'09 keynote speaker
Vivek Kundra, Federal Chief Information Officer, USA
Vivek Kundra was appointed as the first Federal CIO of the United States by President Obama in March 2009. In this capacity, he directs the policy and strategic planning of federal information technology investments and is responsible for oversight of federal technology spending. The Federal CIO establishes and oversees enterprise architecture to ensure system interoperability and information sharing and ensure information security and privacy across the federal government.
Kundra has been recognized among the top 25 CTO's in the country and as the 2008 IT Executive of the Year for his pioneering work to drive transparency, engage citizens, and lower the cost of government operations. Prior to joining the Obama administration, Kundra served in Mayor Fenty's cabinet as the CTO for the District of Columbia and Governor Kaine’s cabinet as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia. His diverse record also includes technology and public policy experience in private industry and academia.
Following his appointment, President Barack Obama said, "Vivek Kundra will bring a depth of experience in the technology arena and a commitment to lowering the cost of government operations to this position. I have directed him to work to ensure that we are using the spirit of American innovation and the power of technology to improve performance and lower the cost of government operations. As Chief Information Officer, he will play a key role in making sure our government is running in the most secure, open, and efficient way possible."
'09 keynote speaker
Tom Adams, CEO, Rosetta Stone (NYSE: RST)
Tom Adams is the CEO of Rosetta Stone. Since joining the company in 2003, Adams has changed the way the world learns languages by ensuring learners rediscover the joy of the language-learning journey. He harnessed his passion for language-learning and embraced the company’s mission of turning Rosetta Stone into a global brand.
Under Adam’s innovative leadership, Rosetta Stone has grown into one of the world’s leading language-learning solution providers, offering more than 30 different languages to millions of people in more than 150 countries. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2008 Award Winner in Greater Washington.
Tom Adams holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Bristol University in England and received his Masters in Business Administration from INSEAD. A native of Sweden, he grew up in France and England and is fluent in French, Swedish, and English. He has a working knowledge of Spanish and is currently in the process of learning Russian and the basics of Chinese.
'09 featured speakers
Thomas Casey, CEO, CURRENT Group, LLC
Mr. Casey is CEO and a Board Member of CURRENT Group, LLC, the leading provider of Smart Grid solutions that increases the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid while reducing the environmental impact of electric usage. CURRENT’s Smart Grid solution combines advanced sensing, high-speed communications, analytical software and services to provide utilities location-specific, real-time actionable data.
He previously served as the CEO of several telecommunications companies. Mr. Casey has also served as co-head of Merrill Lynch’s Global Communications Investment Banking Group, co-head of Skadden Arps’ telecommunications and media group and a partner at Mintz Levin. Mr. Casey previous was the Assistant to the FCC Chairman and Deputy Chief and Acting Chief of the FCC Common Carrier Bureau. Mr. Casey has a B.A. from Boston College and a J.D. from George Washington University Law School.
Mr. Casey serves on the Board of Directors of One Communications Corporation and is Chairman of the Board of Pacific Crossing Limited.
Michael Chasen, President & CEO, Blackboard, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB)
As chief executive officer for Blackboard Inc., Michael Chasen has provided the leadership to take Blackboard from a start-up company with just one product and a handful of clients to a publicly held company, with thousands of clients, offering software and services used by millions of people around the world. His expertise managing fast growth Internet software companies coupled with a passion to enhance education through technology has been critical to Blackboard's success.
Chasen, together with Blackboard Chairman Matthew Pittinsky, founded the company in 1997. Chasen brings a solid mixture of business development and Internet engineering skills to Blackboard, and has extensive experience in educational consulting. During his tenure, he has provided both strategic and tactical direction for every department in the company. Chasen oversees the day-to-day business in addition to developing and implementing Blackboard's vision and business strategy.
