Koolspan, based in Bethesda, MD, manufactures the TrustChip, a microSD card that enables drop-in, secure connectivity solutions to mobile devices.
The TrustChip system includes encrypted network connectivity and mutual authentication; a device-to-device architecture that protects critical voice and data traffic end to end; distributed security management without limits of scale or network type; and a dedicated and hardened crypto engine that offloads security processing from host devices.
Gregg Smith joined KoolSpan as CEO in September 2011, bringing more than 25 years of technology sales and operations experience that includes leading seven companies to successful exits.
At KoolSpan, Smith leads corporate strategy, focusing on sales growth, refining operations and developing global partnerships in order to establish KoolSpan s TrustChip as market leader for mobile security and encryption. As CEO of Acuity Mobile, Smith grew the mobile marketing firm from the startup phase, to the leader in hospitality and enterprise mobile marketing solutions.
He then negotiated its sale to NAVTEQ, a billion dollar division of Nokia. While at Aether Systems (NASDAQ:AETH), a wireless software solutions provider, Smith increased revenues from $3 million to $100 million in 3 years through product launches in over 40 countries.
He sold Aethers Enterprise Division to TeleCommunication Systems (NASDAQ: TSYS) and stayed on to run the division for two years.
Bill Supernor brings to KoolSpan a robust track record of performance and innovation based on more than 20 years of combined engineering and management experience.
Supernor joins KoolSpan from McLean, Va.-based Trust Digital, a leading provider of smartphone security management.
Prior to Trust Digital, Supernor served in senior-level positions at Cognio, Symantec, and McAfee/Network Associates. Supernor also served as a Lieutenant and Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy.
Supernor graduated with honors from National University with a Master of Science degree in Software Engineering, and with distinction from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Eric Ashman has over 18 years of experience in mobile software development, software-as-a-service, cloud infrastructure, telecommunications and systems engineering. He leads the team developing secure mobile communications software for use with KoolSpans TrustChip.
Prior to joining KoolSpan in 2012, Eric served as Director of Engineering for Mobile Advertising in the Location and Commerce division of Nokia. Ashman was responsible for post-click content delivery for the Location Point Advertising platform, which served location-aware ads to users of maps, apps, and mobile web sites.
Ashman also previously worked at Acuity Mobile, Proteus, Mars Music and USWeb/CKS. He has been a frequent speaker at trade shows, including COMDEX and NetExpo, and was an Adjunct Professor at American University.
Eric received his Bachelor of Science in Audio Technology and his Master of Science in Computer Information Systems from American University.
Francis Knott has over 17 years of mobility, technology, interactive media, software and healthcare experience building companies, growing revenue and launching and marketing new products.
Mr. Knott was recently SVP Business Development at Inflection Point Systems, a software and product development firm.
Prior to joining Inflection Point, Francis served as Senior Vice President of Gloto Corporation, a mobile social media company where he developed and implemented its go to market strategy.
Mr. Knott served as Vice President for Aether Systems, a mobile applications company where he was responsible for merger and acquisitions, corporate development and managing the P&L for its Mobile Office division that he sold to Telecommunication Systems and continued to serve as Vice President.
Mr. Knott has held business development positions with Alta Vista and Metropolitan Health Networks.
Gerald Murphy brings over 20 years Engineering, Management and Business Development experience in the field of innovative communications.
Previously Gerald held a Specialist Advisor role involving Business Teaming and Solution Architecture at Fujitsu U.K. ensuring success in winning complex Defence contracts.
Prior to that Mr Murphy held International Engineering, Programme Management and Lead International Sales roles at Harris RF Communications Division. This included successful Bid and Programme Management on flagship network encryption programmes and the management of the International Dealer network.
Gerald gained Project and Business responsibilities in the Financial Sector on the successful Euro Conversion with a financial outlook of 2.3 Billion Euros for Ernst & Young in the Netherlands.
Gerald started his career in the British Army ending an exemplary career with U.K. Special Forces as a signals and communications specialist.
Gina Smith has over 12 years of finance & accounting, financial reporting, human resources, budgeting and financial analysis experience in the technology industry.
Prior to joining Koolspan in 2006, Ms. Smith served as the Controller and Finance manager for Infotech Enterprises, the US subsidiary of a mutli national corporation where she was responsible for all finance and accounting.
Prior to Infotech Enterprises, Gina was a Financial Analyst at ComScore Networks in Reston, Virginia reporting to the Controller.
Ms. Smith has held various finance positions at Facility Engineering Associates and RipTech, Inc.
While at RipTech, Inc., Ms. Smith was responsible for all accounting and human resources and was a key contributor to its acquisition by Symantec Corporation in 2002.
Gina received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from The University of Virginia.
Founder & CEO at KoolSpan
John N. Stewart is the Senior Vice President, Chief Security Officer, Threat Response Intelligence and Development at Cisco.
