As President and CEO, Biju Nair is responsible for the execution and strategy of HYLA’s global business. He leads the company’s expanding effort to grow the company’s global strategic vision, with a focus on bringing new technology solutions and new business opportunities to the forefront. He is responsible for all aspects of ensuring the company’s short and long-term goals are realized and that the corporate strategy is secure and engaged.

Experience

Bringing more than 20 years of experience to his role, Biju is a recognized entrepreneur and technology industry leader. Most recently, he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Strategy Officer for Synchronoss, where he was responsible for leading the technology direction and strategic vision of the company as well as investor relations.

Prior to joining Synchronoss, Biju was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sapience Knowledge Systems, Inc., a venture-backed wireless software company that was acquired by Synchronoss Technologies in 2011. Previously, he held the position of Senior Vice President and GM of the Connectivity and Security Group at Smith Micro Software and Corporate Vice President and GM and founder of Mobility Solutions Group at PCTEL, Inc. which was acquired by Smith Micro in 2008. In addition, Biju has held senior executive positions at SAFCO Technologies and Agilent Technologies.

Biju is a globally sought speaker for major wireless conferences and serves on the boards of various mobile start-up companies. In 2015, he was a panel speaker at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. He has also been a speaker at CTIA, Wireless Influencers’ Conference and Mobile Future Forward. Biju serves on the boards of numerous venture-backed start-up companies and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Leadership Council of CTIA’s Wireless Internet Caucus and IEEE Computer Society. He also holds several wireless technology related patents.

Education

Biju has a Master of Science Degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering from Politechnika Warszawska and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology.

Paul Catalano is the Senior Vice President of Program Management and Customer Satisfaction at HYLA. He leads the customer operations team and is responsible for overall customer success, strategic direction, account management, and service delivery of the company’s portfolio of products & services.

Experience

Prior to his current role, Paul served as HYLA’s Vice President of Corporate Development where he led new business development activities with prospective customers, partners, and merger & acquisition candidates. Prior to joining HYLA, Paul was as an investment banker in the consumer electronics, software, and telecommunications industry as Managing Director with Succession Partners and Livingstone Partners. Previously, Paul served as Executive Vice President of Strategy with RCBG Consulting, leading the management consulting firm’s Technology, Media, and Telecom (TMT) practice. Paul began his career serving roles in business development, product management, and product engineering with Hewlett Packard, Texas Instruments, and OmniSky Wireless.

Education

Paul earned his MBA from the University of Chicago (Booth School of Business), and his BS Engineering from SMU (Lyle School of Engineering).

Rebekah Griffiths is the Vice President of Product Management at HYLA. She and her team lead the product definition, prioritization and support working closely with clients, business development and marketing for maintaining a rich and comprehensive roadmap. Rebekah joined HYLA in 2011 as part of the Flipswap acquisition where she was responsible for Services Delivery to partners and customers.

Experience

Rebekah is passionate about bridging business and technology and it is here that she has spent the 15+ years of her career. Her tenure in consulting has afforded her a broad set of experiences delivering solutions across business functions including finance, supply chain, sales and marketing. Prior to HYLA, she spent 8 years at Microsoft in consulting, sales and partner management roles and helped incubate the Business Solutions practice for ERP and CRM.

Education

Rebekah earned her BS in Accounting with a minor in Information Systems from University of Texas, Dallas and her MBA from UCLA with certificates in Entrepreneurial Studies and Global Management.

Joe is the General Manager of our Emerging Business Group at HYLA, responsible for developing and growing new lines of business, with an initial focus on InsurTech solutions to enable an optimized digital customer experience, reduce cost through risk avoidance technologies and mitigate fraud by leveraging Artificial Intelligence. We provide solutions to insurance, device OEM, wireless carrier, ecommerce and retail partners seeking to expand into the aftermarket insurance business, remotely validate device condition and other value-creating use cases.

