My very long story.

While studying political science and philosophy at the University of Southern Maine, I authored a thesis exploring the societal impacts of networked technology. Later that year, I published The Virtual Journal, one of the world's first web magazines - and with it, sold the first web ads to Hayes and Mitsubishi. It was my first lesson that being early (or first) is rarely rewarded by the marketplace 🙃.

After that, I served as chief technology advisor to Maine Governor Angus King [now US Senator], helping Maine set an early example of responsive, secure online government.

I started BrainPaste, the company that invented dynamic customer acquisition. Industry guru Don Tapscott said BrainPaste posed “a new challenge to the old order” and USA Today said it “uncorks an idea that can never be put back in the bottle.” This once-radical e-commerce method now facilitates billions of dollars in online commerce each year - and serves as my second lesson on being early. BrainPaste was acquired by entertainment network R3Media, and I became their chief communications officer.

A year later, I teamed up with fellow communications pros and started fama PR, a Boston-based brand communications agency. Over the next few years, we built the agency into one of the leading independent PR firms in the US. I departed fama PR in 2006, embarked on a year-long globe-wandering sabbatical, then relocated to coastal Los Angeles.

I helped launch EdgeCast Networks, an early challenger in the CDN/intelligent cloud business, and served as its head of communications and marketing for the life of the company. By the time EdgeCast was acquired by Verizon for $400M, we were carrying about ten percent of the world's Internet traffic. Our 5,000 customers included many of the web's busiest sites: Twitter, Tumblr, Yahoo, Wordpress, Etsy, Pinterest, and Disney-ABC. Following the acquisition, I became chief evangelist and head of communications for Verizon's digital media unit, a position I held until I left the company.

Most recently I was founder and CEO of Acquicent, a FinTech company that built a SaaS marketplace for trading shares in collectibles such as classic cars and fine art. You may have seen the company in The Economist, Forbes, Bloomberg, or in one of its network TV appearances.

Beyond my career work, I was a founding team member of Pop!Tech, an annual conference exploring the intersection of technology and culture. I served on its board for a decade and chaired the conference for three years. Pop!Tech's intimate format brought together a spectacular mix of scientists, artists, technologists, and thinkers who shaped some of the most important conversations about our technological future.

I've been involved in several major political campaigns over the years. I worked on Angus King's successful bid to become the nation's only independent governor, focusing on policy messaging - particularly around how technology could modernize state government - and field organizing. Years later, I served on the Grassroots Finance Committee of Obama for America.

I've also been a frequent commentator on American culture, regularly pontificating in and contributing to media outlets including The Huffington Post, Money, the New York Times, Investor's Business Daily, the Wall Street Journal, and WIRED.

I am an occasional photographer. My photography has earned more than 100 print credits ranging from TIME and the Wall Street Journal to niche fashion magazines you've never heard of.

I live in the Venice district of Los Angeles. Come visit!