RockeTalk Leadership
Management
Jim Greiner
President and CEO
Jim leads RockeTalk's growth worldwide, guiding the development and implementation of the strategy and building the team.
Prior to RockeTalk, Jim was the senior vice president and general manager of MapQuest (an AOL/Time Warner subsidiary) where he led the company to record web and mobile usage, and steadily increasing revenues and profits. With MapQuest since 1999, Jim led MapQuest's marketing and brand strategy prior to becoming general manager in 2005. Prior to MapQuest, Jim led U S WEST's Internet Division's (now Qwest Communications) entry into the web and applications hosting business. Prior to his six years with U S WEST, Jim worked for several years in New York City for two business development consulting firms, managing Fortune 100 domestic and international corporate accounts in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
Jim holds an MBA degree from University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University.
Rajiv Kumar
Founder and CTO
Rajiv founded RockeTalk in 2005. Rajiv leads the development team and oversees the development of RockeTalk's core technology and infrastructure, while guiding the strategic vision of the company.
Prior to RockeTalk, Rajiv was the founder and CTO of Widcomm, a technology and market leader in Bluetooth solutions. Widcomm was acquired by Broadcom in 2004. The technology developed at Widcomm is now in cell phones, laptops, hands-free car kids and wireless headsets. Prior to Widcomm, Rajiv was a VP and CTO at Uniden’s San Diego research and development center, which he co-founded. At Uniden, Rajiv was responsible for the development of the advanced wireless data product line that included GPRS modems, CDPD and 2-way pagers. Rajiv was also an engineering leader at Hughes Network Systems. During his stay at Hughes Network Systems, Rajiv was one of the primary inventors of CDPD technology that was the first ever cellular wireless data deployed.
Rajiv holds several patents and has published textbooks in the wireless data area. Rajiv holds a BS and MS from Indian Institute of Technology.
Vik Natarajan
Vice President of Strategy
Vik works on key relationships with customers and partners as well as on strategic issues with the CEO and CTO.
Prior to RockeTalk, Vik was with Broadcom Corporation, a leading semiconductor and systems company, where he managed the software product line for the Cellular Business Unit. Vik also managed the ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) product line at Broadcom. Vik has also held various engineering and marketing positions at Rockwell/Conexant and MRV communications.
Vik has a Masters in Engineering from Purdue University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and Bachelors in Engineering from Mysore University, India.
Bhartesh Chhibbar
Co-Founder and Head of Engineering Operations, India
Bhartesh is responsible for driving all engineering activities related to development of Rocketalk products in the RockeTalk India engineering center. He has been instrumental in developing the Rocketalk technology from the concept stage to the current platform. Before joining Rocketalk, Bhartesh was a Technical Leader at Cisco Systems for six years where he worked on voice over IP technology for different platforms. Bhartesh also designed and developed several protocols for the Cisco Voice Gateway and Media Gateway, including MGCP/TGCP/RUDP. While at Cisco, Bhartesh was honored many times with the best performance award.
Prior to Cisco, Bhartesh worked for Fujitsu as software consultant on FSR switch, where he designed a threshold alert system for optical interface on FSR switch.
Bhartesh holds Masters Degree in Computer application from ICSEI, Indore, India.
Alan Beiagi
Vice President of Product
Alan leads RockeTalk’s product vision and management. His goal is to create and deliver the best consumer product experience, world-wide. Alan also leads the success (products, distribution, and revenue) of RockeTalk in the US market.
Prior to RockeTalk, Alan was the General Manager of the Mobile division at MapQuest Inc. He led that division with full P&L responsibility over all MapQuest mobile WAP, downloadable applications, and related mobile offerings. He has been involved in the global LBS industry since its inception. Prior to joining MapQuest, Alan operated the Professional Services team in North America for Webraska, a global innovator in LBS. And prior to Webraska, Alan was Director of the Advanced Technologies team at GeoDecisions, a firm specializing in transportation related geospatial technologies for the US Government and military. He is also a veteran of IBM, where he started his career.
Alan holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Penn State University.
Julia Querin
CFO
Julia brings over 20 years of finance and accounting experience and is responsible for managing RockeTalk’s financial and accounting activities.