Experience

Joe most recently served as Vice President of Product Management & Marketing and corporate officer for wireless carrier U.S. Cellular Corporation (USM), where he led development and management of all products (devices, apps and services), customer acquisition and retention, as well as pricing and promotions. In addition, he oversaw the Innovation and Strategic Investments teams, whose primary responsibilities were developing future revenue streams.

A respected executive in the wireless industry, Joe is a regular speaker at industry conferences, served on CTIA’s Wireless Internet Council Leadership Committee and as Venture Advisor to Relay Ventures (Silicon Valley Venture Capital firm focused on mobile software, services, and technology).

Prior to U.S. Cellular, Joe was a Principal at Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, where he helped clients develop and launch disruptive, technology-enabled business strategies.

Education

Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan, as well as a Masters in Business Administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!).

Cindy Sewell is the Vice President, Corporate Administration for HYLA. She and her team lead Human Resources, Facilities, Internal Communications and Corporate Governance.

Experience

Prior to her current role, Cindy served as HYLA’s Vice President of Talent Management. Prior to joining HYLA, Cindy spent 7 years at Essilor of America leading a global Human Resources function in five countries. Prior to Essilor of America, Cindy spent 11 years in progressive Human Resource roles at firms such as Signet Armorlite Global, RadioShack and Hillwood Properties.

Education

Cindy earned her BS in Business Administration, Management with a minor in Marketing from West Texas A&M University.

Chintan Shah is the Vice President of Data Science and Business Intelligence at Hyla. He and his team lead the Analytics, Business Intelligence and Data Science practice within HYLA and is responsible for development of HYLA Analytics platform that provides customers with actionable insights in the domain of mobile device trade and re-use.

Experience

Chintan has over 13 years of experience building and leading organizations centered on Analytics, Predictive Modeling, Business Intelligence, Big Data and Data mining. In his various roles, he developed and executed on enterprise information management, information delivery and data monetization strategies. Prior to Joining HYLA, Chintan led the data warehousing and business intelligence team at Verizon.

Education

Chintan has MS in Computer and Information Systems from Southern Illinois University and Business Data Mining certificate from Oklahoma State University.

Bik Singh is the Vice President of Software Development at HYLA. He and his team lead architecture, development and delivery of our Core and Technology products along with research and development on innovative solutions and technology evolution for HYLA’s business impacting our industry.

Experience

Bik has 18 years of experience delivering innovative solutions in the field of wireless communication, mobile devices and Cloud technologies for Wireless carriers, OEMs and Enterprises. Prior to joining HYLA, Bik spent 9 years at Smith Micro Software most recently as a Vice President, Technology. Prior to Smith Micro Software Bik held Engineering Management, Research and Development roles at Nomadix Inc. and HRL Laboratories LLC. Bik holds 4 Patents with multiple pending grants under review.

Education

Bik earned his Bachelor of Engineering – Computer Science and Engineering from PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh, India and MS – Computer Science with coursework completed at University of California, Riverside.

Shad Spears is Chief Financial Officer for HYLA. He and his team lead the treasury, accounting, financial planning & analysis, controllership, audit, tax, M&A and investor relations functions. Additionally, he oversees the legal and device operations teams and acts as HYLA’s Treasurer.

Experience

With 18 years in investment banking, private equity and corporate finance, Shad brings broad financial expertise and extensive corporate development experience to rapidly growing companies. Most recently, Shad was Vice President, Finance and Treasurer at HYLA. Prior to coming on board at HYLA, he led Corporate Development, Strategy and Finance for a private equity funded company to execute a roll-up strategy. Previously, Shad spent 7 years with a boutique investment bank focused on origination and execution of various transactions including M&A and private debt and equity issuance in the middle market, and in Private Equity. After beginning his career as a consultant working with Fortune 100 insurance companies, Shad co-founded and ran an e-learning start-up that provided online courses in sales training, license prep and CE for the insurance and financial services industry.

