Stuart Coulson

Current

Owner at Papera Ranch
Business Angel, Mentor (Self-employed)

Past

Vice President at Sabre Holdings
Co-Founder, Joint CEO & Technology Director at Gradient Solutions
Director, International Technology at Worldspan

Software Engineer, Project Leader, Technical Account Manager at Datalex Communications
Data Communications Software Engineer at Compucorp

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2 more...

Education

Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business
University of Geneva
Trinity College, Dublin

St. Patrick's Cathedral Grammar School

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1 more...

Recommended

16 people have recommended Stuart

Connections

354 connections

Industry

Venture Capital & Private Equity

Websites

Stuart Coulson’s Summary

Stuart is currently involved in a number of for-profit and for-benefit business angel and early stage non-executive investment projects in Ireland and the US, in addition to owning a small old-vine Zinfandel vineyard in the Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California.

Previously, Stuart specialized in travel technology and data communications, holding various technical and managerial positions in Ireland, the US and the UK.

Following software development, project management and sales engineering positions in a number of organizations, Stuart moved to Worldspan, a Global Distribution System, as Director, International Technology. Stuart was responsible for product development, customer solutions and technical support, product marketing and internal systems for Worldspan’s EMEA markets, as well as liaising on joint developments with Worldspan US and Asia Pacific.

In 1997, Stuart co-founded Gradient Solutions, developing on-line travel booking engines for customers such as Austrian Airlines, Delta, KLM, Northwest Airlines, Thomas Cook and Virgin Travelstore. As Technology Director and Joint CEO, Stuart was responsible for technical strategy, product architecture, product development, customer solutions and hosting operations, as well as sharing the responsibility for general management.

In August 2000, Gradient Solutions was acquired by Sabre, a Global Distribution System based in Southlake, Texas. Stuart held the position of Vice President, Product Development, with global product architecture design and development responsibilities for the Sabre .Res solution suite. Subsequently, Stuart held a number of roles within Sabre in corporate investment, acquisition due diligence and business unit management.

Stuart holds a B.A. (Mod.) in Computer Science from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, an MBA from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and an Executive MBA from Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, Pittsburgh, USA.

Stuart Coulson’s Specialties:

Business Angel, Seed Venture Capital, Mentoring, Entrepreneur, Travel Technology background

Stuart Coulson’s Experience

Owner

Papera Ranch

(Privately Held; Food & Beverages industry)

April 2007 — Present (2 years 8 months)

Papera Ranch is an old-vine Zinfandel vineyard, located on the eastern side of the Laguna de Santa Rosa in the Russian River AVA, Sonoma County, California.

The vineyard is named for Charley Papera, who planted the vines in 1934. Most of Charley’s original planting remains in place today. The old vines are head pruned and farmed without trellising or irrigation to produce high quality harvests. The resulting intensely flavorful grapes are prized by a number of wineries who produce great old-vine Zinfandel, much of which is vineyard designated.

Over the next few seasons, Papera Ranch will be receiving a little extra “TLC” to ensure it stays at its absolute best, continuing to provide top quality grapes that remain in high demand.
Business Angel, Mentor

Self-employed

(Self-Employed; Venture Capital & Private Equity industry)

August 2002 — Present (7 years 4 months)
Vice President

Sabre Holdings

(Public Company; TSG; Information Technology and Services industry)

August 2000 — August 2002 (2 years 1 month)

Sabre Holdings provides distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. Sabre Holdings supports travelers, travel agents, corporations and travel suppliers through its companies: Travelocity, Sabre Travel Network and Sabre Airline Solutions. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, the company has approximately 9,000 employees in 59 countries. Full year 2006 revenues totaled $2.8 billion.

Stuart held the position of Vice President, Product Development, with global product architecture design and development responsibilities for the Sabre .Res solution suite. Subsequently, Stuart held a number of roles within Sabre in corporate investment, acquisition due diligence and business unit management.
Co-Founder, Joint CEO & Technology Director

Gradient Solutions

(Internet industry)

June 1997 — August 2000 (3 years 3 months)

In 1997, Stuart co-founded Gradient Solutions, developing on-line travel booking engines for customers such as Austrian Airlines, Delta, KLM, Northwest Airlines, Thomas Cook and Virgin Travelstore. As Technology Director and Joint CEO, Stuart was responsible for technical strategy, product architecture, product development, customer solutions and hosting operations, as well as sharing the responsibility for general management.

In August 2000, Gradient Solutions was acquired by Sabre, a Global Distribution System based in Southlake, Texas.
Director, International Technology

Worldspan

(Privately Held; Information Technology and Services industry)

November 1994 — June 1997 (2 years 8 months)

Worldspan is a provider of travel technology and content and a part of the Travelport GDS business. It offers worldwide electronic distribution of travel information, Internet products and connectivity, and e-commerce capabilities for travel agencies, travel service providers and corporations. Its primary system is commonly known as a Global Distribution System (GDS), which is used by travel agents and travel related websites to book airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, tour packages and associated products. Worldspan also hosts IT services and product solutions for major airlines.

At Worldspan, Stuart was Director, International Technology, based in London, UK. Stuart was responsible for product development, customer solutions and technical support, product marketing and internal systems for Worldspan’s EMEA markets, as well as liaising on joint developments with Worldspan US and Asia Pacific.
Software Engineer, Project Leader, Technical Account Manager

Datalex Communications

(Public Company; Computer Software industry)

April 1987 — November 1994 (7 years 8 months)

Datalex is a leading provider of travel distribution software and solutions that enable global travel industry suppliers and distributors to deliver increased content and choice to their customers across multiple sales channels.
Data Communications Software Engineer

Compucorp

(Privately Held; Computer Software industry)

July 1984 — April 1987 (2 years 10 months)

Compucorp's long history included early electronic calculator development, desktop computers, LAN and terminal connectivity solutions, word processors and office automation.

At Compucorp Stuart primarily focused on embedded data communications protocol software development including solutions for customers such as Northrop, Philips Data Systems and the French Bourse.

Stuart Coulson’s Education

Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business

EMBA , International Wealth Management , 2004 — 2006
University of Geneva

MBA , International Wealth Management , 2004 — 2006
Trinity College, Dublin

B.A. (Mod.) , Computer Science , 1980 — 1984
St. Patrick's Cathedral Grammar School

1974 — 1980