Silicon Alley 100: People's Choice

I <3 her.

Bill’s breakfasts are an invaluable networking and learning experience. He’s one of the most effective mixers and facilitators I’ve ever met.

OMG. It’s feel so good! (No i’m not gonna tell you)

Many thanks to all who voted for me… i am not sure I can tell who you are unless you had left a comment.  Also a special thanks to Carl for the original nomination.  Now that we are here BricaBox and with a new look, what are we doing with it?

He is a legend in his own mind

Your passion and commitment in making free wifi access available to all—especially to those who cannot afford it—is worthy of this nomination.  I applaud your efforts…

Um, anyone heard of Bunstin?  See thine creator!

Juan Proaño
President

Juan M. Proaño is co-founder and President of Plus Three, which was formed in 2001 to improve the way progressive organizations build constituent groups and fundraise by giving them immediate access to the widest array of contributors, while reducing the cost of each dollar raised. During the last 10 years Juan has developed a level of expertise in the areas of product development, strategic marketing and software integration that have produced industry leading technologies and best practices in the fields of database marketing, email delivery technologies and one-to-one communications tactics for GOTV and fundraising efforts. In addition, he has guided the growth of Plus Three, most recently leading the acquisition of the PIRT group from Primedia.

Juan’s extensive work with Plus Three customers the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, John Kerry for President and the NAACP has established him as an expert in online fundraising, constituency management and the political landscape. His leadership was instrumental to the creation of the DNC Demzilla database that enabled the Democrats to raise more than $85 million online in 2004 and surpass the Republican National Committee’s fundraising efforts for the first time. Juan frequently provides leadership training, sharing his expertise in using technology in elections at national events, such as the Democratic National Convention, Democratic GAIN and the DNC Latino Leadership Conference. He also provides political and technology commentary and has appeared in national publications including the National Journal, Newsweek and Time.

http://www.plusthree.com/about/team/jproano/

Y’all forgot about Noel!

Luck of Seven, Coworking Brooklyn… nominate away!

GOLDEN, BRILLAINT, AND I MUST AGREE WITH MEGNAR, LADIES...HOT HOT HOT!!!

an amazing individual…

the real deal- just like Holyfield

Dana,

Thanks so much for the free hot spots. My IPhone loves you for it.

J

Richie is an amazing context juggler. It is pretty much impossible to keep up with all the ideas and people he connects you too. His mind is always MIP ing not only on how he can create yet another company or leverage an opportunity, but how he can help others. I’ve never seen a better networker or someone so well connected. He definitely has the gift for turning people he meets in to fellow collaborators.

Rick Landsman

your work is an inspiration to us all.

Your WiFi work is a great service to the city. And your brilliance in social networking deserve to be recognized. -Dave Ho

You made a man and his dog very happy! 

Dana’s work extends far beyond NYCWireless.  He also advises us at mediamerx.com Well deserved!

Dana you are it according to me, the people!
Love and best wishes-
meg

Dana’s passion and commitment to NYC Wireless should not go unnoticed! New York City is a better place, thanks to his efforts.

Dana works tirelessly to provide FREE wifi 24/7.I see you can vote for more than one Nominee.It’s time to vote again for the “George Bailey” of our time,Dana Speigel..“The richest man in town!”

Dana does a great job furthering the wireless access theme and is very deserving.

Roy, Boston MA

The internet knows no boundaries and neither should WiFi. Thank you Dana for your dedication and passion to make WiFi available to everyone in the city. -Mindy

Hope you get this award Dana. Congratulations.

Way to go Dana! I really hope you’ll get this award.

You are more than worthy of this award. You have my vote!

Our pleasure to nominate our favorite (and smartest) cuz.

Laurie and Mark

You’ve got my vote!

Dana has been a great asset to Community Access.Being a tenant,in one of their buildings,Dana has always answered my emails,and corrected malfunctions promptly...(any time of day or night) If not for him,I would not be able to afford the high speed wireless he has generously maintained.He is deserving of this award,no matter how many votes are cast. 