Education

Shad received a BS in Finance from the Farmer School of Business at Miami University (OH) and his MS, Entrepreneurship from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.

Scott Wagner is Chief Revenue Officer for HYLA and is responsible for leading the company’s top line revenue delivery and growth initiatives. Scott leads HYLA’s sales, account management, and corporate development teams globally. He and his team interface with a wide array of mobile industry players helping them drive incremental efficiencies and value from their reverse supply chain operations by leveraging HYLA’s technology, analytics, and logistics solutions.

Experience

Scott co-founded the company and has led business and corporate development since the firm’s inception. He and his team spearheaded the development of the first mobile device trade-in programs for 3 of the top 4 U.S. Wireless Carriers leading to the collection and reuse of over 40 million retired mobile devices to date.
Prior to joining HYLA, Scott spent 15 years in the telecommunications industry with Nortel and Sprint. His career with Sprint spanned more than 12 years. He joined Sprint PCS shortly after it was formed and helped develop and launch Sprint’s wireless business. While at Sprint, he held a number of roles in corporate finance, led the development of the business plan used in the Sprint PCS recapitalization and IPO, and played a key role in mergers and acquisitions. Following the Sprint Nextel merger, Scott was appointed CFO for the consumer division, a group that served over 22M customers and generated over $20B in revenue annually.

Education

Scott earned his BS in Finance from the University of Colorado and his MBA from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.

Ron is a pioneer and respected leader in the wireless industry. As the most seasoned director at OpenAir Equity Partners, he brings to the firm nearly 40 years of telecommunications senior operating experience. Prior to co-founding OpenAir, Ron spent many years in senior leadership roles with AT&T, Sprint and Southwestern Bell. Having worked in an environment known for innovation and emerging technologies, Ron is eminently qualified to recognize innovation and to guide fledgling companies in successfully applying technology in the marketplace.

Experience

Ron was employee number one and CEO of Sprint PCS, the breakthrough wireless division of Sprint. Under Ron’s leadership, the company generated $10B in annual revenues faster than any U.S. company has before or since. After leaving Sprint in 2003, he joined Ripplewood Holdings as an Industrial Partner and orchestrated the turnaround (as CEO) and subsequent sale of Japan Telecom, generating outstanding returns to Ripplewood investors. Ron is the current chairman of GoGo Inflight Internet, the leading broadband in-flight Internet service that effectively turns a commercial airplane into a Wifi hotspot with true in-flight Internet access. Ron is a highly sought after board member for both public and privately-held companies and currently sits on the boards of Allstate (ALL), Imation (IMN), GoGo In-flight Internet, HYLA and MachineryLink.

Education

Ron attended Southern Arkansas University where he earned a bachelor’s degree, and a J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Adam Grosser joined Silver Lake in 2011 and is the Group Head and Managing Director of Silver Lake Kraftwerk.

He has 33 years of experience as an investor and operator in a broad array of technology companies. Prior to Silver Lake, Mr. Grosser was a General Partner at Foundation Capital where he helped to establish the firms technology investment practice. He has served as a Director of Calix Networks Inc. (CALX) since May 2009, including through its public offering in 2010. He also currently serves on the boards of Friedola Tech and Carbon3D. Mr. Grosser also previously served on the boards of Arroyo (CSCO), EnerNoc (ENOC), Conviva, Control4 (CTRL), GridIron (VMEM), Peribit (JNPR) Sentient Energy, SiBeam (SIMG), Silver Spring Networks (SSNI), Transmedics, and the board of the National Venture Capital Association. He has been a lecturer at the UCLA School of Film and Television, a contributor to National Public Radio’s Marketplace, and for the past three years a lecturer at Stanford University.

Mr. Grosser holds B.A., M.S., and M.B.A. degrees from Stanford University.

