Alumni
James Shira
James Shira joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in May of 2015 in the newly established role of Network Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The Network CISO has been charged with leading a broad information security transformation program across the PwC Network of Firms. James brings his expertise in program effectiveness and organizational transformation to PwC.
Prior to PwC, James was at Zurich Insurance Group where he started in early 2009 as the role of Head of Group IT Risk Americas. In the autumn of 2010 he was promoted to the newly created role of Group Chief Information Security Officer. During his tenure at Zurich, James transformed Zurich's information security posture, developing new and innovative solutions and capabilities, leading the Data Security Improvement initiative on behalf of the Group Executive Committee, and working to enable Zurich employees to work in new and modern ways while remaining secure. Prior to Zurich, James was the Chief Security Officer for American General Financial Services (AGFS), a subsidiary of AIG. At AGFS, James built the first security function at the company and helped shape and guide overall security strategy at AIG. Prior to working at AIG, James was the America’s CISO for Bank Julius Baer. While at Julius Baer, James established the CISO role in the Americas and worked closely with Global CISO in establishing the strategy for the information security program across the company.
James is known across the Information Security industry as change and action oriented executive who thrives on tackling large scale challenges. Furthermore he is also known for his approaches to people management, emerging technology and tight integration with business strategy. In 2014, James’ transformation of Zurich’s information security program won the ‘RSA Excellence in the field of Information Security’ award. This award is given to the top executive in the information security industry determined by a judging committee of industry peers.
James Shira joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in May of 2015 in the newly established role of Network Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The Network CISO has been charged with leading a broad information security transformation program across the PwC Network of Firms. James brings his expertise in program effectiveness and organizational transformation to PwC.
Prior to PwC, James was at Zurich Insurance Group where he started in early 2009 as the role of Head of Group IT Risk Americas. In the autumn of 2010 he was promoted to the newly created role of Group Chief Information Security Officer. During his tenure at Zurich, James transformed Zurich's information security posture, developing new and innovative solutions and capabilities, leading the Data Security Improvement initiative on behalf of the Group Executive Committee, and working to enable Zurich employees to work in new and modern ways while remaining secure. Prior to Zurich, James was the Chief Security Officer for American General Financial Services (AGFS), a subsidiary of AIG. At AGFS, James built the first security function at the company and helped shape and guide overall security strategy at AIG. Prior to working at AIG, James was the America’s CISO for Bank Julius Baer. While at Julius Baer, James established the CISO role in the Americas and worked closely with Global CISO in establishing the strategy for the information security program across the company.
James is known across the Information Security industry as change and action oriented executive who thrives on tackling large scale challenges. Furthermore he is also known for his approaches to people management, emerging technology and tight integration with business strategy. In 2014, James’ transformation of Zurich’s information security program won the ‘RSA Excellence in the field of Information Security’ award. This award is given to the top executive in the information security industry determined by a judging committee of industry peers.
John Alessio
John is a Partner and serves on the Management Committee at Procopio, the largest full service business and litigation law firm in San Diego with additional offices in Silicon Valley, Phoenix and Austin. John’s practice focuses on complex class action, business and employment litigation with particular experience in trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, real estate, shareholder and contractual disputes to include cross-border issues. He has achieved great results for clients of all sizes in civil trials, arbitrations and mediations.
John earned his BS in Business Administration and his JD from the University of San Diego. John belongs to numerous professional and community organizations to include the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and Red Autismo Foundation of which he is the Founding Director.
John resides in Carmel Valley with his wife, Sofia and their two daughters, Paulina and Andrea.
John is a Partner and serves on the Management Committee at Procopio, the largest full service business and litigation law firm in San Diego with additional offices in Silicon Valley, Phoenix and Austin. John’s practice focuses on complex class action, business and employment litigation with particular experience in trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, real estate, shareholder and contractual disputes to include cross-border issues. He has achieved great results for clients of all sizes in civil trials, arbitrations and mediations.
John earned his BS in Business Administration and his JD from the University of San Diego. John belongs to numerous professional and community organizations to include the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and Red Autismo Foundation of which he is the Founding Director.
John resides in Carmel Valley with his wife, Sofia and their two daughters, Paulina and Andrea.
Bryce Aberg
With 15 years of professional experience in the sale and leasing of commercial properties, Bryce Aberg, Managing Director for Cushman & Wakefield, is an established leader in the San Diego brokerage community. Bryce has formed the largest industrial leasing and sales team in San Diego County. The Aberg Team is well established in the Central San Diego market and is known for its passion and best in class service to its clients.