Prior to joining RockeTalk, Julia was the Controller and Director of Finance and Accounting for Sequoia Communications, a fabless RF semiconductor company. Prior to Sequoia, Julia held various senior financial management positions at Texas Instruments, start-up Dot Wireless and Qualcomm. Before joining Qualcomm, Julia worked for Price Waterhouse-Coopers.
Ms. Querin received her B.S. in accounting from the University of California, Berkeley and has her CPA credentials.
Board of Directors
Ted Alexander
Managing Partner, Mission Ventures
Ted Alexander is a Managing Partner of Mission Ventures and has been with the firm since its founding. Prior to joining Mission Ventures, Ted worked closely with a successful Mission Ventures portfolio company investment, Sandpiper Networks. Previously, Ted was a Platoon Commander in the US Navy SEALs, and a Division Officer aboard a US Navy destroyer. Ted received an MBA from Duke University, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Ted's investment focus has been predominantly in the areas of communications and infrastructure, and is currently serving as a Board Director for MaxLinear, ID Analytics, Networks in Motion, Ortiva Wireless, RockeTalk, TelASIC Communications, Verimatrix and LeisureLink.
Mary Campbell
Managing Partner, EDF Ventures
Mary Campbell is a Managing Director and Founder of EDF Ventures. She has been an active investor both in healthcare and information technology companies for over 20 years. Currently, Mary sits on the boards several companies, including HandyLab, Lycera, QuadraSpec, RockeTalk, ValenTx, and Voex. Mary is also a board observer for Cerenis Therapeutics, The Echo Group, Greenplum. In 1997, Mary led the firm's most successful transaction, Pixelworks, a leader of system-on-a-chip integrated circuits for the advanced display market which went public in 2000 (NASDAQ: PXLW). She has been the lead investor for six of the firm's investments in healthcare companies and five of its investments in information technology companies. Mary received her MBA from the University of Michigan; her MA in Special Education from Fairfield University; and her BA in English from the University of Michigan.
Rajiv Kumar
Founder and CTO
Rajiv founded RockeTalk in 2005. Rajiv leads the development team and oversees the development of RockeTalk's core technology and infrastructure, while guiding the strategic vision of the company. Prior to RockeTalk, Rajiv was the founder and CTO of Widcomm, a technology and market leader in Bluetooth solutions. Widcomm was acquired by Broadcom in 2004. The technology developed at Widcomm is now in cell phones, laptops, hands-free car kids and wireless headsets. Prior to Widcomm, Rajiv was a VP and CTO at Uniden's San Diego research and development center, which he co-founded. At Uniden, Rajiv was responsible for the development of the advanced wireless data product line that included GPRS modems, CDPD and 2-way pagers. Rajiv was also an engineering leader at Hughes Network Systems. During his stay at Hughes Network Systems, Rajiv was one of the primary inventors of CDPD technology that was the first ever cellular wireless data deployed. Rajiv holds several patents and has published textbooks in the wireless data area. Rajiv holds a BS and MS from Indian Institute of Technology.
Jim Greiner
President and CEO
Jim leads RockeTalk's growth worldwide, guiding the development and implementation of the strategy and building the team. Prior to RockeTalk, Jim was the senior vice president and general manager of MapQuest (an AOL/Time Warner subsidiary) where he led the company to record web and mobile usage, and steadily increasing revenues and profits. With MapQuest since 1999, Jim led MapQuest's marketing and brand strategy prior to becoming general manager in 2005. Prior to MapQuest, Jim led U S WEST's Internet Division's (now Qwest Communications) entry into the web and applications hosting business. Prior to his six years with U S WEST, Jim worked for several years in New York City for two business development consulting firms, managing Fortune 100 domestic and international corporate accounts in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Jim holds an MBA degree from University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University.
Advisors
Eric Berman
Mr. Berman is president of Hypergrowth Strategies, Inc., a consulting firm which focuses on assisting senior management of businesses to help develop and grow their corporate initiatives. Additionally, Mr. Berman has been a large influence in the social/entertainment arena of San Diego with his involvement with The Convivium, Aubergine, Firehouse Eatery & Lounge, and SD Creative Media. Previously, Eric had successfully created a new division for Club Med, and prior to that, Mr. Berman was one of the co-founders for CollegeClub.com, Inc., the largest and most visited college site in on the Internet in the year 2000, where from September 1993 until June 2000, Mr. Berman had served in a variety of positions including Chief Operating Officer, VP Corporate Development, VP Business Development and Director of Sales. Mr. Berman received a B.A. from the University of California San Diego in 1993.