Before founding Blackboard, Chasen served as a member of the Higher Education Practice at KPMG Consulting, the world's largest professional services firm serving colleges and universities. He worked closely with several universities and colleges to implement wide-ranging software systems and also managed high-profile online development projects within the U.S. Department of Education.
Washington SmartCEO magazine selected Chasen as its first “CEO of the Year” in 2006. Ernst & Young named Chasen and Pittinsky “Entrepreneurs of the Year for Emerging Companies in Washington, D.C.” The Kilby Awards Foundation also honored Chasen and Pittinsky as “Young Innovators” for having recognized and delivered on the demand for a high-quality, easy-to-use, and cost-effective online educational software platform.
Recently named one of DC's most-admired bosses by Washington Techway Magazine, and one of the area's rising stars by Washington Business Forward, Chasen has been featured in print, broadcast, and online media, including CNNfn, Fox News, Sam Donaldson's ABC.com, Internet.com, EXBETV.com, Associated Press, Forbes, PC Magazine, WUSA-TV (CBS), Wired.com, Beyond Computers, Technology & Learning, The Washington Post and The New York Times.
Chasen holds an MBA from Georgetown University and an undergraduate degree in computer science from American University.
Robert Cousin, Portfolio Manager, J.P. Morgan Investment Management
Robert Cousin is a portfolio manager in the Private Equity Group. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan
Investment Management, Cousin was at AT&T Investment Management Corp. where he was a
member of the team responsible for implementing the investment strategy for a $35 billion
domestic and international public equity portfolio. Previously, he was an account manager at
The Travelers. Cousin is a CFA charterholder. He earned his BA from Tulane University and
an MBA from the University of Florida.
Currently, he serves on the advisory boards of Alloy Ventures,Austin Ventures, Domain
Associates, Goode Partners, Intersouth Partners, KarpReilly Capital Partners, Kinderhook
Capital Partners, Kodiak Venture Partners, Morgenthaler Partners,Quad C Partners,GTCR,
Sovereign Capital and Clarion Capital. He also serves as a board observer for Chuy's,The
Habit Restaurants, Z-Tejas, Roadlink and Qualitor.
Reed E. Hundt, Co-Chair, The Coalition for Green Bank
Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company
Former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
Reed Hundt serves as co-chair for The Coalition for Green Bank, and a senior adviser on information industries to McKinsey and Company.
As As Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission from 1993 – 1997, Hundt helped negotiate the World Trade Organization telecommunications agreement, opening markets in 69 countries to competition and dropping barriers to foreign investment. He also played a role in crafting one of the largest single national commitments to K-12 education, the Snowe-Rockefeller program that directs more than $4 billion annually to connect all classrooms to the Internet.
Hundt has authored two books: In China’s Shadow: The Crisis of American Entrepreneurship (Yale University Press, 2006)and You Say You Want A Revolution: A Story of Information Age Politics, (Yale University Press, 2000).
Hundt is a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School.
He serves on the Board of Directors for Intel, Data Domain, Inc., and Infinera Corporation, all private companies. Hundt is also on the Board of Directors for the Tropos Networks, Telegent Systems, SunEdison, and Vanu, Inc., private companies, and the non-profit organization, Public Knowledge.
Stephen D. Johnston, CEO, SmartSynch
Stephen D. Johnston currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of SmartSynch. Mr. Johnston joined SmartSynch in 2000 prior to the commercial launch of its first product and has led the Company’s efforts to secure over $80 million in venture capital funding, the largest amount of venture capital raised by a single entity in the state of Mississippi. Under his leadership, SmartSynch has simplified SmartMeter deployments for over 100 North American utilities and has received numerous company and product innovation awards.
Prior to joining SmartSynch, Mr. Johnston spent seven years as an investment banker with Wachovia Securities, Inc. (f/k/a First Union Securities, Inc.), in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia. At Wachovia Securities, Mr. Johnston worked with companies in various industries developing complex corporate finance solutions.