Bryce began his career with Lee & Associates in Orange County before moving back home to join BRE Commercial. Over his career, Bryce has completed more than 15 million square feet of transactions totaling in excess of $1.5 billion. For the past 15 years, Bryce has been one of Cushman & Wakefield’s top producing industrial brokers in San Diego. Bryce holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and Marketing from the University of San Diego. His professional affiliations include SIOR, NAIOP, CCIM, University of San Diego Real Estate Alumni Association, and Leadership Development Group.
Bryce, his wife, and two kids reside in Carlsbad where he enjoys spending time with his family, surfing, and traveling.
With 15 years of professional experience in the sale and leasing of commercial properties, Bryce Aberg, Managing Director for Cushman & Wakefield, is an established leader in the San Diego brokerage community. Bryce has formed the largest industrial leasing and sales team in San Diego County. The Aberg Team is well established in the Central San Diego market and is known for its passion and best in class service to its clients.
Bryce began his career with Lee & Associates in Orange County before moving back home to join BRE Commercial. Over his career, Bryce has completed more than 15 million square feet of transactions totaling in excess of $1.5 billion. For the past 15 years, Bryce has been one of Cushman & Wakefield’s top producing industrial brokers in San Diego. Bryce holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and Marketing from the University of San Diego. His professional affiliations include SIOR, NAIOP, CCIM, University of San Diego Real Estate Alumni Association, and Leadership Development Group.
Bryce, his wife, and two kids reside in Carlsbad where he enjoys spending time with his family, surfing, and traveling.
Chad Ruyle
Chad R. Ruyle, born and raised in San Diego, is an attorney, entrepreneur and business owner. As the Principal attorney at Ruyle & Ruyle, Chad practices Trust, Estate, Asset Protection and Tax Law. Chad is the co-founder and owner of the national retail and wholesale lending company, Drop Mortgage, Inc. and FundLoans.com. He serves on various boards of start up companies in the tech and finance industries. Chad is also the owner of two downtown San Diego restaurants, Dobson’s Bar & Restaurant and Bottega Americano.
As a result of Chad’s various business endeavors, he has been invited to contribute his expertise and opinions on numerous occasions: as a visiting lecturer at Dartmouth College (Tucks Business School), Baylor University and the California Western School of Law; in interviews with numerous national and international news organizations including CBS, 60 Minutes, the Today Show on NBC, ABC, Nightline, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams; and as a reliable source quoted in the New York Times, Forbes Magazine, The Wall Street Journal.
With a strong desire to give back to the San Diego community, Ruyle co-founded PEERS to foster philanthropic engagement and encourage entrepreneurism. Chad also volunteers with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and as a professional mentor to law students.
Chad R. Ruyle, born and raised in San Diego, is an attorney, entrepreneur and business owner. As the Principal attorney at Ruyle & Ruyle, Chad practices Trust, Estate, Asset Protection and Tax Law. Chad is the co-founder and owner of the national retail and wholesale lending company, Drop Mortgage, Inc. and FundLoans.com. He serves on various boards of start up companies in the tech and finance industries. Chad is also the owner of two downtown San Diego restaurants, Dobson’s Bar & Restaurant and Bottega Americano.
As a result of Chad’s various business endeavors, he has been invited to contribute his expertise and opinions on numerous occasions: as a visiting lecturer at Dartmouth College (Tucks Business School), Baylor University and the California Western School of Law; in interviews with numerous national and international news organizations including CBS, 60 Minutes, the Today Show on NBC, ABC, Nightline, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams; and as a reliable source quoted in the New York Times, Forbes Magazine, The Wall Street Journal.
With a strong desire to give back to the San Diego community, Ruyle co-founded PEERS to foster philanthropic engagement and encourage entrepreneurism. Chad also volunteers with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and as a professional mentor to law students.
Jon Maddux
Jon Maddux is President and co-founder of Drop Mortgage, Inc. Drop Mortgage is a mortgage lender with the focus on residential jumbo niche loan programs.
Before the mortgage crisis, he was President of IMS Lending, a local mortgage company in Del Mar, CA. In December 2007, Jon Co-Founded and became CEO of YouWalkAway.com.
