON, Mike had been president of Auspex Systems, Inc., the original developer of network-attached storage devices. Previously, he served as a division vice president at Data General and then EMC, where he was responsible for Americas sales and services and the worldwide healthcare division. Prior to 1993, Mike worked at Unisys for 17 years and held a variety of senior management positions in sales and marketing as division president, VP of marketing operations and executive assistant vice chairman.
Mike holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a BS from Kings College, Pennsylvania
John Estrada, ServiceBench
One of the founders of ServiceBench, John Estrada has over 21 years of experience in corporate management of leading software application and development firms. John has extensive experience in complex software design, including development, implementation, and support of both Internet and e-commerce systems. This experience sparked the launch of ServiceBench which now sets the standard for true end to end service channel support systems, improving both business processes and business intelligence for manufacturers and their service channel partners. John was CEO and founder of Sideout Technologies, Inc. which successfully developed customized Internet based software solutions for Fortune 500 companies. Prior to Sideout Technologies, John led software development for DSR, a government contract firm and was instrumental in spurring rapid growth of the company from 3 to 150 people.
One of the founders of ServiceBench, John Estrada has over 21 years of experience in corporate management of leading software application and development firms. John has extensive experience in complex software design, including development, implementation, and support of both Internet and e-commerce systems. This experience sparked the launch of ServiceBench which now sets the standard for true end to end service channel support systems, improving both business processes and business intelligence for manufacturers and their service channel partners. John was CEO and founder of Sideout Technologies, Inc. which successfully developed customized Internet based software solutions for Fortune 500 companies. Prior to Sideout Technologies, John led software development for DSR, a government contract firm and was instrumental in spurring rapid growth of the company from 3 to 150 people.
Mollie Spilman, TidalTV
Mollie has spent 17 years in the media business, most recently serving as the Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Advertising.com, a subsidiary of AOL. Prior to Advertising.com, Mollie held roles at leading media companies including Discovery Communications where she was the Director of Ad Sales Marketing, Phase2Media where she was the Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Meredith Corporation where she was the Director of Sales Development of their flagship publication, Better Homes & Gardens. Mollie began her career at Time Inc’s PEOPLE Weekly where she spent nearly seven years in marketing and sales development roles.
Mollie has spent 17 years in the media business, most recently serving as the Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Advertising.com, a subsidiary of AOL. Prior to Advertising.com, Mollie held roles at leading media companies including Discovery Communications where she was the Director of Ad Sales Marketing, Phase2Media where she was the Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Meredith Corporation where she was the Director of Sales Development of their flagship publication, Better Homes & Gardens. Mollie began her career at Time Inc’s PEOPLE Weekly where she spent nearly seven years in marketing and sales development roles.
Joe Ruef, Verical
For over fourteen years, Joe has been involved in the business of electronic component distribution and has established himself as a thought leader in the secondary marketplace for electronic components and an innovator in anti-counterfeiting best practices. His deep expertise in component trading, evaluation and quality assurance grants the Company guidance and insight to the nuances and complexities of the secondary marketplace. Prior to Verical, Joe was a member of the start-up executive team at Velocity Electronics, where he oversaw brand development, sales and quality control, and grew net sales 7x the comparable industry growth rate during an industry downturn. He has extensive experience serving customers worldwide, and served as a consultant to Trading Hubs, (later known as eHitex), the electronics industry’s first generation HP-led B2B marketplace. Joe holds his BA in English from the University of California at Berkeley.
For over fourteen years, Joe has been involved in the business of electronic component distribution and has established himself as a thought leader in the secondary marketplace for electronic components and an innovator in anti-counterfeiting best practices. His deep expertise in component trading, evaluation and quality assurance grants the Company guidance and insight to the nuances and complexities of the secondary marketplace. Prior to Verical, Joe was a member of the start-up executive team at Velocity Electronics, where he oversaw brand development, sales and quality control, and grew net sales 7x the comparable industry growth rate during an industry downturn. He has extensive experience serving customers worldwide, and served as a consultant to Trading Hubs, (later known as eHitex), the electronics industry’s first generation HP-led B2B marketplace. Joe holds his BA in English from the University of California at Berkeley.
Clint Heiden, VisualCV
Clint was most recently CEO of The Heiden Group, a highly successful recruiting firm for venture-backed and global technology companies, placing executives into vital leadership and revenue generating roles including CIO, CTO, VP of Sales, and VP of Business Development for hundreds of clients. The Heiden Group also specializes in building national sales teams from the ground up for a number of organizations, ensuring human capital investments drive rapid and profitable growth within companies.
Clint was most recently CEO of The Heiden Group, a highly successful recruiting firm for venture-backed and global technology companies, placing executives into vital leadership and revenue generating roles including CIO, CTO, VP of Sales, and VP of Business Development for hundreds of clients. The Heiden Group also specializes in building national sales teams from the ground up for a number of organizations, ensuring human capital investments drive rapid and profitable growth within companies.
Other CEOs in the spotlight
Ramu Potarazu, Avail Media
Rick Geritz, BDMetrics
Foster Hinshaw, Dataupia
Andy Astor, EnterpriseDB
Michael Mulcahy, ExaDigm
Alan Grant, Exchange Solutions
Scott Shaw, Fishbowl Marketing
Michael O'Neil, GetWellNetwork
Dan Olschwang, JumpTap
Wes Cruver, KZO Innovations
Bill Chambers, LeftHand Networks
Ariel Porath, Local Labs
Patrick Harr, Nirvanix
Duke Chung, Parature
Joe Loughry, Persystent
Sean McDermott, RealOps
Larry Kutscher, Register.com
Mark Logan, Rivermine
Chris Fedde, SafeNet
Mike Worhach, Sepaton
John Estrada, ServiceBench
Mollie Spilman, TidalTV
Joe Ruef, Verical
Clint Heiden, VisualCV
Rick Geritz, BDMetrics
Foster Hinshaw, Dataupia
Andy Astor, EnterpriseDB
Michael Mulcahy, ExaDigm
Alan Grant, Exchange Solutions
Scott Shaw, Fishbowl Marketing
Michael O'Neil, GetWellNetwork
Dan Olschwang, JumpTap
Wes Cruver, KZO Innovations
Bill Chambers, LeftHand Networks
Ariel Porath, Local Labs
Patrick Harr, Nirvanix
Duke Chung, Parature
Joe Loughry, Persystent
Sean McDermott, RealOps
Larry Kutscher, Register.com
Mark Logan, Rivermine
Chris Fedde, SafeNet
Mike Worhach, Sepaton
John Estrada, ServiceBench
Mollie Spilman, TidalTV
Joe Ruef, Verical
Clint Heiden, VisualCV