Eric Kolstad
Mr. Kolstad has been active in the technology and investment areas for 20 years. Most recently he was part of dMarc broadcasting which was sold to Google for $1.1B in 2006. Prior to dMarc, Mr. Kolstad was associated with numerous high tech companies such as AdForce Inc., 2CanMedia and Winfire. Mr. Kolstad was previously with Merrill Lynch's Private Client Group.
Vipanj Patel
Vipanj founded iSherpa Capital in February 2000. Prior to founding iSherpa, he practiced corporate finance and securities law at Morris, Manning & Martin, working with entrepreneurs to secure venture capital financing and taking technology companies public. Vipanj actively works with iSherpa's portfolio companies to provide operational and strategic guidance and represents iSherpa on the Board of Directors of TechnoCom, TensorComm, TransDimension and u-Nav Microelectronics. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Venture Capital Association and TiE - Rockies, as well as a former Board member of Nokia Innovent. Vipanj holds a BS in Biology from the University of Southern California, where he was a recipient of the Howard Hughes Fellowship, and a JD from Georgia State University.
Anthony Thornley
Anthony Thornley was most recently President and COO of Qualcomm Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Thornley served as Qualcomm's CFO since joining the Company in 1994. Mr. Thornley currently serves on the Board of Directors at Callaway Golf Incorporated, Cavium Networks Inc. and Airvana Inc. Previously, Thornley worked for Nortel, a telecommunications equipment manufacturer, for 16 years. He served in various financial and information systems management positions during his tenure, including vice president of public networks, vice president of finance NT World Trade, and corporate controller Northern Telecom Limited. Prior to Nortel, Thornley worked for Coopers and Lybrand. Thornley received his bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Manchester, England and qualified as a chartered accountant.
Jim Greiner
President and CEO
Jim leads RockeTalk's growth worldwide, guiding the development and implementation of the strategy and building the team.
Prior to RockeTalk, Jim was the senior vice president and general manager of MapQuest (an AOL/Time Warner subsidiary) where he led the company to record web and mobile usage, and steadily increasing revenues and profits. With MapQuest since 1999, Jim led MapQuest's marketing and brand strategy prior to becoming general manager in 2005. Prior to MapQuest, Jim led U S WEST's Internet Division's (now Qwest Communications) entry into the web and applications hosting business. Prior to his six years with U S WEST, Jim worked for several years in New York City for two business development consulting firms, managing Fortune 100 domestic and international corporate accounts in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
Jim holds an MBA degree from University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University.
Rajiv Kumar
Founder and CTO
Rajiv founded RockeTalk in 2005. Rajiv leads the development team and oversees the development of RockeTalk's core technology and infrastructure, while guiding the strategic vision of the company.
Prior to RockeTalk, Rajiv was the founder and CTO of Widcomm, a technology and market leader in Bluetooth solutions. Widcomm was acquired by Broadcom in 2004. The technology developed at Widcomm is now in cell phones, laptops, hands-free car kids and wireless headsets. Prior to Widcomm, Rajiv was a VP and CTO at Uniden’s San Diego research and development center, which he co-founded. At Uniden, Rajiv was responsible for the development of the advanced wireless data product line that included GPRS modems, CDPD and 2-way pagers. Rajiv was also an engineering leader at Hughes Network Systems. During his stay at Hughes Network Systems, Rajiv was one of the primary inventors of CDPD technology that was the first ever cellular wireless data deployed.
Rajiv holds several patents and has published textbooks in the wireless data area. Rajiv holds a BS and MS from Indian Institute of Technology.
Vik Natarajan
Vice President of Strategy
Vik works on key relationships with customers and partners as well as on strategic issues with the CEO and CTO.