Since January 2008, YouWalkAway.com has helped over 8,000 customers navigate through the hardship of foreclosure and / or a short sale. You Walk Away has been featured in news publications and TV news programs such as: 60 Minutes, ABC Nightline, CNN, NBC’s The Today Show, Good Morning America, Yahoo Finance, Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fortune, Money Magazine, NPR, AP, NBC, CBS and Fox News among many others. Many of these publications have used quotes from Maddux about mortgages, short sales and foreclosure.
Specialties: Creative financing. Structuring real estate deals. Jumbo loans after foreclosure or short sale. Multifamily properties and commercial financing. Creative consulting on projects that involve economic foresight, marketing and out of the box thinking. Co-founded AfterForeclosure.com featured on CNBC.
Music: Signed to Warner Music Publishing from 2006-2008. Jon has worked with Major Label recording artists in the following genres: Country, Rock, Pop & Christian (including Smashmouth, Plain White T’s, John Michael Montgomery, Parmalee, Kutless). Jon wrote original songs and recorded all the music for an upcoming international children's TV show The FoFo Figgily Show. Jon played in Signed Christian for two records and two tours 1992-1994.
Jon Maddux is President and co-founder of Drop Mortgage, Inc. Drop Mortgage is a mortgage lender with the focus on residential jumbo niche loan programs.
Before the mortgage crisis, he was President of IMS Lending, a local mortgage company in Del Mar, CA. In December 2007, Jon Co-Founded and became CEO of YouWalkAway.com.
Since January 2008, YouWalkAway.com has helped over 8,000 customers navigate through the hardship of foreclosure and / or a short sale. You Walk Away has been featured in news publications and TV news programs such as: 60 Minutes, ABC Nightline, CNN, NBC’s The Today Show, Good Morning America, Yahoo Finance, Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fortune, Money Magazine, NPR, AP, NBC, CBS and Fox News among many others. Many of these publications have used quotes from Maddux about mortgages, short sales and foreclosure.
Specialties: Creative financing. Structuring real estate deals. Jumbo loans after foreclosure or short sale. Multifamily properties and commercial financing. Creative consulting on projects that involve economic foresight, marketing and out of the box thinking. Co-founded AfterForeclosure.com featured on CNBC.
Music: Signed to Warner Music Publishing from 2006-2008. Jon has worked with Major Label recording artists in the following genres: Country, Rock, Pop & Christian (including Smashmouth, Plain White T’s, John Michael Montgomery, Parmalee, Kutless). Jon wrote original songs and recorded all the music for an upcoming international children's TV show The FoFo Figgily Show. Jon played in Signed Christian for two records and two tours 1992-1994.
Hany Girgis
Hany Girgis is the President of SkillStorm. With over 15 years of experience in the IT Services industry, he brings unique industry knowledge and skills to assist SkillStorm in strategic planning for the company’s future success. He is based out of the San Diego, California office location.
In addition to being Founder and helping lead SkillStorm, Girgis was CEO of SGIS, a national government contracting firm. He was directly involved in the leadership and management of all divisions of the company and its strategic direction. SGIS and SkillStorm experienced astounding organic growth, combining for annualized revenues (run rate) of $127 million in June of 2010, just prior to the divestiture of SGIS. It was recorded amongst the largest government services transactions for the year. Girgis also held positions at all levels within the Government Contracting and IT Services industries, working with some of the nation’s top Fortune 500 companies in the Information Technology, Government, Insurance, Finance, Manufacturing and Telecommunications industries. He began his career as a Resource Manager at a national, publicly-traded technical services firm. Rising quickly through the ranks, Girgis went on to become Team Manager and soon thereafter was asked to open the first office on the West Coast in San Diego,California.
Girgis receives frequent recognition for his work through awards and media coverage. He was awarded the 2009 Entrepreneurial Success Award by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and was also selected as a semifinalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award for San Diego. This award recognizes Girgis as part of an elite group of outstanding entrepreneurial leaders that build world-class businesses and whose accomplishments help raise the bar of business excellence, change the face of industries, create jobs and contribute to the vibrancy of communities. The SBA also awarded Girgis San Diego’s Small Business Person of the Year in 2008 and 2007, which recognized Girgis as the most outstanding small business person among all candidates in San Diego and Imperial counties in California.