Thanks for making NYC wireless, and PH 22 wifi! Dana, you’re a star! - Sarah & David

Great guy. Terrific entrepreneur!

There has been things I’ve worked with Adam that has helped me think about new media in a very different light.  Innovative is not just a description it’s a synonym.

Lubna is a great person to know, well connected globally, visionary, and passionate about Web 2.0, mobile, new media, and Social Networks.

Lubna is a leader who is motivated from within

Lubna is a leader who is motivated from within

Lubna is a leader who is motivated from within

there are people who work in technology, and then people who make technology what it is.  Karen is a maker - hands down a genius in her space.

Uncompromisingly brilliant. Steadfastly diligent.
Generously loyal.
Funny as SHIT!
And ladies .. HOT as all get out!
... I’m just sayin’ ... 

One word “Visionary”!!!!!!!!!

Adam has a great Bolg, He view the industry in a unique way, not only technology but client oriented!

The comment I would make about Andrew would be as short as only saying “He is The idea man!”

IILWY is my favorite NY-based web thing.

Charles, I visited your office for an IILWY beta feedback thinger a while back. I didn’t see any life-size posters, but I think I saw like a ‘70s secretary motivational work poster, framed, with pastel colors that was kind of rad.

Charlie beats rocks, papers, and scissors equally.

I had a conversation with Fred once and got really angry because he kept repeating himself and not really listening to me. Then I realized I was talking to his Voki avatar on his blog and everything was OK.

I like Fred.

<3 Meetup

Adam Broitman cured my general malaise.

Marc is the SVP, Business Development & Strategy for Starz Media. He is responsible for the generation, evaluation and execution of business development and growth opportunities for all of Starz Media’s business units including Starz Home Entertainment (including label Anchor Bay Entertainment), Manga Entertainment (Japanese Anime production/acquisition division), Starz Feature Animation, Film Roman (non-feature animation), Starz Productions (non-feature live-action), Starz Media Worldwide Marketing & Distribution and Overture Films (feature film division). Marc is primarily focused on exploring opportunities related to emerging digital platforms.

In addition to Marc’s Business Development responsibilities, he is also the lead operational and execution executive for Starz Media’s digital initiatives which currently include: long-form video distribution via electronic sell-through, video-on-demand and other business models, the creation and distribution of short-form video and casual gaming products for online and wireless platforms, pursuing strategic partnerships and investments in digital media to build value and distribution for Starz Media’s content, and overseeing/managing Starz Media’s web properties and other digital media infrastructure.  Digital deals DeBevoise has overseen include content distribution agreements with Amazon Unbox, Xbox Live, Netflix, YouTube, Heavy.com, Crackle.com, BitTorrent, IGN and others. DeBevoise and his team are also responsible for the various website and broadband channels of Starz Media including, www.manga.com, a destination site for global fans of Japanese anime, and www.starzbunnies.com, a animated movie parody destination.

Prior to joining Starz Media, Marc was the Director of Emerging Markets for NBC Universal Digital Media where he was responsible for generating and executing new business development opportunities related to NBCU’s Internet/Broadband and Wireless businesses. Marc joined NBCU as a member of the Business Development group where he executed various corporate-level projects and transactions including the evaluation/execution of acquisitions and investments in digital media and related industries, the analysis of various motion picture slate-financing structures for Universal Pictures, and the integration, strategic planning and restructuring of Universal Parks & Resorts.

Prior to joining NBCU, Marc was an Associate in the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Investment Banking Group at JPMorgan in San Francisco and New York. In this role, Marc executed and advised on equity, debt and M&A transactions in various sectors including Internet Media, Software, and Information & Business Services. Marc has also worked in Corporate Financial Planning & Operations at Cablevision Systems Corporation and Motion Picture & Television Production Finance at Miramax.