Mr. Johnston was a Hearin-Hess scholar at the University of Mississippi and graduated with degrees in Banking and Finance and Managerial Finance. Mr. Johnston serves on the Board of Momentum Mississippi, an advisory Board created by Governor Haley Barbour to set economic development priorities for the state of Mississippi. He also serves on the University of Mississippi Research Foundation Board. He is a member of Young President’s Organization and is also an active participant in numerous community service and educational activities. Mr. Johnston recently launched the Mississippi SmartKids Initiative, a community-based program designed to educate and influence elementary school children to become advocates for energy conservation.
Suedeen G. Kelly, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Suedeen G. Kelly is a Commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, who has served since November 2003. In December 2004, she was confirmed to a second term that expires June 30, 2009. Previously she was a Professor of Law at the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she taught energy law, public utility regulation, administrative law and legislative process. She also worked with the law firm of Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris & Sisk in Albuquerque from 2000 through 2003 and the law firm of Sheehan, Sheehan, and Stelzner from 1992 through 1999. In 2000, Ms. Kelly served as counsel to the California Independent System Operator. In 1999, she worked as a Legislative Aide to U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman.
Prior to joining the faculty of the Law School, Ms. Kelly served as Chair of the New Mexico Public Service Commission, which regulated New Mexico’s electric, gas and water utilities. She had been a lawyer in the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General and with the New Mexico firm of Leubben, Hughes & Kelly. She also worked in Washington, DC, for the Natural Resources Defense Council and Ruckelshaus, Beveridge, Fairbanks & Diamond.
Education: University of Rochester, B.A. with Distinction in Chemistry and a J.D. cum laude from Cornell Law School. She is admitted to the bars of New Mexico and the District of Columbia.
Om Malik, Founder, GigaOM
I am a senior writer for Business 2.0 magazine in San Francisco. This is my personal weblog where I ruminate about broadband and its impact on our lives. I joined Business 2.0 in April 2003 and have been writing telecom and broadband related stories for the magazine since then. Here is a link to all my articles published in Business 2.0. I also blog at Om.Is.Me.
Prior to that I was a senior writer for Red Herring focusing on the telecommunications sector. My first book, Broadbandits: Inside the $750 billion telecom heist, was released on May 15, 2003. Before joining Red Herring in July 2000, I was part of the founding team of Forbes.com where I was a senior editor. My writings have also appeared in newspapers and magazines such as The Wall Street Journal, Business 2.0, Brandweek, and Crains, New York Business. In 1999, I left Forbes.com to join Hambrecht & Quist Asia Pacific as an investment manager, thus crossing over into the venture capital business. During my tenure as a venture capitalist, I met and worked side by side with many CEOs, entrepreneurs and investors, and was privy to the inner workings of Silicon Valley.
However, few months in the VC business made me realize how much I missed the world of writing and reportage, and I went to work for Red Herring where (at least I thought) I could apply my extensive knowledge and insight into the world of venture capitalism and cutting edge technologies.
As a technology journalist and a brief tenure as a venture capitalist, I have witnessed and documented firsthand the rise and fall of the Internet and telecom industries, which has given me unrivaled access and insight into this world. I graduated from St. Stephens’ College in New Delhi with an honors degree in chemistry in 1986. St. Stephens’ is akin to the “Yale of India” and has produced several of today’s brightest Indian business, economic and political leaders.
I have also contributed to several Indian publications including the Economic Times and The Week, India’s leading news weekly. My early career highlights include a position with the Quick Nikkei News, New York-based news service that followed technology stocks for Japanese institutional investors.
Additionally, in 1995 I co-founded a South Asian portal, Masala.com. Of course I have several other tiny projects including Desiparty.com; which arguably is one of the oldest Indian websites left standing after the dot-bomb.
For more Malik's complete bio click here
Matt Marshall, Editor-in-Chief, VentureBeat
Founder Matt Marshall covered venture capital for the San Jose Mercury News until he left in Sept. 2006 to launch VentureBeat as an independent company.