John Stewart oversees the Threat Response, Intelligence and Development (TRIAD) organization. TRIAD has three missions: protect Cisco from threat, protect Cisco’s products from threat, and help protect Cisco’s customers. Key missions for these functional areas include:
Trustworthy Systems encompass development of defensive software, hardware-anchored software and firmware, identity management, and cryptology technologies for incorporation into Cisco products. The program also drives and continuously improves the Cisco Secure Development Lifecycle (CSDL), a process-driven “design for security” methodology applicable to products and offerings from all Cisco business units.
Threat Intelligence leverages Cisco’s global network footprint to “Get the data, know the data, do something with the data.” relevant to protecting Cisco and customers.
David S. Rose is a serial entrepreneur and active angel investor in New York. He is founder and CEO of Gust.
An Inc. 500 CEO (of boom-era wireless company AirMedia), Rose is an active early stage technology investor. He is the founder and Chairman of New York Angels, a large technology investment angel group; Managing Principal of Rose Tech Ventures, which invests in scalable, Internet-based businesses; Chair of the Finance, Entrepreneurship and Economics program at Singularity University; and Chairman of Egret Capital Partners, a middle market private equity firm. He founded a technology incubator in New York City, is a director of the 19,000 member NY Tech Meetup, and is an active keynote speaker on technology and finance issues.
Elads nearly 20 years in the cyber security industry spans experience as an executive, consultant, investor, investment banker and a several-time successful entrepreneur. Elads entrepreneurial experience includes Riptech, the pioneering provider of managed security services to governments and Fortune 500 corporations around the world, acquired by Symantec Corporation, Sentrigo, a leading provider of database security recently acquired by McAfee, and MediaSentry, a provider of anti-piracy technology solutions to the motion picture, music and software industries, acquired by SafeNet.
He is a member of several technology, security and community Boards, including the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) New York Metro Chapter, KoolSpan (Chairman); FBI Information Technology Advisory Council (ITAC) and the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Board for Command, Control and Interoperability for Advanced Data Analysis (CCICADA).
John Stewart is a Co-Founder and CEO of [PickUpPal](/company/pickuppal). He has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years, focusing primarily in Geographic Information Systems technology projects. He previously co-founded the spatial search engine Lasoo.com, which ended up being sold to [Yahoo](/company/yahoo).
John joined VantagePoint as a Venture Partner in 2008 and has been a member of the CleanTech Advisory Council for the past three years. Most recently, he was the CIO (retired) of BP, where he was closely involved in the development of corporate policy on technology foresight, global environmental performance, and sustainability. Honored by the Queen of England in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the international digital technology agenda. John is a graduate of Glasgow University (BSc Engineering) and is a Fellow of both the Institute of Electrical Engineering and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Gary B. O’Malley is senior vice president for The Greenspun Corporation (since 2002) and also serves as Chief Operating Officer for VEGAS.com (a travel and tourism portal for Las Vegas) and President of Las Vegas TV Partners, LLC. (a broadcast company).
The Greenspun Corporation manages and oversees the major assets of the Greenspun Family which includes real estate, gaming, media and communications.
Mr. O’Malley’s major responsibilities are related to G.C. Investments, LLC which is the private equity arm of the Greenspun Family. Gary holds a board seat with its major investments including:
SkyMall, Inc. (www.skymall.com), a retail magazine for airlines and online merchandising
Greenspun Broadcasting Group including KTUD Channel 14, (www.ktudtv.com), a television broadcast group; also serves as president of the station
Telesphere, Ltd. (www.telesphere.com), a provider of VOIP and other business communication services to SME clients
Tribune Company (www.tribune.
John Zei was President & CEO of Knowles Electronics LLC from 2000 to 2009 and Senior Advisor to Knowles in 2010 until his retirement.
While at Knowles Mr. Zei directed a highly leveraged and faltering electronics business through a period of restructuring, refinancing and product development, leading to a highly successful sale in 2005, recovering full value for all stakeholders.
After Knowles was acquired by Dover, Inc. Mr. Zei increased sales and profitability driven by introduction of disruptive technology.
Mr. Zei the development and commercialization of innovative MEMS based microphone which quickly grew to a 30% share of the mobile phone market.
Prior to joining Knowles Mr. Zei grew several companies in the hearing health care segment to market leading positions, including serving as CEO of Siemens Hearing Instruments for ten years prior to joining Knowles.
Mr. Zei has B.S and J.D. degrees from Loyola University, Chicago and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Nigel Jones is a partner at TWJ Capital LLC, a private equity investment firm specializing in early and expansion stage new ventures.
Prior to joining TWJ Capital in 2006, Nigel was a Principal at the Carlyle Group, which he joined in 1999 as an associate. At the Carlyle Group, he was a member of the U.S buyout team, focused on investments in the aerospace, defense, and federal technical services sectors. Prior to joining the Carlyle Group, he was an associate in the Technology Investment Banking group at Goldman Sachs & Co, based in San Francisco and Menlo Park from 1997 to 1999.
Prior to business school, Nigel was a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps from 1991 to 1995.
In his last assignment, he was the senior communications officer and communications platoon commander for the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, California.
Chief Scientist at KoolSpan