Marc received his MBA with distinction in Entertainment, Media & Technology and Finance from NYU’s Stern School of Business and his BA in Economics and Computer Science from Tufts University. Marc and his wife, Trisha, live in New York City.

About Starz
Starz, LLC, is a holding company that operates Starz Media and Starz Entertainment. Starz LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corp. that is attributed to Liberty Capital Group (NASDAQ: LCAPA, LCAPB). Starz Media is a programming production and distribution company operating worldwide. It includes the Film Roman, Anchor Bay Entertainment, and Manga Entertainment brands. Its units create animated and live-action programming—including theatrical films—and programming created under contract for other media companies. It distributes that programming, and programming acquired from outside producers, through home video retailers, theaters, broadcasters, ad supported and premium television channels, and Internet and wireless video distributors in the US and internationally. Starz Entertainment is a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz® and Encore® brands with approximately 15.1 million and 27.1 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HDTV, Starz On Demand and VongoSM. 

Marc Debevoise is one of the leaders in bringing old media content into the digital landscape

responsible for the Digital Innovation Strategy for the MDC Partner Network; this includes investments acquisitions, and partnerships, as well as working with the partner companies to grow their digital capabilities.  Brandon is responsible for identifying trends and areas for investment across the digital landscape, including incubating new digital opportunities. 

Brandon was most recently Partner, Senior Strategist for Digital Innovation at Ogilvy, a group that he founded in 2004. While at Ogilvy, Brandon was responsible for leading client engagements regarding the application of innovative and emerging technologies. Clients included Unilever (Dove and Suave), Hershey’s, IBM, American Express, DHL, Cisco, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), DHL, AT&T Wireless and Delta.

Prior to joining OgilvyInteractive, Brandon was the director of marketing for WideRay Corp (now Qwikker), a wireless technology company he co-founded in 2000. In addition to WideRay, Brandon has been a consulting resource for entertainment, technology, gaming and mobile companies on leveraging digital media including gaming, wireless, and emerging platforms for extending a brand message into an individual’s personal environment.

During Brandon’s career in advertising and marketing, he has worked on multiple brands including: Adidas, Land Rover, IBM, Cisco, Bluenile, Clear Channel, Microsoft, Sony, Netscape, nVidia, AMD, and Red Envelope, to name a few.

Brandon has spoken at numerous industry events such as CES, E3 and Digital Hollywood, and is one of the early pioneers of the intersection of Advertising and Video Games, as well as leveraging the mobile channel as a marketing platform.  He is a charter member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Gaming Committee. He volunteers with the Taproot Foundation, and is an active participant with the World Wildlife Fund.

Brandon has a B.A. in economics from Tufts University and has won multiple awards in advertising, such as the Clio, the Cannes Lion, the Addy, and an Effie.

In short - Adam is the man.

Lubna is a true visionary; her passion, enthusiasm and energy coupled with her vast knowledge of the mobile technology arena are just a few of the reasons why this tech gal is my nominee.

Tons of energy and intellegence. A visionary in mobile technology space.

Lubna has been around for quite a few years and she is really a key person in the trendy Mobile industry. She rocks !

If you could get your hands on one address book for our industry, you’d want to steal Masha Geller’s. The woman who knows every mover and shaker that matters. They just don’t take her calls. They call her.

Adam embraces emerging media sources like no other.  His background as a composer enables him to effortlessly mix, mingle, coerce and manipulate media to meet “the message.” His ability to work alone, in groups or as a sounding board for projects and ideas always grants great results and reveals Adam’s true talent as an “artiste” in all he does.

shes so awesome

He is the most brilliant strategist I have ever met. And I’ve met plenty. Plus he’s sort of cute. In an emerging and creative kind of way.

i don’t actually know oz in person but facebook told me aaalll about him :D

I nominate Lubna for this award because she has heart, soul and passion for all things and works tirelessly for social good and the human dimension of technology

Adam is the new expert for digital/social media. Who wouldnt want to vote for this guy?

