Quantum4D Team

Michael Warner
CEO & Founder

Michael Warner is Founder and CEO 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.

Kurt Swanson, PhD
Senior Director 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 start-ups.  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
Principal Engineer

Jake has worked extensively on scientific information visualization systems since graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in computer engineering. He has extensive experience in programming visualization methods.

Mike Martak
Senior Engineer

Michael Martak has worked as a software engineer for over 14 years.  His work includes development on the Java Development Kit at Sun Microsystems, the video game SimCity, and five years for Wall Street firms such as Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, and Platts.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Boston University.

Varun Sood
Senior Engineer

Varun has primarily been working with various Java/J2EE technologies. On completion of his M.S. in Computer Science & Engineering from Univ. of Toledo, he has been involved in developing various Web Applications. In his previous company he played a multifarious role of developing customizable application needs for clients like First Republic Bank, Wells Fargo.

Tesmurun Gungaadorj
Research Analyst

Tesa has primarily been involved with carrying out quantitative marketing research in various industries. She has studied economics at the University of Bonn in Germany, Business Administration in Mongolia and holds Finance Certificate from Berkeley Extension.

Jay Einbender
EVP of Business Development and Sales

Jay brings 20+ years of multi-faceted professional experience focused on the financial and capital markets and building companies and markets from ideation to funding to critical mass.  Jay began his career in 1986 with Salomon Brothers as an Institutional Fixed Income salesman.  In 1991, Jay left corporate Wall Street to focus his efforts on entrepreneurship opportunities with Structured Capital Management (1991), a quantitative analytics, structured finance and sales firm, Financial Design (1994), a Fee-only Financial advisory firm, and OffRoad Capital (1996).  Jay holds a MBA Finance from Columbia Graduate School of Business (’85) and a BA Marketing from New York University (’80).

 

Board Members

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 investing in, managing and operating highly successful companies. Mr. Herning is a graduate of Stanford University.

Steve Race

Led the introduction of the most successful product in the history of the video game industry. Secured distribution at all major retailers, and the support of third party software developers. 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.

Turned around a failing public software company. Business was cash strapped and had revenues of $60 million but losses of $40 million. Recruited a new management team, rationalized product lines, and raised capital through a PIPE and a convertible debenture. Grew revenue to over $100 million and profits to $8 million in 3 years, and sold the company to Hasbro.

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. Attracted new strategic investors, secured additional financing from existing investors, and raised $30 million in debt and equity. Redirected the corporation and its strategies, and developed a different business model.

Co-Founded a toy company that went from a start up to a public company with $300+ million in sales and $19 million in profits in its second year. Led the introduction of two of the fastest growing products in the history of the industry. Restructured multiple portfolio companies for private equity groups. Functioned in a crisis management operating position and Board of Directors role for multiple companies. Assignments included turnarounds, liquidations and selling parts or all of the businesses.

Alexander Ford
Chief Executive Officer, Praetorian Group

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 Web sites 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 GM, 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

Kathleen 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. Kathleen has an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University and  B.A. from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame. Indiana. She did graduate study 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.   Kathleen holds Series 7 and Series 63 licenses.