Prior to RockeTalk, Vik was with Broadcom Corporation, a leading semiconductor and systems company, where he managed the software product line for the Cellular Business Unit. Vik also managed the ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) product line at Broadcom. Vik has also held various engineering and marketing positions at Rockwell/Conexant and MRV communications.
Vik has a Masters in Engineering from Purdue University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and Bachelors in Engineering from Mysore University, India.
Bhartesh Chhibbar
Co-Founder and Head of Engineering Operations, India
Bhartesh is responsible for driving all engineering activities related to development of Rocketalk products in the RockeTalk India engineering center. He has been instrumental in developing the Rocketalk technology from the concept stage to the current platform. Before joining Rocketalk, Bhartesh was a Technical Leader at Cisco Systems for six years where he worked on voice over IP technology for different platforms. Bhartesh also designed and developed several protocols for the Cisco Voice Gateway and Media Gateway, including MGCP/TGCP/RUDP. While at Cisco, Bhartesh was honored many times with the best performance award.
Prior to Cisco, Bhartesh worked for Fujitsu as software consultant on FSR switch, where he designed a threshold alert system for optical interface on FSR switch.
Bhartesh holds Masters Degree in Computer application from ICSEI, Indore, India.
Alan Beiagi
Vice President of Product
Alan leads RockeTalk’s product vision and management. His goal is to create and deliver the best consumer product experience, world-wide. Alan also leads the success (products, distribution, and revenue) of RockeTalk in the US market.
Prior to RockeTalk, Alan was the General Manager of the Mobile division at MapQuest Inc. He led that division with full P&L responsibility over all MapQuest mobile WAP, downloadable applications, and related mobile offerings. He has been involved in the global LBS industry since its inception. Prior to joining MapQuest, Alan operated the Professional Services team in North America for Webraska, a global innovator in LBS. And prior to Webraska, Alan was Director of the Advanced Technologies team at GeoDecisions, a firm specializing in transportation related geospatial technologies for the US Government and military. He is also a veteran of IBM, where he started his career.
Alan holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Penn State University.
Julia Querin
CFO
Julia brings over 20 years of finance and accounting experience and is responsible for managing RockeTalk’s financial and accounting activities.
Prior to joining RockeTalk, Julia was the Controller and Director of Finance and Accounting for Sequoia Communications, a fabless RF semiconductor company. Prior to Sequoia, Julia held various senior financial management positions at Texas Instruments, start-up Dot Wireless and Qualcomm. Before joining Qualcomm, Julia worked for Price Waterhouse-Coopers.
Ms. Querin received her B.S. in accounting from the University of California, Berkeley and has her CPA credentials.
Board of Directors
Ted Alexander
Managing Partner, Mission Ventures
Ted Alexander is a Managing Partner of Mission Ventures and has been with the firm since its founding. Prior to joining Mission Ventures, Ted worked closely with a successful Mission Ventures portfolio company investment, Sandpiper Networks. Previously, Ted was a Platoon Commander in the US Navy SEALs, and a Division Officer aboard a US Navy destroyer. Ted received an MBA from Duke University, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Ted's investment focus has been predominantly in the areas of communications and infrastructure, and is currently serving as a Board Director for MaxLinear, ID Analytics, Networks in Motion, Ortiva Wireless, RockeTalk, TelASIC Communications, Verimatrix and LeisureLink.
Mary Campbell
Managing Partner, EDF Ventures
Mary Campbell is a Managing Director and Founder of EDF Ventures. She has been an active investor both in healthcare and information technology companies for over 20 years. Currently, Mary sits on the boards several companies, including HandyLab, Lycera, QuadraSpec, RockeTalk, ValenTx, and Voex. Mary is also a board observer for Cerenis Therapeutics, The Echo Group, Greenplum. In 1997, Mary led the firm's most successful transaction, Pixelworks, a leader of system-on-a-chip integrated circuits for the advanced display market which went public in 2000 (NASDAQ: PXLW). She has been the lead investor for six of the firm's investments in healthcare companies and five of its investments in information technology companies. Mary received her MBA from the University of Michigan; her MA in Special Education from Fairfield University; and her BA in English from the University of Michigan.
