Like many entrepreneurs, my interests are varied and because of that I’ve built several careers over the past 31 years: (in no particular order of importance) venture capitalist, company founder, software engineer, two-way radio expert, supercomputer product manager, marketing manager, teacher, firefighter, sales manager, and board member.
I was not initially ‘educated’ for any of these careers, despite the Jesuits’ best intentions.
But I thrive on challenge and continual learning. I bring this perspective to your career. I love digging into a complicated business challenge, quickly dissecting it with analysis to reduce it to its essential core. And then develop tactics consistent with an overall strategy, and relentlessly implement.
I don’t shy away from the tough issues; in fact I am compelled to run towards emergencies.
Although the majority of my experience is in high technology software and hardware manufacturing, I have spent time in a variety of other domains including traditional retail, publishing, advertising, and social networks. I love digging into a new market or product idea, and figuring out how we make money in it.
I have worked in a variety of settings, from the structured and disciplined environment of Intel Corporation and Disney, to the scrappy startup team working from a dining room table. I’ve been involved with 32 companies, so far.
And my role has varied: angel investor, organizer of syndicates of angel investors, and a venture capitalist. I’ve also served on a public company board, and many private company and non-profit boards, and of course on advisory boards. I know the people you need.
And so, when I work with you, I’m tapping my experience with product and company launches, and the perspective of more than 600 board meetings.
We should also note that my experience includes failure. These include poor investments, failed products, missed opportunities, and terrible hires. Sometimes my failures have been laughably obvious in tactical errors or my immature youth; other times the failure is somber recognition of my poor choices, causing hurt feelings, and lost opportunities. It is a cliche but true, that I’ve learned more from my failures than my successes. Perhaps I can help you avoid my failures, yet gain the lessons.
And that office and boardroom experience is combined with one of my other passions — I’m a firefighter and EMT, in both urban and rural settings, as well as operating a fireboat. Years of doing initial patient surveys, sizing up car accidents, fighting fires and handling marine emergencies have honed my on-the-spot analytic skills.
I’m not just about the theory.
I also love life: my wife, family, my brothers in the fire service, music, creating tasty food, exploring the outdoors, experiencing foreign cultures, appreciating the light at the end of the day, the magic of books and the depth of my good friends.
Contact me for a detailed biography, if you’d like to know more about my past.
