Solestial, Inc. is the solar energy company for space. Solestial’s core technology is a breakthrough ultra-thin silicon solar cell that can self-cure radiation damage at normal operating temperatures in space, packaged in a flexible, lightweight panel designed to achieve minimum degradation for up to 10 years in LEO. Solestial panels can be mass-produced using automated machines resulting in costs 90% lower than incumbent technologies, with virtually unlimited manufacturing capacity. From today’s satellite constellations and research projects to tomorrow’s utility-scale energy infrastructure and services in space, Solestial is powering the new space economy.

Healthline Media is the world’s largest publisher of health-related information, reaching more than 250M unique users each month. I owned the P&L for the programmatic advertising business (~1/3 of overall revenue). In addition to this core role, I managed an evolving portfolio of related operational and/or analytical functions, including business intelligence, pricing & yield management, user data & privacy, strategy, FP&A, ad operations and new business incubation.

Samsung NEXT / Start provides strategic capital, office space, operational and product support to seasoned entrepreneurs developing market-driven software and services. Researched a variety of concepts in mobile crowdsourcing and blockchain. My core project, Proximy, was a physical data marketplace connecting smart device users with others (commercial or consumer) willing to offer compensation in exchange for current data on users’ immediate surroundings.

AppNexus is the world’s leading independent technology platform for digital advertising. I played a variety of roles over almost 4 years with the company. Early on, I managed the Microsoft relationship and our integration with Facebook Exchange (FBX). Later, I drove the development of the AppNexus Spend Protection (ASP) product, a key inventory quality initiative. For the last 2 years with the company, I was GM of the Automated Guaranteed (AG) initiative, responsible for end:end strategy, product development and go-to-market. We developed the buy-side AG application (Twixt) from scratch and I acted as executive sponsor for the Yieldex acquisition through which we acquired the sell-side AG application (Yieldex Direct).

Brand.net was an ad network focused on upper-funnel ("branding") campaigns for Ad Age 100 advertisers. We developed differentiated technology in forecasting and delivery management for guaranteed campaigns using non-guaranteed inventory sources. I was a cofounder, taking company from idea to $30M revenue run rate. Responsible for Strategy, Product, Engineering, Account Management and Media Buying. Also a board member. Brand.net was acquired by Valassis, to comprise the core of Valassis Digital

Responsible for development, implementation and management of Pricing & Yield Management (PYM) strategy for $2B global display ad business. Managed a global team of 30 high-leverage experts accountable for all aspects of strategy and execution, from specification of system and process requirements, to organizational change management, to operational management of rates and inventory allocation. Built function and team from scratch. Expanded scope quickly from sales only to broad corporate responsibility, from US to global. Reversed 2 years of steady CPM declines; average graphical CPMs grew at a compound quarterly rate of 10% from Q103 to Q107, contributing an incremental $100M+ to EBITDA (as we also grew revenue and took share). In early 2007, broader functions being performed under PYM umbrella for 3 years were combined with several new responsibilities to form a second group of 30 with product and operations responsibility for newly created ad network.

Optivo developed a software solution to enable online retailers to optimize prices, driving dramatic increases in margins without sacrificing revenue. Optivo technology automated revenue management for e-commerce using “live-testing” – scalably managing the testing of a range of prices for each product, measuring impact of different prices on conversion rate and optimizing accordingly. In customer trials the Optivo Solution drove gross margin increases of 20-40%. Responsible for all company operations as founding president for first year of company’s growth, up to 25 employees. Recruited a CEO, then transitioned to primarily outbound BD role. Held Board seat for entire period.

IUMA, founded in 1993, was the first Internet music company. The company operated an Internet-based platform for independent artists to distribute and promote their music. Held broad responsibility for strategic planning, business development and financing efforts, including the sale of the company to Emusic.com (itself later acquired by Vivendi Universal).

R.B. Webber & Company was a Silicon Valley strategy consulting boutique founded by McKinsey and BCG alumni. Clients ranged from venture-backed start-ups to the Fortune 500, including Apple, HP, FedEx, and Applied Materials. The firm also directed investment activities of the Entrepreneur’s Fund, a $100M early-stage venture fund with early investments in several companies which completed successful IPOs including Commerce One, AvantGo, and Sagent. Responsible for research, development and presentation of strategic recommendations to senior management of high-tech firms. Particular expertise in quantitative methodologies applied to business strategy issues. Managed research and analytical efforts of multiple engagement teams.