Executive Management Team
Mark E. Atkins, Chairman, President & CEO
Mark E. Atkins has more than 25 years of management experience building both entrepreneurial and Fortune 1000 firms in the computer and financial industries. Before joining Invention Machine, Mark served as Chairman, President and CEO of Vality Technology Inc., which evolved from a startup in 1990 to its current position as a leader in the enterprise data quality market. Mark sold Vality Technology Inc. in April 2002 to Ascential Software Corporation for a cash transaction valued at 100 million dollars. Previously, Mark gained extensive business experience in both sales management and financial management positions. As Senior Vice President of Computer Solutions (the precursor to Powersoft), Mark was a key contributor to building the company from startup to a nationally-recognized enterprise; Powersoft was eventually acquired by Sybase in 1994. As National Sales Manager for the Data Networking division at Honeywell Information Systems, he was responsible for the global revenues of the division. Prior to this, he held executive management positions at Service Bureau Corporation (a former IBM subsidiary), Polaroid Corporation, and BayBank (acquired by BankBoston, now a part of Bank of America). Mark currently serves on several executive boards including the Board of Directors for the University of Massachusetts Foundation and is very involved in philanthropic circles. He has a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, an advanced banking degree from the American Institute of Banking, and an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from Babson College. Mark is an adjunct professor University of Massachusetts M.B.A. graduate program. www.inventionmachineceocorner.com
James W. Todhunter, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
James Todhunter is the Chief Technology Officer of Invention Machine Corporation where he is responsible for the company’s technology strategy and execution. A seasoned innovator and inventor, Jim works on the front line of innovation and has more than 30 years of experience in software technology and management. Prior to joining Invention Machine, Jim was Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Engineering at Vality Technology Inc. Before that, he held various management and technology positions including Ardent Software, NCR, and Midas Systems Corporation. His award-winning blog, Innovating to Win, offers insight and observations on building high-performance teams that can drive sustainable innovation across the organization. Jim holds an M.S. in Information and Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine.
Jeff Boehm, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer
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As Chief Marketing Officer, Jeff leads Invention Machine’s corporate marketing programs and overall market strategy. Jeff brings to Invention Machine more than 15 years of enterprise software marketing experience. Jeff joined Invention Machine from Endeca, a leader in the enterprise search market, where he held a variety of marketing and operational leadership positions, fueling explosive growth over his four and a half year tenure. Jeff was the Executive Director of Product Marketing at Ascential Software, playing a key role in the organic growth and strategic acquisitions that led Ascential to become a recognized leader in enterprise data integration, and ultimately a key acquisition in IBM’s information management strategy. Jeff has also held marketing and product management positions at Alphablox and Idiom Technologies, and was the original product manager at Business Objects. Jeff is a graduate of Tufts University with a BA in Computer Science and an MBA from Boston University.
Stephen Brown, Vice President, Product Marketing
Steve holds Invention Machine's position of Vice President of Product Marketing. Steve is responsible for product marketing activities including the positioning and future evolution of the company's market strategy. Prior to Invention Machine, he spent 10 years at Vality Technology, the industry's leading supplier of data quality software for the ERP, CRM, and business intelligence markets where he served as Vice President of Product Strategy until its acquisition by Ascential Software in April 2002. At Ascential, he served as Executive Director, leading Product Management and Marketing functions for Ascential's suite of data-integration products. Previously Steve had served 20 years in technology management and development capacities at Legent Corporation, Cullinet Software and Honeywell. He is a graduate of Harvard University.
Barry Daitch, Vice President, Best Practices and Client Services
As Vice President of Best Practices and Client Services, Barry manages the company’s global professional services organization to meet the market’s growing demand for Invention Machine’s innovation solutions. Barry is responsible for all Invention Machine’s implementation, training, and consulting services that include the Goldfire Success Program and other innovation best practice services. Barry brings to Invention Machine more than 20 years of services, operations, sales, and product development experience. Most recently, Barry served as AVP Business Operations & Content Solutions at Comverse Technology (Nasdaq: CMVT). Prior to Comverse Barry served as VP Professional Services at Excara, Managing Director/Partner at KPMG Consulting (now Bearingpoint: Nasdaq: BE), and held roles in sales and marketing at Concentra, Inc. (acquired by Oracle: Nasdaq: ORCL). Barry holds an MBA from Boston College and BS Mechanical Engineering from University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
Don Freitas, Vice President, Global Finance and Administration
Don Freitas is Invention Machine’s Vice President of Global Finance and Administration is chartered with overseeing all of Invention Machine’s global financial operations. Don has more than 12 years experience in various aspects of the corporate accounting environment including strategic planning, financial reporting, cash and budget management, consolidations and acquisitions, debt restructuring, taxation, and internal auditing. Prior to joining Invention Machine, Don served as the Director of Corporate Accounting for Vality Technology (now Ascential Software), the industry's leading supplier of data quality software for the ERP, CRM, and business intelligence markets. Don has also held senior accounting positions at Morris & Morris, Thevenin, O’Grady & Co., LLP, and Wearguard. Don is a graduate of University of Massachusetts with a BS in Accounting.