Recognizing his own blessings, Girgis believes strongly in giving back to the community and those less fortunate. On a continuous basis, Girgis provides time and financial contributions to the Partners Mentorship Program and the Renaissance Program at Wilson Middle School, rewarding children for their personal and academic accomplishments. He also makes financial contributions to many other organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, Children’s International, the University of Central Florida Alumni Association, the American Red Cross, Invisible Children, Eternity Minded Ministries, Kids in Distress, La Jolla Music Society, Hospice Care and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Girgis is heavily involved with the Small Business Administration (SBA), donating his time to take part in radio shows in the hopes of leading other business owners to similar successes. He also serves on the board of directors for the California Space Authority, a nonprofit corporation representing the commercial, civil and national defense/homeland security interests of California’s diverse space enterprise community. Girgis is actively involved in other professional organizations, including the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
Girgis attended the University of Central Florida and graduated with high honors in Electrical Engineering. He continues to support his alma mater through the Alumni Association.
Hany Girgis is the President of SkillStorm. With over 15 years of experience in the IT Services industry, he brings unique industry knowledge and skills to assist SkillStorm in strategic planning for the company’s future success. He is based out of the San Diego, California office location.
In addition to being Founder and helping lead SkillStorm, Girgis was CEO of SGIS, a national government contracting firm. He was directly involved in the leadership and management of all divisions of the company and its strategic direction. SGIS and SkillStorm experienced astounding organic growth, combining for annualized revenues (run rate) of $127 million in June of 2010, just prior to the divestiture of SGIS. It was recorded amongst the largest government services transactions for the year. Girgis also held positions at all levels within the Government Contracting and IT Services industries, working with some of the nation’s top Fortune 500 companies in the Information Technology, Government, Insurance, Finance, Manufacturing and Telecommunications industries. He began his career as a Resource Manager at a national, publicly-traded technical services firm. Rising quickly through the ranks, Girgis went on to become Team Manager and soon thereafter was asked to open the first office on the West Coast in San Diego,California.
Girgis receives frequent recognition for his work through awards and media coverage. He was awarded the 2009 Entrepreneurial Success Award by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and was also selected as a semifinalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award for San Diego. This award recognizes Girgis as part of an elite group of outstanding entrepreneurial leaders that build world-class businesses and whose accomplishments help raise the bar of business excellence, change the face of industries, create jobs and contribute to the vibrancy of communities. The SBA also awarded Girgis San Diego’s Small Business Person of the Year in 2008 and 2007, which recognized Girgis as the most outstanding small business person among all candidates in San Diego and Imperial counties in California.
Recognizing his own blessings, Girgis believes strongly in giving back to the community and those less fortunate. On a continuous basis, Girgis provides time and financial contributions to the Partners Mentorship Program and the Renaissance Program at Wilson Middle School, rewarding children for their personal and academic accomplishments. He also makes financial contributions to many other organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, Children’s International, the University of Central Florida Alumni Association, the American Red Cross, Invisible Children, Eternity Minded Ministries, Kids in Distress, La Jolla Music Society, Hospice Care and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Girgis is heavily involved with the Small Business Administration (SBA), donating his time to take part in radio shows in the hopes of leading other business owners to similar successes. He also serves on the board of directors for the California Space Authority, a nonprofit corporation representing the commercial, civil and national defense/homeland security interests of California’s diverse space enterprise community. Girgis is actively involved in other professional organizations, including the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
Girgis attended the University of Central Florida and graduated with high honors in Electrical Engineering. He continues to support his alma mater through the Alumni Association.
Martin J. Waters
Martin (Marty) Waters is a partner in the San Diego, California, office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
Marty represents numerous public and private growth companies, primarily in the life sciences and telecommunications industries, in a general counsel capacity. He also handles a wide variety of complex commercial transactions for clients, including public offerings of equity and debt securities; friendly and hostile mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; licensing transactions; venture capital financings; equipment leasing transactions; and the formation of partnerships, strategic alliances, and joint ventures.
Marty regularly counsels boards of directors, management, and investors on the governance and regulation of business entities and securities laws. In addition to life sciences and telecommunications, his industry experience encompasses a broad range of issues and industries, including Internet and e-commerce, financial services, new and traditional media, and real estate.
Marty was formerly associated with the law firms of Cahill Gordon & Reindel and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in New York. Marty currently serves as a member of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s Policy Committee.
Martin (Marty) Waters is a partner in the San Diego, California, office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
Marty represents numerous public and private growth companies, primarily in the life sciences and telecommunications industries, in a general counsel capacity. He also handles a wide variety of complex commercial transactions for clients, including public offerings of equity and debt securities; friendly and hostile mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; licensing transactions; venture capital financings; equipment leasing transactions; and the formation of partnerships, strategic alliances, and joint ventures.
