Stephen’s professional career spans 30 years in the investment banking, internet, software, and mobile industries.  Altogether, he has played a key role in numerous M&A, business development, corporate development, strategic partnerships and negotiations.  He has been founder or co-founder of a number of technology and banking start-ups, and as an engineer created many successful software products.

In February 2005, Stephen co-founded Reverbix, Inc., where he served as President, CEO, and Chairman.  Reverbix is an ASP of B2B mobile communications and content delivery services for media, entertainment, and content companies.  Reverbix’s primary markets are consumer-facing media and entertainment companies, and mobile content and distribution companies.  He closed deals with numerous customers, including USA Today, TruePosition, Geodesic, and others, representing 25M+ addressable subscribers in the US, Europe, and Asia.  He also raised three rounds of private financing and recruited world class board and advisory team.  Stephen sold the company in October 2007.

At Reverbix, Stephen conceived of and developed a rollup strategy centered around a $900M acquisition and privatization of a public company, involving divestiture of non-core assets and divisions, the subsequent acquisition of 4-6 additional companies, and finally an IPO of the combined company in 24 months with a forecast 50% IRR to investors.  He managed an SVB Alliant investment banking team and development of pitch materials, as well as subsequent meetings with global private equity funds.

In 2001, Stephen founded K1 Associates, Inc., an M&A advisory firm.  In 2003, he merged K1 to form Newforth Partners, LLC, a small-cap technology banking and mergers and acquisitions firm specializing in M&A, intellectual property transactions, private placement, and strategic advisory services.  He helped grow the firm to 15 professionals in San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Chicago.

Starbase Corporation (NASDASQ: SBAS, now Borland, NASDAQ: BORL) recruited Stephen in February 2000 as VP Business Development responsible for all M&A activities.  At Starbase, he reported to the board, CEO, and the EVP Administration on dozens of buy-side opportunities that he identified and vetted.  Stephen led the acquisitions totaling $75M, coordinating all aspects of the transactions.

In 1996, Stephen founded and served as Vice President of Business Development at TopMarket, Inc., a seed-stage start-up focused on loyalty and incentive marketing on the Internet.  From 1994 to 1996, Stephen was Vice President of Software Development at Convene International, Inc., a venture-backed start-up specializing in collaborative messaging solutions.  From 1992 to 1994, he advised several clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.  From 1991 to 1992, he served as division general manager for Liant Software Corporation, managing 45 people and an annual budget of $9M.  While at Liant, he negotiated the strategic acquisition of a new product line and completed a turnaround.

In 1984, Stephen co-founded The Iliad Group, Inc. where he was principal architect for a next-generation development environment for Windows, DOS, UNIX, and OS/2.  His product awarded best product three years in a row by multiple trade magazines.  Stephen sold the company in 1991.

Stephen graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in the Classics, and studied graduate-level finance at Harvard University.  He is married and has one daughter.  He enjoys traveling, food and wine, woodworking and cabinetmaking, and squash.

Stephen has held NASD Series 7, 63, and 24 licenses (expired).