Cogitations, Inc.
Cogitations is a software technology incubator and capital management company
that leverages my assets in investments ranging from technology to real
estate. Post Metamor active investments include:
- Edventions, Inc. - in school educational technology platform. Sold
to Edison Schools.
- Etownsquare.com - small business online marketing firm.
- 8800 Bronx - historic building renovation.
- IF By Phone (ifbyphone.com) - Voice Portal for Information and entertainment.
In addition Cogitations functions as a family office managing a portfolio
of passive investments.
My Story
I have been associated with the data processing industry for more than
28 years. I am currently an independent investor leveraging my expertise
in computer technologies and business innovation and my belief in the power
of history.
In 1985, I founded Metamor Technologies, which focused its efforts on assisting
companies in transitioning their mission critical computer systems from
yesterday to today. Metamor employed more than 500 professionals,
located in 4 cities, who serve a wide range of clients from the banking,
telecommunications, health care, insurance, retail, and services industries.
Up until April of 1997, Metamor was a privately funded and operated company.
In April 1997, Metamor was sold to Corestaff, Inc. as described below.
In March 1999, I founded Edventions, Inc. a company dedicated to the transparent
integration of appropriate technology into elementary schools. In October
of 2001 Edventions was sold to Edison Schools, Inc.
From August 2002 until June 2003 I functioned as the interim Chief Operating
Officer of Jemmco Capital a 500mm, market neutral relative value hedge
fund while assisting in the recruitment of a permanent COO for Jemmco.
Experience at Metamor Technologies, Ltd.
Metamor Technologies was a consulting company that specialized in providing
technology transition services to a diverse mix of clients. To facility
technology transitions, Metamor provided training, client-server development,
database and OAT development, internet/intranet services, LAN/wan integration
and IT data center outsourcing services. My management and technology expertise
contributed to Metamor's explosive compound annual growth rate of over
60 percent. Metamor was listed among the top 25 Management Consulting firms
in Crain's Chicago Business Daily. In 1994 and 1995 Inc. Magazine ranked Metamor as one of the 500 fastest growing successful businesses
in the United States.
During this time I was a leading authority in business strategy, technology
transitions, client/server computing, operating systems, networking and software development methodologies. I wrote a monthly
column in the Chicago Computer Guide magazine, and was often called upon to speak at industry symposia and seminars
throughout the United States and in Europe. Attendees for these functions
typically include MIS managers and senior corporate executives from major
domestic and international corporations. Over the course of my career I
have led hundreds of seminars and classes ranging in length from hours
to days.
At Metamor I was responsible for providing systems and management expertise
to leading corporations that include Alcoa, Arthur Andersen, EDS, GTE,
Globex, Hughes, Perot Systems, Quill Corporation and United Health Care.
My assignments included IT strategy development, the reengineering of corporate
technology architectures, technical analysis of corporate networks and
application architectures and performance analysis and capacity planning.
I worked effectively with people at various levels in their companies -
from end users and technical staff to CEOs.
Up until August, 1998, I served as Metamor's President and CEO and provided
support to the business as Business Strategist, Chief Technologist, and
Director of Marketing. Much of his time was dedicated to the implementation
of an acquisition and expansion strategy.
Corestaff Merger
In March of 1997, I worked to orchestrate the acquisition of Metamor by
Corestaff. This transaction was originated to provide capital for
the rapid expansion of Metamor from a regional to a national firm and to
provide liquidity for Metamor's stockholders. My role expanded to
include the strategic acquisition of companies forming the system integration
division of Corestaff.
Post acquisition, Metamor continued its growth with an increase in revenues of 62 percent in 1997. The acquisition strategy, which drove the Corestaff merger, was implemented with over 10 acquisitions in place. When I left Metamor in August of 1998, Metamor Technologies was poised to complete the year (1998) with over 52 million dollars of revenue. The overall system integration group consisting of 10 plus acquired companies, had 1998 revenues over 250 million dollars.
In support of the enhanced expansion strategy, Corestaff changed their
corporate name to Metamor Worldwide and their NASQAQ trading symbol to
MMWW.Industry Recognition
On October 10th, 1996 I was inducted into the "Chicago Area Entrepreneurship
Hall of Fame" sponsored by University of Illinois at Chicago, Lord
Bissell and Brooks, and LaSalle National Bank. In 1997, I was a finalist
in the KMPG Illinois High Tech awards.
Past Experience
Prior To Metamor, I was employed by Digital Equipment Corporation for more
than five years. In my most recent position, I served as the Manager of
Digital's United States Data Communications Expertise Center. In 1984,
I was presented with the Key Contributor Award for efforts in forming this
Center. In 1982, I was Digital's Realtime Systems Data Processing Manager
on site at Sun Electric Company. For my six-month involvement in this project,
I received Digital's Residence award. In 1981, 1982, and 1983, I was cited
for the quality of his consulting efforts and received Digital Excellence
Awards.
Before joining Digital, I was President of Micobus, a microcomputer system
integration firm.
I began my technology career as a software consultant for Basic Four Corporation
after spending my first 6 months after graduation in a family business.
Education
Washington University
Bachelor of Science Degree - Computer Science
June 1977
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