VentureBeat will focus initially on Silicon Valley, and gradually expand to cover innovation hubs around the globe. Its mission in each region will be the same: to provide insider news and data about the entrepreneurial and venture community that is useful to decision makers.
Matt, who serves as Editor-in-Chief, covered the venture capital beat for the Mercury News from 2001-2006. He significantly expanded the newspaper’s coverage of venture capital during that time, in daily articles and a weekly column called the VC Insider, and then online with his blog SiliconBeat from 2004.
Matt was awarded Journalist of the Year by the Northern California Society of Professional Journalists in 2002, and the James Madison Freedom of Information award in 2003. These awards were for a series of articles he wrote in conjunction with two successful Mercury News lawsuits, in part instigated by Matt, against California’s public pension fund (CalPERS) and the University of California. The lawsuits sought disclosure of the financial performance of venture capital and other private equity funds that CalPERS and UC had invested in, arguing that state taxpayers and retirees had a right to know these results. As a result of these laws suits, public employees now have full access to information on the performance of their retirement investments.
Matt was a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal in Bonn, Germany from 1995 through 1998. In 1999 he wrote a book while in Germany, “The Bank: the Birth of Europe’s Central Bank and the Rebirth of European Power” (Random House, 1999). He has also written for the Washington Post and several other publications.
Matt has a PhD in Government and an MA in German and European Studies from Georgetown University.
Tim O'Shaughnessy, CEO & Co-Founder, LivingSocial
Tim is the CEO of LivingSocial, a social discovery and cataloging network that allows people to review and share their favorite movies, books, music, games, restaurants and beer. He's part of the original visionary team behind the product, which integrates users' interest profiles seamlessly with Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, hi5, and Orkut. Most recently, Tim led the consumer products team at Revolution Health where he integrated multi-million dollar acquisitions into the company, and previously, he managed product launches at AOL. When he's not working to make it easier for users to share and discover their own passions online, he's usually reading, traveling, or trying to take in a ball game. Tim graduated from Georgetown University with degrees in Marketing and Operations & Information Management.
Fred Schaufeld, Chairman & Founder, NEW
Fred Schaufeld founded NEW in 1983 while attending law school. His initial $79 investment has mushroomed into a progressive company that was recently recognized for “an outstanding customer service experience” by the JD Power and Associates - the first service plan administrator ever to receive this recognition. His vision and penchant for superior customer service has helped NEW develop a blue-chip client list of industry leaders in retailing, financial services, and manufacturing.
Building on a commitment to prompt, attentive customer service, Mr. Schaufeld engineered numerous innovations that have kept NEW ahead of its competition. NEW was the first service contract administrator to fully insure the obligations under those contracts. In addition, NEW was the first retail administrator to offer round-the-clock customer service, and it remains the only service contract provider to hold a patent on packaged extended service contracts.
Mr. Schaufeld takes an active role in the company's day-to-day operations. He continues to set strategic goals for the company and seek ways to expand NEW's products and services. He also oversees the company's state-of-the-art customer service operations, which have accelerated its growing reputation. In 1998, Ernst & Young named Mr. Schaufeld as its Entrepreneur of the Year in the Washington, D.C. Service Industry category.
Mr. Schaufeld holds a degree from Lehigh University, is a founding member and the former president of the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC), the national association for service contract providers, a member of the Young Presidents' Organization in Washington, D.C., a member of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, and sits on a number of corporate and philanthropic boards.
Christopher M. Schroeder is CEO of HealthCentral, the highest quality collection of condition and wellness-specific interactive experiences focused on people finding and sharing real-life experiences related to their health needs. HealthCentral also manages the leading condition-specific health online advertising network. The Company has partnerships with leading online health tools (such as Microsoft’s HealthVault) and with over 25 leading health non-profits (such as BreastCancer.org). HealthCentral’s sites reach over 11 million unique users each month. Backed by Polaris Ventures, Sequoia Capital, The Carlyle Group and Allen & Co., HealthCentral recently signed a significant strategic partnership with Interactive Corp (IAC) raising considerable capital for investments and acquisitions. IAC CEO Barry Diller serves on the company’s Board of Directors.
A veteran of online media, Schroeder served as CEO and Publisher of Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive, which hosts washingtonpost.com and newsweek.msnbc.com, among other leading news sites. During his tenure, the Company more than quadrupled in revenue and audience, and reached profitability. Previously, Schroeder was CEO and President of LEGI-SLATE, INC, a leading online provider of information on federal and state legislation and regulation for businesses, law firms, government and other organizations. After implementing significant reorganization and operational improvements, Schroeder successfully negotiated the sale of LEGI-SLATE in 1999.
Prior to joining The Washington Post, Schroeder was a partner with Thayer Capital Partners, a leading private equity company in Washington, DC, and with the investment bank Salomon Brothers in New York, focusing on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions projects for a wide range of Fortune 500 companies. Schroeder has also had extensive government experience, serving in leading management roles in President George Bush’s 1988 and 1992 election campaigns, and working on Secretary of State James A. Baker’s staff with then Under Secretary (and currently President of the World Bank) Robert Zoellick.
Schroeder was a co-founder, and served as Chairman, of the Online Publishers Association (OPA), a leading research and information organization comprised of the CEOs of top online quality content publishers (including MSNBC, The NY Times, Dow Jones, ESPN.) He has won numerous awards, including 2008 PharmaVOICE Top 100 Most Inspiring People in Life Sciences, was one of the first interactive executives named to the American Advertising (AAF) Hall of Achievement (a national annual award honoring the leading executives in advertising under the age of 40), and The Silver Medal Award from the AAF and Advertising Club of Metropolitan Washington. Schroeder was named one of the top 40 business executives to watch by Business Forward Magazine, and named among the top 50 most influential people in online media and interactive advertising by Media Magazine.
Schroeder is a member of The Council on Foreign Relations, serves on the board of the National Cathedral elementary school, and is active in several non-profits. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College and with honors from Harvard Business School. He is married to Alexandra Coburn, and has three children: Jack 12, Julia 10 and Ben 7.
Jigar Shah, Founder, SunEdison
A renowned visionary committed to renewable energy, Jigar Shah launched SunEdison in 2003 based upon a business plan he originally developed in 1999 for a university class. That plan became the basis of the SunEdison
business model: Simplify solar as a service. This model changed the status quo, allowing organizations to purchase solar energy services under long-term predictably priced contracts and avoid the significant capital costs of ownership and operation of solar energy systems.
Under Shah’s guidance, SunEdison pioneered the solar power services agreement (SPSA) model, which served as the foundation for much of the growth of the solar industry in the past five years. SunEdison now has more solar energy systems and megawatts under management than any other company. Customers include Public Utilities, Commercial National Accounts, Municipalities, States, and Federal facilities. In the process, Shah became an expert on energy project finance, changing energy policy, working with entrenched stakeholders, convincing different type of customers to embrace energy technology, and hiring over 500 of the most talented people to realize an
improbable dream.
Today, Shah works closely with some of the world’s leading influencers and guides policy makers around the globe on key issues surrounding renewable energy, global warming and sustainability. He continuously challenges his
colleagues and the industry to move solar forward by creating new markets across the globe.
Prior to launching SunEdison, Shah managed mergers & acquisitions, corporate strategy, and sales efforts for BP Solar, specializing in national commercial accounts. He also worked as a contractor for the Department of Energy on alternative vehicles and fuel cell programs.
Shah holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and an MBA from The University of Maryland. He sits on the boards of the Ready Solar, Prometheus Institute and Greenpeace USA.