I met Adam at Podcamp Boston2. He has a personality that is quick to make a deep impression on the people he comes in contact with. Definitely an innovator and someone that people can learn a lot from. His music is cutting edge and indicative of his understanding of the use of technology to communicate ideas. Adam ROCKS!

I nominate Lubna for being a driving force behind MoMo-NY and maintaining her world-wide network of experts in many fields.

Lubna was great to work with for the Mobile Mondays Boston event at Mobile Internet World!

Put everybody in a room and divide it up into groups of people who have read and been influenced by Seth Godin and people who haven’t.

Then hand the latter (and smaller) group some of Seth’s books.

No event is complete without Sanford!

He always brings positivity and energy to everything he encounters, and we all benefit from it.

His intentions are always genuine- he really does want to do his part to make NY Tech better, and he helps bring out the best in all of us.

I adore this man.

Spending time with Lubna makes me want to change the world. Talking to her for even a few minutes is such an energizing experience.

She’s an inspiration and is also a super great person. She’s also better at finding parking spots than anyone in Manhattan!

Lubna rocks! A tech gal with a large dose of humanity.

Lubna is more than a mere technologist, she is an inspiring personality crossing every imaginable border.

Nominated for her networking skills, devotion to creating a forums for industry dialog around critical ecosystem issues and passion for bringing the benefits of mobile communications to less advantaged markets

Lubna has been instrumental in driving for technology, innovation, and socialization in the mobile space.  We need more like Lubna,

Oz is the best-est, super-est, funniest, upper-east-side-est, friend ever-est (not the mountain).

yea that’s about it… and i am determined to see to it that he gets a shit-load more votes!

p.s. - i love hyphens.

Adam has brought the word creativity to a whole new level!

this is the go-to guy for new media. adam 3.0

Lubna is a the leading social technologist who is creating the new world order.  Take the time to feel her vision, we are going there.

If you don’t already know Dina… you should!

Nominated for tireless motivation as a founder of MoMo-NY, and benefiting our community with a great platform for dialog, democracy and humour.

Joanna’s perspective generates an environment to push creative thinking to the next level.  Her foresight into the digital world provides a “safety net” for those of us who might otherwise be paralyzed to explore it.

top boy - the ultimate Mr Fix It.

Morpheus Media is proud to work with Adam Broitman - a leader and a visionary

Agreed!

A true industry insider. 

very bright, always thinking of the next idea or how to make things work, follows through on things and great laugher.  keep up the good work but don’t get too lonely at the top or forget about us little guys ;-)

Greg’s blog is a daily dose of digital that everyone needs to take

An entrepreneur who understands Madison Ave

This woman is a great person to lopok up to for just about anyhting. Shes an amazing role model and she deserves this. shes broken through to people and really affected anyone she has met. always good things. Online candy for all!

Her blog is daily candy for media movers and shakers

she brings it.  she does more than push the envelope - try reinvents it. just gets it.  great ideas with the grace of a former developer.  add a little water and clients love her too.

Sarah is awesome

There is the top 5% of the interactive media industry, and then there is Masha Geller leading the top 1%. Few have the insight and vision that Masha has and few have the holistic understanding of an industry so new and so powerful. A true pioneer!

I respect and admire what he has and is doing for our industry. I am proud to say that Mr. Diller’s enterprise is a client as well as partner.

Pete Deutschman
Chief Buddy
The Buddy Group

Eric is by far the nicest person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is what I refer to as “the great connector”. 

Broitman is a spectacular mentor, leader and great person to work with. 

Pete has created a tremendous environment for the development and execution of digital creative projects.

Since first meeting him in Jan 2006, Andrew has been incredibly warm and accessible, and gave me the initial push I needed to start doing video podcasts.

He can also out-throw and out-run everybody on the ultimate frisbee field. 

