Michael joined Highland in 1999 and serves as Senior Vice President. He is responsible for the firm’s marketing programs, media relations, events, speaking, online and direct marketing activities across all funds and geographies. Michael also spearheads a number of key strategic market, portfolio and entrepreneurial development initiatives.

 

In his role, Michael advises Highland portfolio companies on marketing strategy, positioning, communications, programs and overall marketing effectiveness. Since joining the firm, he has had the opportunity to work individually with over 100 startups and private companies on a variety of marketing-focused initiatives. He has also focused on implementing programs that deliver competitive advantage for Highland portfolio companies. This includes CEO Summits, Marketing Summits, industry forums, best-practice workshops, the Highland Extranet and Highland Career Network, a first-of-its-kind industry program which has enabled Highland-backed companies to more effectively compete for talent across all levels of their organization.

As part of his charter, Michael looks to connect portfolio companies in other ways as well. In 2003, he created Courtside@Highland, Highland’s annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament and gathering to recognize the hard work by personnel at Highland’s portfolio companies. Michael and his team also designed and executed Highland’s 20th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Gala Celebration, the largest startup and entrepreneurial gathering ever held by a venture firm (over 1,000 participants, including 300 CEOs).

In addition, Michael works closely with the top universities, business schools and entrepreneurial organizations around the world to apply Highland resources in helping the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs become successful. With this community in mind, he has developed and launched such innovative programs as:

• Summer@Highland, a comprehensive and intensive 10-week offering that provides select student entrepreneurs with the environment and resources to focus on an idea for building a company.  Two companies from the Summer program have been funded by Highland to date.
• Summer Internships, an initiative for actively working with university placement offices and Highland-backed companies to create openings for university students looking to gain work experience in startup environments.  Last year 25 summer positions were posted for students.
  
• Entrepreneurship Central, a unique online platform for globally sharing advice, perspective and best practices on key aspects of the company creation process.  BusinessWeek has recognized Entrepreneurship Central as one of the top resources for entrepreneurs.
• Connect@Highland, a series of bi-coastal events organized for connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with early stage company founders and key players across the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  

Finally, Michael is responsible for the Highland Entrepreneur Center, a dedicated environment for seeding and hosting entrepreneurs and startups. Since launching it in 2001, over 60 seed and early stage initiatives have participated in the initiative. Originally based in Highland’s Lexington office, the Entrepreneur Center has now expanded to also include Highland’s Menlo Park office.

 

Background
Prior to joining Highland, Michael was Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Gentia Software (Boston/London) where he led the efforts to re-brand the company in the analytical application space, notably around the Balanced Scorecard. Before that, he was Vice President of Marketing at IQ Software (Atlanta), a decision support software tools company. Prior to IQ, Michael held a variety of marketing, product management and software development roles at Unisys Corporation (Blue Bell, PA, Christchurch, New Zealand and Minneapolis) as well as Analysts International (Rochester, MN).

Education
University of Michigan, B.S., Computer Engineering
University of St. Thomas, M.B.A., Marketing

Interests
Michael is involved in numerous entrepreneurial and professional organizations, primarily those focused on further facilitating and fostering innovation. He is a Charter Member of TiE-Boston and has served on the Advisory Board of the Nantucket Conference since 2000. Previous involvements also include serving on the Management Committee of the ANZA Technology Network and the Executive Board of the Professional Marketing Forum of North America. Michael lives in the Boston area with his wife, Jennifer, and three children. They enjoy hiking, fishing, traveling and having fun together as a family, particularly as often as they can up in Vermont.