November Venture Breakfast

November 13, 2009

WHAT: Taking your Company to the Next Level: Evolving Leadership

WHEN: Friday, November 13, 2009 7 - 9 am
Early-Bird Networking begins at 6:30 am

WHO: Entrepreneurs of all levels – seasoned, new and potential!

WHERE: Bellevue Harbor Club, Bellevue, Washington (parking info below)

WHY: For every Jeff Bezos and Amazon there are dozens of founder CEOs who step down before the company steps it up. Whether the founder chooses another path or others drive the change, the transition is tricky. How can a founder or investor know when the time is right? How should founders approach this issue with investors and employees? How can the company keep its energy and direction to not only maintain position but to grow?

This month's breakfast features a panel moderated by Russ Aldrich. Russ has more than 35 years of experience, both as an executive in the software industry and as a managing director in venture capital firms, [more than once stepping in to succeed prior leadership]. His prior experience includes AdRelevance (acquired by Media Metrix), Virtual Relocation (acquired by TMP Worldwide) and ShareBuilder (acquired by ING). Russ has seen this situation from the inside and outside. With Russ and his panel we'll hear what does work – and what doesn't, in this transition process.

BIOS:
• Geir Hansen, moderator:
Geir Hansen is a senior relationship manager, based in Silicon Valley Bank’s Seattle office, responsible for leading a team dedicated to serving emerging technology clients. Hansen has been a commercial banker since 1993 and joined SVB Silicon Valley Bank in 1996. Prior to his banking career, he spent five years as a securities analyst with a Seattle-based investment firm. He currently serves on the board of the Northwest Entrepreneur Network and is a member of the Alliance of Angel’s Screening Committee. He also volunteers his time to several other organizations including the First Look Forum and the MIT Venture Lab. Geir earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash.
• Michael J. Smith President and Chief Executive Officer , Avelle (fka Bag Borrow and Steal) Michael has served as president or CEO at four consumer Internet sites, with a proven track record in online retail and direct marketing that spans 20 years. Previously he served as president and CEO of Classmates.com, a leader in online social networking and the fourth largest paid content site on the Internet. While president of Nordstrom.com, he orchestrated a turnaround that resulted in its first quarterly profit. In 1999 he founded LifeSketch.com, the first scrapbooking site. As president and CEO of Lands' End Inc., he launched LandsEnd.com and executed a company turnaround that led to record sales and profits. Michael holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
• Russ Aldrich, CEO, QL2:
Russ has more than 35 years of experience, both as an executive in the software industry and as a managing director in venture capital firms. Prior to joining QL2, Russ was engaged on a project with the Office of Technology Transfer at the University of Washington and Executive Director of Guide Ventures LLC, a Seattle-based venture capital firm. As a venture capitalist, Russ has helped multiple companies grow from ideas to multi-million dollar ventures. His portfolio includes successful Pacific Northwest companies such as AdRelevance (acquired by Media Metrix), Virtual Relocation (acquired by TMP Worldwide) and ShareBuilder (acquired by ING). Over the past three years as a CxO-level consultant, he has assisted early stage start-ups to achieve their goals. Aldrich has a keen understanding of database technology and connectivity and he was a co-founder of Simba Technologies, Microsoft's partner in the development of open database connectivity (ODBC). Earlier in his career he served in executive roles at a number of innovative companies including Silicon Graphics, Unisys, Altos Computer Systems, Apple Computer and Xerox.

PARKING: Please park at the Bellevue Corporate Plaza Garage for parking validation. This is the free-standing garage located at NE 6th St on 110th Ave. From NE 8th St turn south on 110th Ave NE. Garage entrance will be on your right hand side. Please note that parking is NOT validated in the Harbor Club building garage.

COST:
Regular Registration: $25 for members, $40 for non-members
After November 9: $30 for members, $45 for non-members
Walk-in/At Door: $35 for members, $50 for non-members
Members, bring a first time attendee guest at the member rate!

Join us on November 13 for what is sure to be an engaging breakfast. Register today to ensure a seat.