John is both a leader and approachable.  He understands traditional media, social media, and has an uncanny understanding of Transparency trends. 

Broitman not only completely understands social media, he also has a fantastic taste in rocknroll.  A++

Amen!

oh hellz yeah!

always out front and providing new information

Adam is an emerging technologies visionary and a leader in our field. His scope of knowledge is astounding and his passion for the business is infectous. A true evangelist.

Definately!

Definately!

Among the other things she’s awesome at, Caroline can play a mean game of Ultimate Frisbee :)

From new media to virtual worlds to business strategy, Adam more than “gets it.”

Hi Ava,
As a fellow Cagorian I wanted to stop by and say well done on your community. Cagora is the fastest growing Network on the internet, where all of the Web2.0 features come together in one place, and your community is one of the best going.

I’m more than happy to recommend you, and invite people to join your community to help it grow.

Cagora is about to turn Web2.0 on it’s head, and It’s Free to Join, with a Free affilate program, and as a paid venture the Community Partnership program where you can advertise, have fun, contribute content, and Make A Difference.

Well done, see you at Cagora.

Jude

she is where art and tech intersect. A gifted creative, savvy strategist and now a leader of New York’s digirati.  You go girl! 

I love the way Adam’s mind works. He embraces new media...getting deep down into the root of it to figure out why it works or doesn’t.
Oh, and he’s a snappy dresser too! 

I made a point of meeting Adam after I caught his byline in a competitor periodical and promptly put him onstage and did my best to lure him to write for iMedia Connection. There are a lot of crystal gazing prognosticators out there, but Adam is focused not only on the future but also on where the money IS in that future, and that’s a key and useful difference.
Brad Berens
Chief Content Officer
ad:tech & iMedia

Adam truly helps devise cutting edge strategy for a variety of clients. I follow Adam’s analysis of the media industry, and his approach to the media/ marketing industries is exceptional. He is constantly striving to pave the path for new conversations and push & challenge the entire industry.

He is very knowledgable regarding all aspects of the Interactive space, and an overall great guy

Adam gets it, when you’re talking about new media, virtual worlds, the whole nine yards and then some. 

Jason Rapp is one of the kindest, savviest and most knowledgeable people I have met in my life.  New York’s digital media community benefits greatly from having Jason in its midst.

Another *exciting* tech startup, if I may say so myself… right, Jeff?

A true connector, Adam brings the big wigs and the young passionates together at the same table to make things happen.  He is driven and determined.  VirtualLive was his concept, PodCamp NYC wouldn’t exist without him, client on the Morpheus roster are constantly presenting new opportunities to engage their users. A gentleman and a scholar.

Adam is not only a new media evangelist but a creative guy who knows out to get the most for his clients.

Working with Joanna is a breath of fresh air. She not only understands exactly what her clients need and want, but then she also knows how to execute it, effectively, efficiently - and produces results that has her clients returning over and over. 

joanna is one of the most strategically gifted and creative people i have ever met

Have worked with Darren in the past and he’s a thought leader.

Adam is the Director of Emerging and Creative Strategy at Morpheus Media. He is a new media and emerging platforms guru.

He is a leading new media expert and blogger in NY - Morpheus Media.

Joanna’s one of my most trusted sources of insight into our business.

This is the lady to watch! Look out world ‘cause she coming fast and fabulous.She is on a fast hard drive down success lane.

she gives daily food for thought

Great Blog, very insightful

Digital marketing practitioner and Creative Director extraordinaire, Joanna Peña-Bickley, explores the world of digital advertising and experience building.  Check out her ON:Digital+Marketing blog at http://joannapenabickley.typepad.com

Ava is a very persistent and energetic person who continuously seeks to better her community and our urban environment. She unselfishly lends her time and talents to improving park conditions including tree planting and youth activities. She is a strong advocate of NYC’s recycling and anti-graffiti efforts.