David Griest is a Managing Director in SJF Ventures’ Durham, NC office. He joined SJF in 2004. David serves on the board of SJF portfolio companies including BioSurplus (used laboratory equipment), Optoro (asset recovery solutions), HYLA, Rustic Crust (all-natural and organic pizza products) and Telkore (wireless infrastructure services). David also serves as a board observer for Aseptia (sustainable food processing technology).

Experience

He previously served on the board of Salvage Direct (online salvage vehicle auction) until its successful exit. David was previously with Croft & Bender, an investment bank in Atlanta that provides venture capital, M&A and other financial advisory services for middle market and emerging growth companies in the Southeast. He also helped manage C&B Capital, a private equity fund that selectively invests in privately-held, small- and mid-sized, high-potential growth companies. C&B Capital’s investments include venture capital for emerging growth companies, growth capital for more established companies, and leveraged acquisitions and recapitalizations for growth-oriented companies with strong cash flows.

Education

David has a Master of Business Administration from the Yale School of Management and a BBA in Finance from the University of Georgia.

Rosemary L. Ripley is a Managing Director of NGEN. Rosemary works at the intersection of healthy living and sustainability, investing in innovative, growth companies with improved solutions for consumers and enterprises. She currently sits on the boards of Bare Snacks, Two Moms in the Raw, Zevia, Hyla, and Nlyte Software and is an observer on the board of Enzymedica. Rosemary also led an investment in Revolution Foods.

Experience

Rosemary has worked with companies in consumer packaged goods, branding and technology as well as in strategic planning, acquisitions and public and private market transactions. Responsible for Corporate Business Development worldwide at Altria Group from 1990-2005, Rosemary helped spearhead and execute numerous expansionary growth plans for Kraft Foods. She led teams that invested heavily in Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia and transformed Kraft Foods with the $19 billion acquisition of Nabisco and subsequent $8.5 billion initial public offering. Rosemary also initiated and helped develop the strategy and led the transformation of Miller Brewing Company from a domestic business to part of an international enterprise with the merger with South African Breweries. She co-founded Circle Financial Group, a multi-family office oriented towards the financial needs of women

Education

Rosemary received both her BA and MBA at Yale University.

Lance is the founder and managing partner of October Capital, a privately funded venture firm that invests primarily in innovative, technology-enabled businesses. He has held numerous active board seats and currently maintains three including HYLA, MachineryLink, and GreenLight Connectivity Solutions. Known for his hands-on leadership style, Lance has mentored numerous successful entrepreneurs and management teams.

Experience

In his role as an investor and board member, Lance has assisted management teams in developing and fleshing out ideas and innovative solutions across a range of industries including: web-enabled enterprise services, mobile commerce, agricultural equipment services, digital media and advertising, publishing, logistics, wireless services, and financial services.

Education

Lance holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Kansas.

Michael Linse is a partner with Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers. He focuses on investments with the Green Growth Fund.

Experience

Before joining KPCB in 2009, Michael managed the alternative energy investing team within the European Special Situations Group (ESSG) at Goldman Sachs in London. Michael was responsible for a number of ESSG investments, including the German wind turbine manufacturer Nordex. Michael joined Goldman Sachs in 1997 as an analyst in the Financial Institutions Group, working out of the company’s Frankfurt and Hong Kong offices. In 2002, he joined the Structured and Principal Finance Group in London, where he focused on distressed portfolio transactions. Michael joined ESSG in 2003, initially working on German restructuring situations, then beginning in 2005, on investments in the alternative energy space. He was named managing director in 2007.

Education

Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

L. White Matthews, III, is the former Chief Financial Officer of two large public corporations. For two years (’99 – ’01), he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Ecolab Inc. Prior to joining Ecolab, he was the Executive Vice President-Finance of Union Pacific Corporation and member of Union Pacific Board of Directors. Matthews was the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer for nine years.

Experience

He was Vice President of the Chemical Bank of New York specializing in both petroleum and mineral financing and later strategic planning.

