Thomas Isakovich
CEO and Founder
Thomas Isakovich is CEO and founder of Nimbus Data. Thomas started Nimbus Data to rewrite the rules of data storage for the modern age by combining powerful yet easy-to-use software, next-generation flash memory technology, and a revolutionary customer experience and business model. Thomas personally provided 80% of the capital to fund Nimbus Data, bypassing venture capital and boot-strapping the business to over 700 installations at over 200 customers in 12 countries. Fascinated with data storage at an early age, Thomas designed and sold his first storage array 25 years ago as a teenager. After stints at IBM’s Almaden Research Center and Oracle’s Network Computer division, Thomas founded TrueSAN Networks out of his dorm room at Stanford University, ultimately taking a leave of absence to build the company into a leading storage management software provider. Thomas later returned to Stanford, graduating in the top 10% of his class and earning a B.A. with Honors. Thomas is a published author, has several patents, and is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship and storage technology at universities and industry events. When not working, he can be found hiking the trails or surfing the waves of southern California.
Ed Zschau
Investor and Advisor (Former General Manager, IBM Storage Systems Division)
Ed Zschau is a rare individual whose career spans leadership roles in technology, government, venture capital, and education. Dr. Zschau served as a Professor at Princeton University, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Harvard Business School. He was the founder and CEO of System Industries from 1968 through 1981. In 1982, Ed was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and represented the Silicon Valley area in Congress while serving on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House for two terms ending in 1986. In 1987, Ed became a General Partner of Brentwood Associates, a venture capital firm. In 1988, he was elected Chairman and CEO of Censtor, a company which had been founded by Brentwood to develop advanced magnetic recording components for disk drives. Dr. Zschau later joined IBM as General Manager of the $6.5 billion Storage Systems Division until 1995. Ed has an A.B. (cum laude) from Princeton University, M.B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. from Stanford University, and a Doctor of Law degree (Honoris Causa) from the University of San Francisco. Ed is the Founding Chairman, Emeritus of the TECH Museum in San Jose, California, and is a Senior Fellow of the California Council on Science and Technology.
Dick Watts
Investor and Advisor (Former Corporate VP, HP UNIX Server and PC Business Units)
Dick Watts has a successful track record as a senior manager at both large and small technology companies. Dick was CEO of ConvergeNet, a storage networking company that he led from the early stages through its acquisition in 1999 by Dell for over $300 million. Prior to joining ConvergeNet, Mr. Watts was a corporate vice president at HP where he ran a series of multi-billion dollar revenue business units, including the PC group and the UNIX systems line. His last position at HP was head of worldwide sales and distribution. He recently served as CEO of Pragmax Software, a provider of product lifecycle management tools, and president and CEO of Scale Eight, a storage service provider. Mr. Watts obtained a BSc with honors from Imperial College in London, England, and also attended the Stanford Executive Program. He is also a past Trustee of St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation in San Francisco and the San Jose Museum of Art.