Tommy G. Thompson, Former Health and Human Services Secretary
Partner, Akin Grump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Chairman, AGA Medical Corporation
Tommy G. Thompson, the former Health and Human Services Secretary is a partner at the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Chairman of AGA Medical Corporation. He also sits on the boards of CR Bard and Centene Corporation, as well as several privately-held companies.
After a long tenure in the public sector, Secretary Thompson is now building on his efforts as HHS Secretary and Governor to develop innovative solutions to the health care challenges facing American families, businesses, communities, states and the nation as a whole. These efforts focus on improving the use of information technology in hospitals, clinics and doctors offices; promoting healthier lifestyles; strengthening and modernizing Medicare and Medicaid; and expanding the use of medical diplomacy around the world.
Secretary Thompson served as HHS Secretary from 2001 to 2005 and is one of the nation's leading advocates for the health and welfare of all Americans. Secretary Thompson has dedicated his professional life to public service and served as Governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001. Secretary Thompson made state history when he was re-elected to office for a third term in 1994 and a fourth term in 1998.
Secretary Thompson began his career in public service in 1966 as a representative in Wisconsin's state Assembly. He was elected assistant Assembly minority leader in 1973 and Assembly minority leader in 1981. Secretary Thompson has received numerous awards for his public service, including the Anti-Defamation League's Distinguished Public Service Award. In 1997, the Secretary received Governing Magazine's Public Official of the Year Award, and the Horatio Alger Award in 1998. The Secretary has also served as chairman of the National Governors'Association, the Education Commission of the States and the Midwestern Governors' Conference. Secretary Thompson also served in the Wisconsin National Guard and the Army Reserve.
Christopher Walker, Principal, HarbourVest Partners, LLC
ChrisWalker joined the firm in 1998 as an associate in the secondary partnership group. In
1999, he joined the primary partnership group and has focused most of his efforts on U.S.
venture capital and buyout investments. He became a vice president during 2003 and a
principal in 2007. Walker also has extensive experience working on the healthcare sector, as
well as primary partnerships in Canada. He currently serves on the advisory committees for
partnerships managed by Caltius Capital Management, Columbia Capital, Enterprise
Partners, EssexWoodlands Health Ventures,Galen Associates,Mission Ventures, Sanderling
Ventures, Valhalla Partners, Vector Capital, and TheWicks Group. Prior to graduate school,
Walker served as a pilot in the United States Navy for 11 years, flying the P-3 Orion aircraft,
and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He received a BS in Finance from
Providence College and an MS in Finance from the Carroll School of Management Program
at Boston College.
About HarbourVest – HarbourVest Partners, LLC is an independent global alternative
investment firm and an SEC-registered investment advisor. HarbourVest provides investment
programs for institutional investors to invest in venture capital, buyout, mezzanine debt,
distressed debt, and real estate. HarbourVest invests in these sectors globally through primary
partnerships, secondary purchases, and direct investments. HarbourVest and its subsidiaries
have 230 employees, including 80 investment professionals deployed in Boston, London, and
Hong Kong. In over 25 years of investing in private equity, the team has committed $21.5
billion to newly formed funds, representing relationships with 200 private equity managers. The
team has also completed $5.8 billion in secondary purchases and invested $3.6 billion directly in
operating companies. The firm's clients consist of 250 institutional investors, including pension
funds, endowments, foundations, and financial institutions throughout the U.S., Canada,
Europe,Australia, and Japan.
'09 moderators
John Burton, Managing General Partner, Updata Partners
John Burton is Co-founder and Managing General Partner of Updata Partners and an Advisory Partner of Updata Advisors. His experience in information technology spans three decades as a senior executive of high-growth private and public companies.