Marty regularly counsels boards of directors, management, and investors on the governance and regulation of business entities and securities laws. In addition to life sciences and telecommunications, his industry experience encompasses a broad range of issues and industries, including Internet and e-commerce, financial services, new and traditional media, and real estate.
Marty was formerly associated with the law firms of Cahill Gordon & Reindel and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in New York. Marty currently serves as a member of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s Policy Committee.
Brent Rivard
Brent Rivard is a Partner and Managing Director of Pathfinder Partners, LLC, a real estate investment firm applying an opportunistic and value-add approach to real estate investments which it can transform through additional capital infusions, institutional level management and property re-positioning.
Brent is also a principal in several business to business service firms targeting mid-market companies including RelationEdge, Main Path Marketing and Signature Analytics. Brent was previously the President of a local wealth management firm, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer a commercial real estate brokerage firm and the Vice President, Finance and Operations at The MHA Group and Vice President, Accounting and Finance/Treasurer at NYSE-traded AMN Healthcare, where he was involved with the placement of more than $1 billion in debt and equity securities and led the company’s mergers and acquisitions practice.
Brent started his career at Deloitte & Touche after graduating cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles with a B.A. in Business Economics and is a CPA.
Brent was previously on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County and served as the Board Chair in 2012-2013.
Brent resides in Encinitas with his wife Laura and their three children and enjoys flying planes and spending time in the mountains skiing with his family.
Brent Rivard is a Partner and Managing Director of Pathfinder Partners, LLC, a real estate investment firm applying an opportunistic and value-add approach to real estate investments which it can transform through additional capital infusions, institutional level management and property re-positioning.
Brent is also a principal in several business to business service firms targeting mid-market companies including RelationEdge, Main Path Marketing and Signature Analytics. Brent was previously the President of a local wealth management firm, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer a commercial real estate brokerage firm and the Vice President, Finance and Operations at The MHA Group and Vice President, Accounting and Finance/Treasurer at NYSE-traded AMN Healthcare, where he was involved with the placement of more than $1 billion in debt and equity securities and led the company’s mergers and acquisitions practice.
Brent started his career at Deloitte & Touche after graduating cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles with a B.A. in Business Economics and is a CPA.
Brent was previously on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County and served as the Board Chair in 2012-2013.
Brent resides in Encinitas with his wife Laura and their three children and enjoys flying planes and spending time in the mountains skiing with his family.
Malcolm P. Davies
Malcolm, Principal at George Smith Partners, has spent the past 15 years as an award-winning capital advisor and developer, having advised and been a sponsor of nearly $1,000,000,000 worth of financings, both in the equity and debt markets. In 2009, Malcolm brought his extensive industry knowledge as a developer to the capital markets, serving as a structured CRE capital advisor – an aspect of the industry in which he had always excelled. Malcolm thrives in this position, facilitating developers and investment firms to structure and capitalize their ventures.
As one of the Principals of George Smith Partners, Malcolm is responsible for running the Structured Finance Group. This group specializes in structuring complex capital, involving everything from joint venture equity to sub-debt and senior debt instruments. Malcolm’s involvement in structuring the entire capital stack includes everything from mezzanine and preferred equity to senior debt instruments such as construction, bridge, and conduit financing. Because of Malcolm’s expertise as a developer, he also leads the firm’s involvement in financing projects that include various forms of development activity, be that new construction or value add redevelopment.
Malcolm is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Regional Development program.
Malcolm, Principal at George Smith Partners, has spent the past 15 years as an award-winning capital advisor and developer, having advised and been a sponsor of nearly $1,000,000,000 worth of financings, both in the equity and debt markets. In 2009, Malcolm brought his extensive industry knowledge as a developer to the capital markets, serving as a structured CRE capital advisor – an aspect of the industry in which he had always excelled. Malcolm thrives in this position, facilitating developers and investment firms to structure and capitalize their ventures.
As one of the Principals of George Smith Partners, Malcolm is responsible for running the Structured Finance Group. This group specializes in structuring complex capital, involving everything from joint venture equity to sub-debt and senior debt instruments. Malcolm’s involvement in structuring the entire capital stack includes everything from mezzanine and preferred equity to senior debt instruments such as construction, bridge, and conduit financing. Because of Malcolm’s expertise as a developer, he also leads the firm’s involvement in financing projects that include various forms of development activity, be that new construction or value add redevelopment.
