MANAGEMENT
Mike Warner
CEO & Founder
Michael Warner is CEO and founder of Quantum4D, a software platform that provides users with a portal to a dynamic, evolving 3D model of the economy and markets. The basic design of the system was inspired by work done for major banks and various technology startups. Prior to founding Quantum4D in 2001, Michael worked as an information architect and ontologist, designing internal software systems and web-based platforms that leverage the structure of information in analysis and presentation to the end user. Prior to this, he worked in financial services and security groups at Sun Microsystems. He began his career working on development projects for the World Bank/USAID and teaching business in developing countries for Georgetown University (CIED). Warner graduated magna cum laude from Kenyon College before pursuing a master's in philosophy focused on information and systems theory at the University of Washington. He is currently a board member of the San Francisco chapter of the National Association of Business Economists.
Piotr Kulczakowicz
Director of Special Projects
Piotr brings to Quantum4D over 15 years of experience in the management consulting environment. Prior to joining the Quantum4D team, he worked in various consulting, analytical, research, and managerial roles at McKinsey&Company. In his professional career with the firm, he managed a number of complex analytical and research projects. He was also creatively solving problems of efficient access to data, economic models and knowledge in general which resulted in vastly improved and streamlined knowledge development and management processes. Most recently, he was in charge of developing client services leveraging McKinseys body of knowledge and web-based delivery channels. Piotr earned a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics from Warsaw University of Technology and an MBA from a joint program between Warsaw University of Technology, London Business School, HEC and Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration.
Bruce Hrovat
Directors of Business Development
Kurt Swanson, PhD (Computer Science)
VP of Engineering
Dr. Kurt Swanson brings to Quantum4D more than 20 years of experience in the software development industry. He holds a doctoral degree in Computer Science from Lund University, Sweden. In his professional career, he has worked at a wide variety of companies, including several successful eFinance startups. Prior to joining Quantum4D, Dr. Swanson led the engineering department at ShareChive, LLC, providing software for state agencies and private companies involved in the civilian construction industry. Most recently with BitTorrent, Inc., he was responsible for managing the technical relationship with Hollywood film studios, incorporating their content into the BitTorrent network.
Jake Roberts
Senior Engineer
Roberts leads development of the user interface of Quantum4D. He has worked extensively on scientific information visualization systems since graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in computer engineering. He has over nine years experience in programming visualization methods. Prior to Quantum4D, Roberts worked at a number of start-ups and projects ranging from architecture/CAD to virtual world environments.
ADVISORS
Steve Race
Corporate Affairs
Mr. Race led the introduction of the most successful product in the history of the video game industry. He secured distribution at all major retailers, and the support of third party software developers. Steve started and managed the US business of this division that achieved $2 billion in sales, 13% of Sony's revenues and 60% of the operating profit.
Mr. Race turned around a failing public software company. The business was cash strapped and had revenues of $60 million but losses of $40 million. He recruited a new management team, rationalized product lines, and raised capital through a PIPE and a convertible debenture. Revenue grew to over $100 million and profits to $8 million in 3 years, and he sold the company to Hasbro.
Mr. Race introduced the first online derivatives and commodities exchange focused on retail markets. Recruited by the Board, this company was in disarray, out of cash and had few alternatives. He attracted new strategic investors, secured additional financing from existing investors, and raised $30 million in debt and equity. Steve redirected the corporation and its strategies, and developed a different business model.
Mr. Race co-founded a toy company that went from a startup to a public company with over $300 million in sales and $19 million in profits in its second year. He led the introduction of two of the fastest growing products in the history of the industry. Steve restructured multiple portfolio companies for private equity groups. He functioned in a crisis management operating position and Board of Directors role for multiple companies. His Assignments included turnarounds, liquidations and selling parts or all of the businesses.
Cyril G. Reif
Banking Advisor
Mr. Reif has held numerous executive management positions at IBM, Sun Microsystems, Hogan Systems and Customer Analytics, Inc. He also founded his own consulting company, Paradigm Partners, which specialized in strategy consulting for banking technology providers. He has over 30 years of in depth experience in the financial services industry and has managed all aspects of the product cycle, ranging from strategic planning, through product development, to product launch, customer engagement and implementation. He has worked with both banks and solution providers world-wide and provided them strategic guidance on architectures, solution decisions and implementation options. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Directors at the Cameron School of Business – University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX
BOARD
Michael Herning
Chairman, Praetorian Group, Inc.
Mr. Herning is the principle owner of several businesses across electrical supply, law enforcement, and sporting goods, totaling more than $120 million in sales. He brings more than 30 years of experience in investing, managing, and operating highly successful companies. Mr. Herning is a graduate of Stanford University.
Alexander Ford
Chief Executive Officer, Praetorian Group, Inc.
Mr. Ford is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Praetorian Group, including PoliceOne.com, Calibre Press, FireRescue1.com, CorrectionsOne.com, and EMS1.com. A co-founder of the company, he has held the position of CEO for the past seven years. He has directed the development of Praetorian's strategy from inception and is currently focusing on broadening the company's product and service offering. He has also led the development and introduction of a number of new technologies and launched multiple websites for the public safety market.
Mr. Ford's background spans technology, online media, and high-level business strategy. Prior to founding Praetorian, he was a consultant with Mercer Management Consulting and Corporate Decisions, Inc., advising multiple Fortune 100 companies, including General Motors, IBM, and Harley-Davidson. He has also worked in investment banking, having spent time in the Real Estate Finance Group at Smith Barney, Inc. Mr. Ford is a graduate of Dartmouth College. He lives in San Francisco and was born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts.
Kathleen Podesta Mehigan
Senior Portfolio Manager, Podesta & Co.
Miss Mehigan joined Podesta & Co. after working with the Charles Schwab firm in San Francisco. She is a senior portfolio manager working with high-end investors whose interests lie in equities as well as private placements. Miss Mehigan has an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University and B.A. from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. Kathleen did her graduate studies in American Culture at Boston College. She is a Trustee of the Pacific Vascular Research Foundation and a member of the Board of Directors of 18 Media, publishers of Gentry Magazine and California Home & Design. Miss Mehigan holds Series 7 and Series 63 licenses.