Prior to Updata, from 1989-1995, Mr. Burton was with Legent Corporation, international, public enterprise software firm, as President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure, Legent grew from $126 million to over $500 million in revenue. Prior to Legent, Mr. Burton co-founded Business Software Technology, Inc. (BST) and served as Chief Operating Officer and Director. Profitable from inception, BST became the leader in software configuration management and grew at a compound growth rate of greater than 50% until its sale to Legent Corporation in 1989. Mr. Burton has served on the boards of several publicly held companies, including Banyan Worldwide (BNYN), ePresence (EPRE), MapInfo (MAPS), OTG Software (OTGS) and SAGA Software (SAGA). He has been recognized by the technology community in the mid-Atlantic with the 2001 Financier of the Year Award from The Northern Virginia, Maryland and DC Technology Councils and the 2002 Earle C. Williams Award for significant contributions to the Northern Virginia technology community. Mr. Burton was a founding member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) and is currently President and a director of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association (MAVA) and the Wolf Trap Foundation. He graduated with honors from Boston College.
Mr. Burton serves on the boards of Updata Partners portfolio companies: CoreStreet, Everest Software, Harmony Information Systems and ObjectVideo.
Jake Tarr, Managing Director, Kinetic Ventures
Mr. Tarr is a Managing Director and has spent 21 years at Kinetic Ventures as a Partner in seven of its funds.
Mr. Tarr joined Kinetic in 1987 and currently focuses his investment activities on power/clean technologies, outsourcing, billing, transaction software, distributed resources, and wireless applications. Mr. Tarr has led Kinetic’s investments in APX, Peace Software, and SmartSynch, among others. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of SmartSynch, and is a Director of APX. Prior to joining Kinetic, Mr. Tarr was a currency trader at the Bank of New York where he was the Head Deutsche Mark dealer.
Mr. Tarr received a BA degree from Roanoke College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Tom Wheeler, Managing Director, Core Capital Partners
Tom Wheeler joined Core Capital in 2005 after nearly three decades of working at the forefront of telecommunications policy and business development. As an entrepreneur, Tom founded multiple companies offering cable, wireless, and video communications services, and co-founded SmartBrief, the largest online targeted news service. As a policy expert, he has been intimately involved in the development of the government’s telecommunications policy at both the legislative and regulatory level. In 2009, he led the Obama-Biden Transition Project's Agency Review Working Group in charge of transitions for the science, technology, space and arts agencies.
On the 20th anniversary of the cable television industry (1995), Tom was selected as one of the 20 most influential individuals in the industry’s history and on the 25th anniversary of the cellular telecommunications industry (2008), he was named one of the top 10 innovators in the wireless industry. Tom was President of the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) from 1979 to 1984. After several years as CEO of various technology start-ups, including the first company to offer high-speed data to the home and the first digital video delivery service, he was asked to lead the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA), where he was CEO until 2004.
Tom is the former Chairman of the Foundation for the National Archives, Trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, appointed by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and Board Member of PBS. He has authored two books: Take Command: Leadership Lessons of the Civil War (Doubleday, 2000) and Mr. Lincoln’s T-Mails: The Untold Story of How Abraham Lincoln Used the Telegraph to Win the Civil War (HarperCollins, 2006).
Tom is a graduate of The Ohio State University and the recipient of its Alumni Medal for national and international career achievement. He resides in Washington, D.C.
Tom represents Core on the Boards of Directors of GoMobo, Jacked, LimeLife, Roundbox, Twisted Pair Solutions, and UpdateLogic. He is also on the board of Earthlink.
2009 CXO Panel Speakers
CEO Roundtable Discussion Leaders
- Homaira Akbari - CEO & President, SkyBitz Inc.
- Peter Harrison - CEO, GlobalLogic
- Jim Manzi - Chairman, Applied Predictive Technologies
CFO Roundtable Discussion Leaders
- John Baule - COO & CFO, K12
- David Samuels - CFO, Catch The Wind
- Steve Vintz - CFO, Vocus, Inc.
CMO Roundtable Discussion Leaders
- Jim Invers - CMO, Triumfant, Inc.
- Mary Knebel - Alarm.com
- Brian Reed - CMO, Boxtone, Inc.