Malcolm is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Regional Development program.
Bill Malloy
Bill Malloy is a founding General Partner at Sway Ventures, where he is focused on IT software investing, hands-on operational support, and building the strategic ecosystem between the US and EMEA. His responsibilities focused on strategy and go-to-market plans for new product development.
Bill Malloy is an innovative financier and technologist with a record of successfully investing in inefficient markets. He currently holds board positions in a number of Sway Ventures portfolio companies including Locoroll, EVRYTHNG, Tally, Penrose Studios, Le Tote, Zanbato, Mocana, HyTrust, LiveAction, and Addepar.
Bill Malloy gained his venture capital experience at DFJ – Zone Ventures by working with companies on elements of strategy, operational issues and financial structuring. Bill Malloy also devoted significant time to potential new investments between Silicon Valley and Southern California. His background in business development and product management includes five years of service to Listen.com (sold to Real Networks, a $1.3 billion company) and MusicMatch (sold to Yahoo, a $38 billion company).
Bill Malloy balances a number of philanthropic positions, currently serving as trustee of the Malloy Foundation as well as Co-Founder of the PEERS Network. He previously served as a board member and treasurer for the Equinox Center. He holds a MBA from the University of Southern California and an undergraduate degree in Engineering from Clemson University.
Bill Malloy is a founding General Partner at Sway Ventures, where he is focused on IT software investing, hands-on operational support, and building the strategic ecosystem between the US and EMEA. His responsibilities focused on strategy and go-to-market plans for new product development.
Bill Malloy is an innovative financier and technologist with a record of successfully investing in inefficient markets. He currently holds board positions in a number of Sway Ventures portfolio companies including Locoroll, EVRYTHNG, Tally, Penrose Studios, Le Tote, Zanbato, Mocana, HyTrust, LiveAction, and Addepar.
Bill Malloy gained his venture capital experience at DFJ – Zone Ventures by working with companies on elements of strategy, operational issues and financial structuring. Bill Malloy also devoted significant time to potential new investments between Silicon Valley and Southern California. His background in business development and product management includes five years of service to Listen.com (sold to Real Networks, a $1.3 billion company) and MusicMatch (sold to Yahoo, a $38 billion company).
Bill Malloy balances a number of philanthropic positions, currently serving as trustee of the Malloy Foundation as well as Co-Founder of the PEERS Network. He previously served as a board member and treasurer for the Equinox Center. He holds a MBA from the University of Southern California and an undergraduate degree in Engineering from Clemson University.
Brian Nugent
As a founding principal and General Partner in Accelerate-IT Ventures, Brian Nugent is focused on building high-growth technology companies by providing capital and strategic acceleration solutions from a multi-national platform.
Through his roles as an investor, entrepreneur, operator and strategic advisor in over 100 technology ventures, Brian has built domain expertise and deep connections across the IT industry on five continents. With experience in both venture capital and private equity (control), Brian has been backing capable leaders in the technology industry and demonstrating meaningful trajectory impact in the businesses he supports.
In addition to Accelerate-IT Ventures, he has been a partner at Torch Hill Investment Partners, a mid-market private equity firm that focuses on technology investments. As an entrepreneur and operating executive he ran both public and privately-held enterprise software companies (EdgeWave; Applied Identity). Previously Brian was a senior executive at Teros (acquired by Citrix), Atrica (acquired by Nokia-Siemens) and LuxN (acquired by Sorrento Networks).
He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of ThreatSTOP, Liquid Grids, CyberHive, MWM Group, and Accelerate-IT. Brian is a member of The Private Equity & Venture Capital Group, The Private Equity Investment Group, the San Diego Venture Group, and is a frequent lecturer at events such as The Security Investor Conference, The AGC Conference, and The CEO Total Access Series.
He is a Board Member of the PEERS Network – which supports many non-profit organizations nationally, and is a member of the 2013 and 2014 National Champion Sunset Water Polo Club.
As a founding principal and General Partner in Accelerate-IT Ventures, Brian Nugent is focused on building high-growth technology companies by providing capital and strategic acceleration solutions from a multi-national platform.
Through his roles as an investor, entrepreneur, operator and strategic advisor in over 100 technology ventures, Brian has built domain expertise and deep connections across the IT industry on five continents. With experience in both venture capital and private equity (control), Brian has been backing capable leaders in the technology industry and demonstrating meaningful trajectory impact in the businesses he supports.
