Zenas Hutcheson, Venture Partner
Zenas has been a venture capitalist and successful serial CEO for 30 years. Prior to joining Rally Ventures, Zenas co-founded and has co-managed Vesbridge Partners since 2004. Previously, he served as the co-Managing Partner of SPVC (formerly St. Paul Venture Capital), which he joined in 1997. Zenas was previously CEO of Vivo Networks (acquired by Real Networks), CAECO (acquired by Mentor Graphics), and Control Automation (acquired by Universal Instrument). Zenas also served as a Board member of PictureTel, Natural Microsystems, and Concord Data Systems. He started his career at Bain & Co. and BNY. In his spare time, Zenas enjoys racing sailboats and hunting Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock.
Notable Investments: Vivo Software (acquired by Real Networks); Acopia Networks (acquired by F5 Networks); Granite Systems (acquired by Telcordia); Castle Networks (acquired by Siemens); Geo Trust (acquired by Verisign); Sistina Software (acquired by Red Hat); Corvil Ltd.
Three “nevers” in your life: Never stop learning. Never give up. Never say never.
Michael Kline, Venture Partner
Michael is the President and Founder of Kline Capital, LLC. He founded the company to provide strategic insight and financial advisory services to the technology and media industries. In addition, Michael is a Managing Director of Stonehammer Capital and a Venture Partner with Vesbridge Partners, both firms are Minneapolis based and focus on early-stage venture capital.
Prior to founding Kline Capital, Michael was an Associate with Excelsior Equity Partners, a lower-middle market merchant bank. While at Excelsior Equity Partners he was actively involved in the day-to-day operations of portfolio companies as well as assisted in analyzing new investments, private placements, and M&A advisory assignments. Prior to joining Excelsior Equity Partners, Michael worked for Northland Securities and Craig-Hallum Capital Group while he attended graduate school.
Michael received his M.B.A and B.A. in finance from the University of St. Thomas where he participated in the Aristotle Fund.
Dr. Thomas R. Rowbotham, Vesbridge Venture Partner
Tom has been in the global communications sector for over 40 years. Tom came to Vesbridge from SPVC, where he has been a venture partner since retiring from British Telecom in 2000. Tom has been instrumental in driving the major carrier business development initiative for the networking companies in the Vesbridge portfolio.
Tom has served as a director or advisor to a number of Vesbridge portfolio companies, including Granite Networks, Optical Solutions, Teltier (DynamicSoft), and Visage. Prior to SPVC, Tom had been with BT since 1964, serving most recently as Director of Technology (de facto CTO). Tom was also Senior Vice President of Concert (a joint venture between BT and MCI) and General Manager and Director of several of BT’s organizations with responsibility for upward of 3000 people.
In addition to his 35 year career at British Telecom, Tom also founded Kimberley Communications, which was acquired by Flomerics and where he is currently the Deputy Chairman. Tom has been very active with many significant technology boards, serving as a director of IEEE, and is currently a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical Engineers.
Boards: Flomerics
Education: B.Sc. Queens University, Belfast; M.Sc University of Surrey; PhD University of Nottingham
Martin A. Rubin, CEO Smart City
Since 1994, Martin Rubin has been responsible for all aspects of the business including operations, finance, strategic planning and all FCC and PUC regulatory matters. Marty negotiated the acquisition of business in 1994 from Wiltel and Houston Sports Association and developed a successful purchase package for the buyout of Vista-United, Walt Disney World’s-® in-house telecommunications company. From 1995 to 1997, Marty was President of DCT Communications, Inc., an FCC license holder of wireless spectrum for voice and data communications in the 38 Ghz band, which was sold to Advance Radio Telecom in 1997 for $75 million.
In 1993, Marty was the President of Raptor Systems, Inc., a leading software developer of Internet firewall technology that was sold to AXENT for $225 million. Previously, Marty served as President and COO of AutoInfo, Inc. and Vice President of Corporate Information Systems of JP Morgan Chase. Marty received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania .
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