Dave O'Brien

Current

Chief Executive Officer at The Business Catapult
Senior Partner at Huge Consulting
Entrepreneur in Residence at Bard Center for Entrepreneurship, University of Colorado Denver

President at Blue Waves Consulting

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1 more...

Past

COO & CFO at P2 Energy Solutions
Director BPO at GE Network Solutions
COO at GE Network Solutions

CFO at GE Network Solutions, Smallworld Systems
CFO at Auto-trol Technology, Inc.
CFO at Array Technology, Inc Tandem Computers
CFO at Atalla Corporation, Tandem Computers
Sr. Planning Analyst at Tandem Computers
Division Finance Manager at AMD
Sr. Operations Manager at Texas Instruments

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7 more...

Education

University of Michigan
Northwestern University

Recommended

6 people have recommended Dave

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Computer Software

Websites

Dave O'Brien’s Summary

Accomplished, results-oriented leader with over 20 years of proven success in managing operations of companies, from start-ups to complex multi-national corporations.

Strong history of guiding businesses through rapid growth, globalization, expansion and outsourcing. Dynamic organizer of people, multi-national teams, and projects, with inventive flair for mobilizing and implementing business strategies and opportunities.

Personable communicator and team player, dedicated to helping others reach their goals. Passionate about giving back to the community and helping Non-profits achieve their mission.

Dave O'Brien’s Specialties:

Entrepreneurial Start-ups and Funding, Mergers and Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, Turnarounds, Business Process Re-Engineeering, International Perspective

Dave O'Brien’s Experience

Chief Executive Officer

The Business Catapult

(Capital Markets industry)

2008 — Present (1 year)

The Business Catapult (www.businesscatapult.com) is a SaaS business that helps build communities of investors and entrepreneurs so that they can work together faster & more effectively.
Senior Partner

Huge Consulting

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Management Consulting industry)

2008 — Present (1 year)

Founded in 2005, Huge Consulting helps Colorado emerging growth companies by developing plans for their growth and capital formation. Huge identifes ways to rapidly accelerate businesses, and assembles these into a well-coordinated, optimized business strategy.

Huge then works with investors to fund these emerging growth opportunities.
Entrepreneur in Residence

Bard Center for Entrepreneurship, University of Colorado Denver

(Educational Institution; 1-10 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

July 2006 — Present (3 years 1 month)

Executive Director for the Bard Center from 6/07-12/07; EIR from 7/06 to current. Manage Academic Entrepreneurial Center with over 400 students, 10 incubator companies and 20 affiliated companies ranging from concept thru funding. Manage Venture Capital Fund for the Bard Center.
President

Blue Waves Consulting

(Management Consulting industry)

2006 — Present (3 years)

A private consulting firm focused on helping "C" level officers design, develop and execute their strategies and plans. Team member at Huge Consulting, The Business Catapult & The Entrepreneurial Standards Forum;
COO & CFO

P2 Energy Solutions

(Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Computer Software industry)

September 2004 — June 2006 (1 year 10 months)

P2 Energy Solutions is a $100M privately held Company that provides software, solutions and Outsourcing to the Energy Industry. Dave managed operations and finance areas of the Company.
Director BPO

GE Network Solutions

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Computer Software industry)

October 2003 — September 2004 (1 year)

Managed Business Process outsourcing for the division. Designed developed and implemented a robust process that succeeded in reducing development costs by over $5M/annually
COO

GE Network Solutions

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Computer Software industry)

September 1999 — October 2003 (4 years 2 months)

Managed global operations for GE Network Solutions. Responsible for $120M organization with 300+ staff in 17 countries. Managed long-term business process re-engineering effort, including one year European and Asian assignment to overhaul operations and deal bidding processes, notably increasing historically low margins. Directed company wide integration of four acquired companies.
CFO

GE Network Solutions, Smallworld Systems

(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; SWLDY; Computer Software industry)

November 1996 — September 1999 (2 years 11 months)

CFO for Americas for Smallworld Systems, Inc. Later Bought by GE and renamed GE Smallworld & GE Network Solutions
CFO

Auto-trol Technology, Inc.

(Public Company; 201-500 employees; Computer Software industry)

May 1995 — October 1996 (1 year 6 months)

CFO for Global Organization. Responsible for financial operations in 5 subsidiaries.
CFO

Array Technology, Inc Tandem Computers

(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Computer Software industry)

May 1992 — May 1995 (3 years 1 month)

CFO for Array Technology, Inc. A wholly owned subsidiary of Tandem Computers. Now part of EMC Corporation.
CFO

Atalla Corporation, Tandem Computers

(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Computer & Network Security industry)

May 1988 — May 1992 (4 years 1 month)

CFO For Atalla Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tandem Computers. Now part of HP.
Sr. Planning Analyst

Tandem Computers

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Computer Hardware industry)

September 1986 — May 1988 (1 year 9 months)

Sr. Planning Analyst for Tandem Computer's Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis department.
Division Finance Manager

AMD

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Semiconductors industry)

June 1984 — September 1986 (2 years 4 months)

Division Finance Manager for $40M semiconductor division at AMD
Sr. Operations Manager

Texas Instruments

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; TXN; Semiconductors industry)

1978 — 1981 (3 years)

Senior Operations Manager, Cost Accounting Manager for the Digital Systems Group in Houston, Tx. A division of Texas Instruments chartered to design and manufacture computers and printers.

Dave O'Brien’s Education

University of Michigan

MBA , Finance & Strategy , 1981 — 1983

Activities and Societies:

Member UMBSA
Northwestern University

BS , Industrial Engineering , 1974 — 1978

Activities and Societies:

Cooperative Engineering Degree; Worked as an I.E. in COOP positions for Chemetron, Inc, and Ni-Tec, Inc.

Additional Information

Dave O'Brien’s Websites:

Dave O'Brien’s Interests:

Skiing,Biking, SCUBA Diving, High Technology, Business Development,Strategic Planning, Social Entrepreneurism

Dave O'Brien’s Groups:

Metro State Center for Innovation Advisor, Boulder Innovation Center Advisor,Rockies Venture Club, CTEK Advisor, CU Bard Center for Entrepreneurship Advisor, FEI, CSIA, Asst. Scoutmaster Boy Scouts in Boulder.

Director of Progressive Health Center, Denver, CO, Board of Advisors: RedZone Software, Simple Decisions, Developing Minds Software, Angel Capital Summit