I'm the President and CEO of lynda.com. Lynda.com is a premier online learning company transforming how anyone can learn technology, creative and business skills for professional and personal growth.
I've actively been involved with the Internet since 1993 with successful companies including serving on the board of CNET network for 14 years until the company was sold to CBS in 2008.
My board of director experience includes five public companies and over ten private company boards. I'm serving on the public board of Cumulus Media which operates 570 radio stations in 120 markets.
I was Vice President of Business Development and Project Development at Vulcan, Inc., Paul Allen's company, until 2000. Over a period of eight years I was managing and advising numerous technology and media initiatives. I served as Project Director of the Experience Music Project during development until opening and as General Manager of Clear Blue Sky Films.
Music: Sax and Flute Performance Experience, Composition:
Music has been a passion of mine since childhood. I started playing professionally at 15 years old and performed constantly and taught privately for about 10 years. My primary instruments are saxophone and flute.
I still record and perform occasionally. In 2010 I opened the first TEDx American Riviera event with a solo saxophone performance.
In 2002, I was a member of the six-person house band with Phil Collins for a BBC live television concert at Buckingham Palace. The artists that that the house band backed in the concert included Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Tom Jones, and Annie Lennox.
I compose from time to time and some of my work can be heard and seen in the music and video sections of this website.
Producer of Feature Films:
From 1997-2002, I was a producer on a variety of acclaimed feature and documentary projects including Executive Producer for FAR FROM HEAVEN starring Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid. I also co-produced THE LUZHIN DEFENCE, starring Emily Watson and John Turturro. Filmography on IMDB.
Education / Personal:
Master of Administration degree in general management from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies from California State University, Sacramento.
Awarded distinguished alumnus of the year in 2006 by the Graduate School of Management at UC Davis.
I enjoy outdoor sports including running and cycling, proudly completing the 2003 Napa Marathon in three hours and 47 minutes and the 2006 MS 60 mile bike ride in just over three hours.