Rajiv Kumar
Founder and CTO
Rajiv founded RockeTalk in 2005. Rajiv leads the development team and oversees the development of RockeTalk's core technology and infrastructure, while guiding the strategic vision of the company. Prior to RockeTalk, Rajiv was the founder and CTO of Widcomm, a technology and market leader in Bluetooth solutions. Widcomm was acquired by Broadcom in 2004. The technology developed at Widcomm is now in cell phones, laptops, hands-free car kids and wireless headsets. Prior to Widcomm, Rajiv was a VP and CTO at Uniden's San Diego research and development center, which he co-founded. At Uniden, Rajiv was responsible for the development of the advanced wireless data product line that included GPRS modems, CDPD and 2-way pagers. Rajiv was also an engineering leader at Hughes Network Systems. During his stay at Hughes Network Systems, Rajiv was one of the primary inventors of CDPD technology that was the first ever cellular wireless data deployed. Rajiv holds several patents and has published textbooks in the wireless data area. Rajiv holds a BS and MS from Indian Institute of Technology.
Jim Greiner
President and CEO
Jim leads RockeTalk's growth worldwide, guiding the development and implementation of the strategy and building the team. Prior to RockeTalk, Jim was the senior vice president and general manager of MapQuest (an AOL/Time Warner subsidiary) where he led the company to record web and mobile usage, and steadily increasing revenues and profits. With MapQuest since 1999, Jim led MapQuest's marketing and brand strategy prior to becoming general manager in 2005. Prior to MapQuest, Jim led U S WEST's Internet Division's (now Qwest Communications) entry into the web and applications hosting business. Prior to his six years with U S WEST, Jim worked for several years in New York City for two business development consulting firms, managing Fortune 100 domestic and international corporate accounts in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Jim holds an MBA degree from University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University.
Advisors
Eric Berman
Mr. Berman is president of Hypergrowth Strategies, Inc., a consulting firm which focuses on assisting senior management of businesses to help develop and grow their corporate initiatives. Additionally, Mr. Berman has been a large influence in the social/entertainment arena of San Diego with his involvement with The Convivium, Aubergine, Firehouse Eatery & Lounge, and SD Creative Media. Previously, Eric had successfully created a new division for Club Med, and prior to that, Mr. Berman was one of the co-founders for CollegeClub.com, Inc., the largest and most visited college site in on the Internet in the year 2000, where from September 1993 until June 2000, Mr. Berman had served in a variety of positions including Chief Operating Officer, VP Corporate Development, VP Business Development and Director of Sales. Mr. Berman received a B.A. from the University of California San Diego in 1993.
Eric Kolstad
Mr. Kolstad has been active in the technology and investment areas for 20 years. Most recently he was part of dMarc broadcasting which was sold to Google for $1.1B in 2006. Prior to dMarc, Mr. Kolstad was associated with numerous high tech companies such as AdForce Inc., 2CanMedia and Winfire. Mr. Kolstad was previously with Merrill Lynch's Private Client Group.
Vipanj Patel
Vipanj founded iSherpa Capital in February 2000. Prior to founding iSherpa, he practiced corporate finance and securities law at Morris, Manning & Martin, working with entrepreneurs to secure venture capital financing and taking technology companies public. Vipanj actively works with iSherpa's portfolio companies to provide operational and strategic guidance and represents iSherpa on the Board of Directors of TechnoCom, TensorComm, TransDimension and u-Nav Microelectronics. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Venture Capital Association and TiE - Rockies, as well as a former Board member of Nokia Innovent. Vipanj holds a BS in Biology from the University of Southern California, where he was a recipient of the Howard Hughes Fellowship, and a JD from Georgia State University.
Anthony Thornley
Anthony Thornley was most recently President and COO of Qualcomm Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Thornley served as Qualcomm's CFO since joining the Company in 1994. Mr. Thornley currently serves on the Board of Directors at Callaway Golf Incorporated, Cavium Networks Inc. and Airvana Inc. Previously, Thornley worked for Nortel, a telecommunications equipment manufacturer, for 16 years. He served in various financial and information systems management positions during his tenure, including vice president of public networks, vice president of finance NT World Trade, and corporate controller Northern Telecom Limited. Prior to Nortel, Thornley worked for Coopers and Lybrand. Thornley received his bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Manchester, England and qualified as a chartered accountant.