In addition to Accelerate-IT Ventures, he has been a partner at Torch Hill Investment Partners, a mid-market private equity firm that focuses on technology investments. As an entrepreneur and operating executive he ran both public and privately-held enterprise software companies (EdgeWave; Applied Identity). Previously Brian was a senior executive at Teros (acquired by Citrix), Atrica (acquired by Nokia-Siemens) and LuxN (acquired by Sorrento Networks).
He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of ThreatSTOP, Liquid Grids, CyberHive, MWM Group, and Accelerate-IT. Brian is a member of The Private Equity & Venture Capital Group, The Private Equity Investment Group, the San Diego Venture Group, and is a frequent lecturer at events such as The Security Investor Conference, The AGC Conference, and The CEO Total Access Series.
He is a Board Member of the PEERS Network – which supports many non-profit organizations nationally, and is a member of the 2013 and 2014 National Champion Sunset Water Polo Club.
Mitch Thrower
Mitch Thrower is the Founder and Chairman of Events.com, the leading provider of cloud-based applications for event and participant management that includes Activity Registration, Ticketing, Affinity Management, Content Management, Business Analytics, and Customer Outreach.
The Events.com global event portal publishes millions of events from thousands of venues worldwide accessible through mobile and social channels. Events.com provides highly adaptable, accessible and reliable applications to manage, market and monetize an event or activity.
Thrower also serves as Chairman of The La Jolla Foundation, a 501c3 foundation whose primary initiative is Project Active, providing funding, mentoring, encouragement and education to areas of world tension. Specifically — sending sports equipment to children in war zones.
Thrower Co-Founded active.com (The Active Network, Inc.). He also launched ActiveEurope.com (Active Europe Network) as Co-Founder and CEO. Active went public before selling to Vista for 1.05 billion.
Thrower was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Triathlete Magazine, the world's largest triathlon magazine where he also served as Chairman. He has also served as the Chief Interactive Officer, Strategist & Senior Correspondent for the Competitor Group (CGI), the active lifestyle industry's leading media and event entertainment company.
Thrower is an active member of TED.com and the Executive Producer of TEDxLaJolla, an independently organized TED event. He is the Author of "The Attention Deficit Workplace: Winning Strategies for Success in Today's Fast-Paced Business Environment," published by Lyons Press and he was author of the popular monthly column, "Starting Lines" in Triathlete Magazine for more than a decade. He was also co-author of the travel guide "The Passport" which, for several years was distributed to 50,000 college students before traveling abroad each year.
In 1990, Thrower co-founded his first company and served as CEO of The College/Rail Connection, Inc., serving American Express, AT&T, and Eurail until he sold the venture in 1997.
Thrower holds a bachelor's degree from Saint Lawrence University and an MBA from the University of San Diego. He has competed in 22 Ironman Triathlons, including 13 World Championships. He is the only photo journalist to ever photograph and video the Ironman Triathlon World Championships while competing in the event.
He resides in La Jolla, California and NYC with his wife, Amanda.
Mitch Thrower is the Founder and Chairman of Events.com, the leading provider of cloud-based applications for event and participant management that includes Activity Registration, Ticketing, Affinity Management, Content Management, Business Analytics, and Customer Outreach.
The Events.com global event portal publishes millions of events from thousands of venues worldwide accessible through mobile and social channels. Events.com provides highly adaptable, accessible and reliable applications to manage, market and monetize an event or activity.
Thrower also serves as Chairman of The La Jolla Foundation, a 501c3 foundation whose primary initiative is Project Active, providing funding, mentoring, encouragement and education to areas of world tension. Specifically — sending sports equipment to children in war zones.
Thrower Co-Founded active.com (The Active Network, Inc.). He also launched ActiveEurope.com (Active Europe Network) as Co-Founder and CEO. Active went public before selling to Vista for 1.05 billion.
Thrower was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Triathlete Magazine, the world's largest triathlon magazine where he also served as Chairman. He has also served as the Chief Interactive Officer, Strategist & Senior Correspondent for the Competitor Group (CGI), the active lifestyle industry's leading media and event entertainment company.
Thrower is an active member of TED.com and the Executive Producer of TEDxLaJolla, an independently organized TED event. He is the Author of "The Attention Deficit Workplace: Winning Strategies for Success in Today's Fast-Paced Business Environment," published by Lyons Press and he was author of the popular monthly column, "Starting Lines" in Triathlete Magazine for more than a decade. He was also co-author of the travel guide "The Passport" which, for several years was distributed to 50,000 college students before traveling abroad each year.