Looking forward to the next breakfast!

Entrepreneur, angel, activist, mogul and community organizer. Jason founded CDNOW and grew it to a NASDAQ listed $600 mm global company. Exited, retired and has remained active in the NY tech community investing, giving advice and mentoring. Jason is currently involved in another NY tech startup.

Jason Rapp is one of the top dealmakers.  but more importantly, he’s ethical, straight-forward, and a great guy.

Dina is the glue that binds Silicon Alley.

Ava is a great community organizer in Rego Park, Queens.
She is active in environmental and neighborhood concerns and is very active in her church.

She is a member of almost all the social networking groups and is very influential in helping people utilize the power of the Net.

Yes, I nominated myself.

thanks for the kind words and support. it is truly deeply appreciated.

Powerful investor.

Powerful investor.

Dens!

Brad Powers founded Active Response Group in 2004. His mission was to provide marketers, agencies, and brand managers a way to simultaneously increase revenues, decrease costs, and get closer to their consumers.  Under his leadership, ARG quickly became one of the leaders in the online lead generation space. Before starting ARG, Brad served as Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing for eWOMP Technologies, a provider of customized email and viral marketing solutions. His clients included Microsoft, Town Sports International, Zone Perfect, Petersons, Thompson Learning, and Prometric. Previously Brad was Chief Marketing Officer for Wanakee Design and Products, a direct marketer of high-end cosmetic products. Brad received an MBA and BA in Psychology from Clark University.

A man of all seasons.Way ahead of his time.
Serena Sive

Why not?

Kathryn is a force of nature and poised to be the next media mogul we will all be taking lessons from.  Keep your eye on her as she is rising fast.

Dina is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. An incredible business woman, smart, passionate and changing the world!

Hilary is passionate, professional, devoted and above all a dreamer that executes and makes her dreams reality.
That she also has a heart and takes excellent care of the people she works with only add to the magic.
Watch Hilary’s continued rise in the US - it’ll be worth your time .. 

A dedicated entrepreneur with the ability to see past the now, there’s more to come from this business woman! 

He’s a big promoter/evangelist of the nyc tech scene… something the area needs more of.

This dude knows what’s going on with media and is making some smart moves - a rare thing with big media.

Karin is not only brilliant and business savvy, she is also an incredibly kind and outstanding person.

You should see Brett in action at his events - he’s all over the place making sure he introduces himself as well as helping others make connections. This is what the NY tech scene needs!

Joel’s a great spirit wherever he is! Plus, PalTalk is just awesome!

Howard’s SMC in New York is one of the greatest informal events. They’re informative and worth attending!

Excellent event last night! Keep up the great work!

Karin is truly amazing. She was a very beneficial resource when writing my business plan and I credit her for a lot of my company’s success. 

HOLY HANNAH
BILL’S THE MAN!

She’s got a grind going that would wear most of us down ; but she is always smart, coming at you with an effervescent nature, and she is kind. Uncommon person.

Seems always willing to lend an ear, that’s uncommon.

Vote for Peter

most dynamic entrepreneur by far!

dina makes things happen.  only a few can do that.  and she is the ultimate connector and business thinker. hands down in the top of the media class.

Peg Samuel is a pure networking powerhouse.  She knows everybody who is anybody in the industry.  While driving her own company she also manages all of our events for The Internet Oldtimers.  She is irreplaceable.

Brian has done wonders with Technology and is still not done changing how we look at it and use it. 

Nate’s a great person.

She is amazing and smart!

He so completely deserves to be on this list! Go Tristan!
--MB

Joel has a great networking group that I love to attend their events are always filled with interesting people. 

Greg’s blog is definitely one of the most innovative and interesting marketing blogs. 

Founder of Rocketboom and all around great guy.

Richie is one of a kind!

Nominate John!

Joel is an incredibly thoughtful and generous guy.

Couldn’t be a nicer guy!

