Chief Executive Officer
Gregg Smith joined KoolSpan as CEO in September 2011, bringing more than 25 years of technology sales and operations experience that includes leading seven companies to successful exits. At KoolSpan, Smith leads corporate strategy, focusing on sales growth, refining operations and developing global partnerships in order to establish KoolSpan’ s TrustChip as market leader for mobile security and encryption.
As CEO of Acuity Mobile, Smith grew the mobile marketing firm from the startup phase, to the leader in hospitality and enterprise mobile marketing solutions. He then negotiated its sale to NAVTEQ, a billion dollar division of Nokia. While at Aether Systems (NASDAQ:AETH), a wireless software solutions provider, Smith increased revenues from $3 million to $100 million in 3 years through product launches in over 40 countries. He sold Aether’s Enterprise Division to TeleCommunication Systems (NASDAQ: TSYS) and stayed on to run the division for two years. In addition to these transitions, Smith was President and COO of Karch International, a software provider, and Vice President of Nurad Technologies, a broadband wireless hardware and electronic warfare product manufacturer, negotiating successful sales for both companies.
Smith serves as a board member for several private companies and presents at mobile and wireless industry and investment conferences. He is a graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Chief Technology Officer
Bill Supernor brings to KoolSpan a robust track record of performance and innovation based on more than 20 years of combined engineering and management experience. Supernor joins KoolSpan from McLean, Va.-based Trust Digital, a leading provider of smartphone security management. Prior to Trust Digital, Supernor served in senior-level positions at Cognio, Symantec, and McAfee/Network Associates. Supernor also served as a Lieutenant and Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. Supernor graduated with honors from National University with a Master of Science degree in Software Engineering, and with distinction from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Senior Vice President
Francis Knott has over 17 years of mobility, technology, interactive media, software and healthcare experience building companies, growing revenue and launching and marketing new products. Mr. Knott was recently SVP Business Development at Inflection Point Systems, a software and product development firm. Prior to joining Inflection Point, Francis served as Senior Vice President of Gloto Corporation, a mobile social media company where he developed and implemented its go to market strategy. Mr. Knott served as Vice President for Aether Systems, a mobile applications company where he was responsible for merger and acquisitions, corporate development and managing the P&L for its Mobile Office division that he sold to Telecommunication Systems and continued to serve as Vice President. Mr. Knott has held business development positions with Alta Vista and Metropolitan Health Networks. While at Alta Vista his responsibilities included equity investments, content licensing and developing strategic partnerships for the new media product. He was a key contributor to the acquisition strategy and initial public offering for Metropolitan Health Networks.
Francis received a B.A. in History from Syracuse University.
Vice President of Engineering
Eric Ashman has over 18 years of experience in mobile software development, software-as-a-service, cloud infrastructure, telecommunications and systems engineering. He leads the team developing secure mobile communications software for use with KoolSpan’s TrustChip. Prior to joining KoolSpan in 2012, Eric served as Director of Engineering for Mobile Advertising in the Location and Commerce division of Nokia. Ashman was responsible for post-click content delivery for the Location Point Advertising platform, which served location-aware ads to users of maps, apps, and mobile web sites. Ashman also previously worked at Acuity Mobile, Proteus, Mars Music and USWeb/CKS. He has been a frequent speaker at trade shows, including COMDEX and NetExpo, and was an Adjunct Professor at American University. Eric received his Bachelor of Science in Audio Technology and his Master of Science in Computer Information Systems from American University.
Vice President Finance
Gina Smith has over 12 years of finance & accounting, financial reporting, human resources, budgeting and financial analysis experience in the technology industry. Prior to joining Koolspan in 2006, Ms. Smith served as the Controller and Finance manager for Infotech Enterprises, the US subsidiary of a mutli national corporation where she was responsible for all finance and accounting. Prior to Infotech Enterprises, Gina was a Financial Analyst at ComScore Networks in Reston, Virginia reporting to the Controller. Ms. Smith has held various finance positions at Facility Engineering Associates and RipTech, Inc. While at RipTech, Inc., Ms. Smith was responsible for all accounting and human resources and was a key contributor to its acquisition by Symantec Corporation in 2002.
Gina received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from The University of Virginia.
Vice President International
Gerald Murphy brings over 20 years Engineering, Management and Business Development experience in the field of innovative communications. Previously Gerald held a Specialist Advisor role involving Business Teaming and Solution Architecture at Fujitsu U.K. ensuring success in winning complex Defence contracts. Prior to that Mr Murphy held International Engineering, Programme Management and Lead International Sales roles at Harris RF Communications Division. This included successful Bid and Programme Management on flagship network encryption programmes and the management of the International Dealer network. Gerald gained Project and Business responsibilities in the Financial Sector on the successful Euro Conversion with a financial outlook of 2.3 Billion Euros for Ernst & Young in the Netherlands. Gerald started his career in the British Army ending an exemplary career with U.K. Special Forces as a signals and communications specialist.
Gerald gained a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Open University in the U.K.
Vice President Federal
Prior to joining KoolSpan in 2012, J.D. completed a 20-year career in the U.S. military, serving in a broad range of leadership positions, from Aviator to Military Attaché. J.D. began as an Army Ranger and Apache Aviator stationed in Germany and South Korea, and then transitioned to become a Eurasian Foreign Area Officer where he conducted diplomatic engagement and negotiations with governmental officials in over 30 countries throughout Europe and the Republics of the former Soviet Union. In the last two assignments before entering the private sector, J.D. served as a Military Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia Bulgaria, and then as a Political-Military Advisor in the U.S. Department of State where he negotiated arms control treaties while on diplomatic status to the OSCE and NATO.
J.D. received a Bachelor’s Degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a Masters Degree from Harvard University and an MBA from Mary-Hardin Baylor University. Additionally, J.D has served in combat operations in Iraq and Kosovo, earned a Bronze Star, and has experience working in sensitive intelligence operations.