In 1990, Thrower co-founded his first company and served as CEO of The College/Rail Connection, Inc., serving American Express, AT&T, and Eurail until he sold the venture in 1997.
Thrower holds a bachelor's degree from Saint Lawrence University and an MBA from the University of San Diego. He has competed in 22 Ironman Triathlons, including 13 World Championships. He is the only photo journalist to ever photograph and video the Ironman Triathlon World Championships while competing in the event.
He resides in La Jolla, California and NYC with his wife, Amanda.
Russell Dixon
Russell Dixon is Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer of REDHILL Realty Investment Management and Chairman of RH Capital Partners and its related companies.
Dixon has held key positions in national and global companies within the private equity and institutional real estate arena. Dixon started his impressive finance career as a Goldman Sachs-Whitehall analyst. Most recently he served as Head of Insignia/ESG Capital Markets, a New York based (NYSE) global private equity firm. Previously to Insignia, Dixon was the Global Co-Head of CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) Institutional Group, where he formulated and directed the platform executing approximately $20-30 billion annually in major property and portfolio transactions. He is one of the foremost leaders nationally in the multifamily business sector.
Mr. Dixon holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism/Business from Brigham Young University with graduate studies in finance at Stanford University. Dixon currently sits on varied boards including Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, and is a current Director of the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), Washington DC. Dixon has been an active participant in philanthropy and public service over his 25 years in professional life including participation in National Kidney Foundation, leadership in Boy Scouts of America, Director, Mitt Romney Finance Committee for President, Challenged Athletes Foundation, and varied Youth Coaching Associations. Russell is an avid skier, golfer and lover of art. He is married to the former Heidi S. Smith of Park City, Utah.
Russell Dixon is Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer of REDHILL Realty Investment Management and Chairman of RH Capital Partners and its related companies.
Dixon has held key positions in national and global companies within the private equity and institutional real estate arena. Dixon started his impressive finance career as a Goldman Sachs-Whitehall analyst. Most recently he served as Head of Insignia/ESG Capital Markets, a New York based (NYSE) global private equity firm. Previously to Insignia, Dixon was the Global Co-Head of CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) Institutional Group, where he formulated and directed the platform executing approximately $20-30 billion annually in major property and portfolio transactions. He is one of the foremost leaders nationally in the multifamily business sector.
Mr. Dixon holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism/Business from Brigham Young University with graduate studies in finance at Stanford University. Dixon currently sits on varied boards including Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, and is a current Director of the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), Washington DC. Dixon has been an active participant in philanthropy and public service over his 25 years in professional life including participation in National Kidney Foundation, leadership in Boy Scouts of America, Director, Mitt Romney Finance Committee for President, Challenged Athletes Foundation, and varied Youth Coaching Associations. Russell is an avid skier, golfer and lover of art. He is married to the former Heidi S. Smith of Park City, Utah.
Dr. Robert Gramins
Dr. Robert T. Gramins attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana to obtain his undergraduate degree in Biology in 1993. He then pursued his dental education at Northwestern University in Chicago, graduating in 1998 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
While in dental school, Dr. Gramins was awarded a United States Navy academic scholarship and was commissioned as an Officer in the Dental Corps. Following dental school, he completed a General Practice Residency at Great Lakes Naval Hospital and fulfilled his military service in Southern California at Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base. He then returned to Chicago to Loyola University Medical Center for his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency, which he completed in 2005. While in residency, Dr. Gramins received extensive training in facial trauma reconstruction, orthognathic jaw surgery, treatment of maxillofacial pathology, trigeminal nerve repair, temporomandibular joint reconstruction, advanced dental implant placement, and esthetic facial surgery.
Dr. Gramins is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and is Board Certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Gramins is one of a select group of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons who are licensed by the State of California to perform cosmetic facial procedures. He was also selected as one of two Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to sit on the Cosmetic Surgery Credentialing Board for the State of California and now serves as President of this Credentialing Board. His other affiliations include the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, International Team for Implantology, California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and the San Diego Dental Society. Additionally, Dr. Gramins is highly involved with many local charities including The Oral Cancer Foundation, Las Patronas, The Ronald McDonald House, and The March of Dimes. He is an avid golfer and enjoys surfing, fishing, and living in San Diego.