And Andrew Clooney looks like him.  I’m still bummed he didn’t win that election.

She’s smart; she’s nice; and she can swim further than you.

A rose, indeed.

Smart, smart, smart

Did you attend that Founders Club party? Enough said.  I vote for Dina!

Scott’s the best.

Richie Hecker is Crazy. If you vote or him, you are just acknoledging that fact - his Mother is trying to get him to change his ways so that he is less crazy. Richie does not want to change as he likes being crazy. So by voting for him you are really just voting for crazy people. The question is: are you crazy? If not, why aren’t you?

Innovation is a brainchild of Crazy!

I have been running the NY:MIEG breakfasts since June 2006 and have met so many incredible people and have helped to build tons of relationships.

Thank you all for the nice comments.

-Bill

I have been running the NY:MIEG breakfasts since June 2006 and have met so many incredible people and have helped to build tons of relationships.

Thank you all for the nice comments.

-Bill

Karin Klein

VC at Softbank

Karin is talented and helpful. The Alley needs more VCs like her.

Rich is very modest. He brings passion and intelligence to some business activities that don’t always value those qualities highly.  He’s an original and accomplished.  He takes everything about business seriously; except himself.  He’s “Tops” whether he wins this popularity contest or not.

Rich is a serial entrepreneur and vc who not only cares about Silicon Alley but is one of it’s biggest “behind the scenes” proponents.  Bravo, Rich!

Brett’s a great person to know! He’s created some amazing stuff within the NY tech community through his and others events.

Nate’s a great guy! He’s genuine and knows his stuff! 

CooBric is one of Sanford’s little quirks that brought together a small coworking organization (along with Nate). Great stuff!

I enjoy Bill’s breakfast events - it’s the right dose of caffeine to get the brain started!

WLTV rules!

Darren is exceptional!

I worked with Jason back in the old days, just after he sold Mischief New Media to MTV Networks.  Jason has the unique combination of knowing how to get s&%* done with the staff, while at the same time dealing with the suits and keeping them happy.  He can uniquely play both sides.  Combine that with an astute understanding of consumer behavior, human motivations, user experience, and how to monetize business ideas, and this is why Jason is such a winner.

the best man for the job

An industry innovator, always a few steps a head of the pack

Strong leader, influential, confident and passionate about technology.

A student, a leader, a solid stand-up guy.

Stuart Ellman is a founding partner of RRE Ventures.  With one of his partners, he also co-teaches a very popular course at Columbia Business School, which is how I know him.  The majority of my classmates multiple times have solicited career advice from him.  I’ve also gotten the chance to see him connect NYC parties pretty easily for their mutual gain but none of his own.

I know Oz and Bret Petersel from their events - two of the greatest people I’ve ever met within the tech community! 

Pownce is pretty rad.

Brilliant. A real visionary in the industry.

Brilliant. A real visionary in the industry.

Ezra Kucharz is EVP, North American Online Operations & Global Online Platforms of Oberon Media, responsible for the company’s US online operations including revenue generation, partnership development, product development, marketing, web operations, fulfillment and global platform development.
Kucharz was previously COO of NBC Universal’s iVillage Properties, setting the company’s strategic path and managing day-to-day operations of the iVillage Properties.

Previously SVP of Digital Innovation for NBC Universal, Kucharz led the formation of the Company’s digital media strategy, creating and launching NBC Universal Digital Studios.

Before NBC Universal, Kucharz was MD of Advanced Media at the US Tennis Association. There, he launched and managed the Advanced Media business unit and served on the US Open Management Committee.

Kucharz also founded and served as the VP of Sales and Business Development at Total Sports, a digital sports media and marketing company that provided integrated media and marketing solutions to organizations invested in sports.

Kucharz has also served for the Space Flight Medical Operations Branch at the NASA/Johnson Space Center and was a commissioned Army Officer, assigned to the US Army Reserve.

Kucharz holds a Bachelor