Matthews joined Missouri Pacific Corporation as Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer, and shortly thereafter assumed the additional position of Vice President-Finance of Missouri Pacific Railroad, the largest subsidiary of Missouri Pacific Corporation. Missouri Pacific merged with Union Pacific, and he became Vice President and Treasurer of Union Pacific Corporation.

Education

Matthews graduated from Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, with a B.S. degree in Economics. After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, Matthews attended the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business where he was awarded an M.B.A. degree.

Silver Lake is the global leader in technology investing, with over $20 billion in combined assets under management and committed capital, and a team of approximately 110 investment and value creation professionals located around the world. Silver Lake Kraftwerk focuses on providing growth capital to technology innovators with established business models in the energy and resource sectors. Silver Lake Kraftwerk targets companies globally that leverage technology and business model innovation to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste and emissions, harness renewable energy, and more efficiently use natural resources, among other applications.

Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) partners with the brightest entrepreneurs to turn disruptive ideas into world-changing businesses. The firm has helped build pioneering companies like Amazon, Electronic Arts, Genentech, Google, Nest, Netscape, and Twitter. KPCB offers entrepreneurs years of operating experience, puts them at the center of a vast and influential network, and accelerates their success through expertise and support in recruiting, product design and delivery, business development, strategic partnerships and brand building. KPCB invests in all stages from seed and incubation to growth companies and operates from offices in Menlo Park, San Francisco, Shanghai and Beijing.

OpenAir Equity Partners is a venture capital and private equity firm solely focused on the wireless, communications and mobile Internet sectors. The management team is comprised of wireless pioneers and experts who couple their industry expertise with savvy and sound investment acumen. At OpenAir, the investment goes far beyond capital with a hands-on and collaborative approach for the entrepreneurs and company leaders with whom the team works. OpenAir invests in or helps build only those companies that demonstrate the promise of making a substantial impact in their respective industries.

SJF Ventures is a venture capital partnership with offices in Durham, New York and San Francisco. Through its investment funds, the firm provides equity financings from $1MM to $10MM, solo or in syndicates, to companies seeking growth capital. As a venture fund, SJF Ventures focuses on the resource efficiency, sustainability and technology-enhanced services sectors.

SJF Ventures’ partners assist portfolio companies in developing and executing strategic growth, building the board and executive management team, exploring capitalization structures, pursuing growth mergers and acquisitions, and enhancing market presence.

NGEN Partners is an active venture investor committed to backing world class entrepreneurs seeking to change industries through innovation, creativity and the promotion of environmentally sustainable products and services.

Founded in 2001, NGEN Partners invests in companies that positively improve the environment and human wellness.  We seek entrepreneurs with unique business models and differentiated products and services, capable of rapid growth and sustained profitability.  We invest in and alongside these entrepreneurs, helping them grow and sustain category leaders.

RRE Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in New York City. Since our founding in 1994 we have sought out and partnered with extraordinary entrepreneurs who seek to disrupt and transform industries.

RRE is a long-term lead investor. We are active strategic, operational and financial partners with the companies we finance. We also bring to bear a highly distinctive network of relationships across multiple industries and countries, proactively assist in recruiting top-tier talent, and provide innovative PR and marketing support. We define the scope of our investment horizon as products or services enabled by information technology. This has historically included virtually all expressions of software and internet technology as well as hardware and technology-enabled services.

TAP Advisors is a client-focused, independent financial services advisory firm providing strategic advice and unbiased, impartial solutions to clients across a broad range of industries globally. Founded in 2009, TAP Advisors offers a full range of merger and acquisition advisory services, private financing solutions, and cross-border and international expertise to public and private companies worldwide.

The Firm’s senior banking team has advised on some of the largest and most complex transactions over the last three decades across a variety of regions, products and industries, with announced M&A transactions exceeding $400 billion and over $85 billion in completed financings around the world.