Jeff Jarvis, Vice President, Business Development
As Vice President of Business Development, Jeff is chartered with establishing Invention Machine's strategic relationships. Bringing more than 20 years of enterprise software and executive sales management experience, Jeff was previously with Kronos Inc., a leading provider of workforce management solutions. There he served as Area Director, managing sales and operations in the Northeast. Previously, Jeff served as Vice President of Sales at Responsys Inc., was Regional Vice President of Sales at Hyperion Solutions (now Oracle), in addition to sales roles with Dun & Bradstreet Software (now GEAC). Jeff earned a C.A.S in Software Engineering from Harvard University, a law degree from Western New England College, and a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Maine.
Stephen Carson, Vice President, Sales, North America
Steve has more than 25 years of senior management experience building a variety of technology and software businesses spanning both entrepreneurial and Fortune 500. As Vice President of Sales, North America, Steve is responsible for overseeing Invention Machine’s Sales operations in North America. Prior to Invention Machine, Steve served as President/CEO and Executive VP of Sales at Visibility Corporation, an international ERP software Company serving Engineering-intensive Manufacturers. While there, Steve advanced Visibility’s financial, product, sales and market position/s and helped increase ROI for existing and new clients. Prior to Visibility, Steve held Executive and Senior Sales Management positions at Infinium Software, PivotPoint, Oracle, Pansophic and Unisys/Burroughs. He holds a B.S. degree in B.A. from Bryant University and holds a CPIM certification with APICS (American Production and Inventory Control Society).
Steven Drew, Vice President, EMEA Business Development and Marketing
As Vice President, EMEA Business Development and Marketing, Steven is responsible for all of Invention Machine’s business activities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Nordics and the Netherlands. Steven brings more than 20 years of experience in the software industry, spanning sales, management and implementation – providing deep expertise in delivering high value solutions to a broad portfolio of global customers. Prior to joining Invention Machine in 2003, Steven held several sales management roles in the United Kingdom with Ascential Software (acquired by IBM), Vality Technology and Datanomic. In addition, Steven has held various roles at IBM, Data General and Peterborough Software. Steven holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honors, from Plymouth University.
Kiyoshi Shikakura, Vice President, Sales, Asia Pacific Rim
As Vice President of Sales, Asia Pacific Rim, Kiyoshi is responsible for overseeing Invention Machine’s operations in Japan in support of channel partners and customers in Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.. Kiyoshi brings to Invention Machine more than 18 years of software sales and management experience. Kiyoshi joins Invention Machine from Mathsoft Engineering and Education, Inc. (acquired by Parametric Technology Corporation in April 2006), where he served as Director of Asia Pacific Sales and Marketing, first established Mathsoft’s Japan office and led direct and channel sales for the company’s North Rim territories. Prior to MathSoft, Kiyoshi worked for Cybernet Systems Co, Ltd., a Japanese-based company specializing in sales and support of scientific and engineering software, for more than fifteen years. At Cybernet, Kiyoshi's responsibilities included sales, marketing and operations. Kiyoshi holds a degree in economics from Waseda University in Tokyo.
Alain Cluseau, Director, France Sales
As Director, France Sales, Alain is responsible for all business activities in France, Belgium and Switzerland. Prior to joining Invention Machine in 2003, Alain spent more than 12 years at SDRC, a leading PLM software vendor, which successfully merged with UGS and was later acquired by Siemens, Germany. Alain began his tenure with SDRC as pre-sales consultant and was soon promoted to sales management where he played a key role in the corporation’s enterprise account growth. Prior to SDRC, Alain worked for Ansys, Inc. as a sales engineer. Alain holds a Master’s degree from École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers.
Michael Gärtner, Director, Germany Sales
As Director, Germany Sales, Michael is responsible for all of Invention Machine’s business activities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He brings close to 16 years of experience in the software industry, along with an impressive understanding of customers across international manufacturing markets. Prior to joining Invention Machine in 2006, Michael spent more than 8 years at SDRC, a leading PLM software vendor, which successfully merged with UGS and was later acquired by Siemens, Germany. At SDRC, Michael held various sales management and business development roles, where he was instrumental in building strategic, enterprise accounts. Prior to SDRC, Michael held several senior sales engineer positions with companies in the software industry. Michael holds degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration.