Mark Smith

30 years of experience providing leadership in large, high growth and entrepreneurial organizations. Principal in the Cobalt Group, a nationally recognized private consultancy that is retained by leaders from the private, public and nonprofit sectors to assist with decision-making related to investments in capital projects, research and development, market-based programs and growth and sustainability strategies. Since its founding in 1997, Cobalt Group has helped guide over $500 million in public-private partnership investments.

Since 2004 has served as a Venture Partner for JumpStart, Inc., a venture development organization whose mission is to accelerate the growth of early stage businesses in Northeast Ohio. Provide intensive hands-on assistance to JumpStart portfolio companies, working one-on-one with entrepreneurs to strengthen and execute their business plans, insuring that key milestones are met, advancing the companies through early stages of growth toward commercialization, and networking entrepreneurs with the venture capital community to secure follow-on funding needed to fuel additional growth and shareholder value. In this role has helped portfolio companies attract over $10 million in follow-on funding.

Prior to 2004, served on the executive management teams of start-up endeavors Drive Logic in Chicago, which provided Internet based supply chain management tools, and insurance software provider Claim IQ in San Francisco. During the 1980s and 1990s served in executive management roles for prominent Cleveland companies Progressive Insurance and medical products leader Invacare Corporation. Serves as Board member and Vice President of Marketing for the Cleveland International Film Festival, and has served on the technology advisory board for Red Cross Blood Services of Northern Ohio. Holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from Michigan State University.

Mark Smith’s Experience

Principal

Cobalt Group, Inc

(Privately Held; Management Consulting industry)

January 2008 — Present (1 year 11 months)

Cobalt Group is a nationally recognized private consultancy to leaders who are committed to sustainable business models and healthy cultures.

Excellence is never accomplished alone. Cobalt Group is dedicated to helping leaders from any discipline who recognize this and are committed to accomplishing greatness for their organizations.

The Cobalt Group Practice Model transcends traditional organizational, cultural and disciplinary boundaries, and is effective and enabling leaders of all walks make sustainable change:

- Corporate Executives
- Heads of Non-Profit organizations
- Entrepreneurs
- Civic leaders and elected officials
- Institutional Investors
- Heads of Foundations
Venture Partner

JumpStart, Inc.

(Non-Profit; Venture Capital & Private Equity industry)

September 2004 — Present (5 years 3 months)

- JumpStart funds high-growth businesses and ideas, works with their founders to develop the businesses into venture-ready entities and simultaneously celebrates Northeast Ohio's early-stage company successes.
- Provide mentoring, coaching and guidance to Portfolio companies to help accelerate growth and insure that key milestones are met.
- www.jumpstartinc.org
Founder

SpectrumSpace Studios

(Photography industry)

January 2004 — Present (5 years 11 months)

SpectrumSpace studio is a Cleveland based creative collaboration of visual artists who are dedicated to creation, promotion, exhibition and event production. SpectrumSpace is the creative home of Mark Smith Photography, Element Photo and David Schwartz Photography www.spectrumspace.com
Board Member and Vice President of Marketing

Cleveland International Film Festival

(Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

2003 — Present (6 years )

The Cleveland International Film Festival is the flagship event of the Cleveland Film Society. The Mission of the Cleveland Film Society is promote artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community.
Vice President

ClaimIQ

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Information Services industry)

2001 — 2003 (2 years )

- ClaimIQ provides advanced claims decision-support solutions to property-casualty insurance carriers, with focus on reducing lost economic opportunity associated with poor information availability and inconsistent decision making.
- Responsible for management of key strategic client relationships and new business development. Provide corporate direction and strategic planning as a member of the executive management team.
- www.claimiq.com
Vice President

CCC Information Services / DriveLogic

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; cccg; Information Services industry)

March 2000 — August 2001 (1 year 6 months)

- DriveLogic provides Internet based solutions to bring efficiencies to the automobile claims management supply chain. DriveLogic was formed in February 2000 as a wholly owned subsidiary of CCC Information Services (NASDAQ - CCCG).
- Provided leadership for numerous key functions including Staffing, Product Management, Product Development, Business Development, Marketing and Strategic Industry Relations.
- www.cccis.com
IT Executive

Progressive Insurance

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; pgr; Insurance industry)

1990 — 2000 (10 years )

- Progressive is a Fortune 500 organization and the third largest provider of private passenger automobile insurance in the US.
- www.progressive.com
Director of Information Systems/CIO

Invacare

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; ivc; Medical Devices industry)

1983 — 1990 (7 years )

- Invacare is a leading manufacturer and distributor of durable medical and home health care products. 1989 revenues of $250 million, with seven-year average annual revenue growth of over 25%.
- Corporate-wide responsibility for Information Technology, including Applications Development, Data Center Operations, Technical Services, Voice & Data Communications and Networking.
- www.invacare.com
Systems Project Manager

Volkswagen of America

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; VW; Automotive industry)

December 1979 — June 1983 (3 years 7 months)

Led and participated in a wide range of manufacturing and financial systems development projects.

Mark Smith’s Education

Michigan State University

BS , Mathmatics, Physics , 1977 — 1979

Additional Information

Mark Smith’s Websites:

Mark Smith’s Interests:

Photography: Fine art, portrait, some commercial work Film: Have produced 2 short films which have received international critical acclaim www.spectrumspace.com