Tom Eckmann

Tom has worked for more than 30 years with startup, early-stage and growth companies.  His business experience spans multiple career tracks — management consultant, business executive, entrepreneur and author.  On his consulting track, Tom worked with three prestigious management-consulting firms: A.T. Kearney, Arthur D. Little, and Pittiglio Rabin Todd & McGrath (a subsidiary of KPMG Peat Marwick). At Kearney and Arthur D. Little, he worked on more than fifty projects, where he dealt with complex operations management issues in many different businesses.  At KPMG, Tom was a leader in the interim executive  practice and directed turnaround or divestiture projects for six different technology companies.

As a business executive, Tom was Vice President of Operations for Anova Electronics, the consumer electronics division of Dart & Kraft.  At Anova, he established manufacturing operations in the Far East and the distribution and supply chain functions in the U.S.  He was also Vice President of Operations for Digital Systems International (now a division of Lucent) where he led a group of more than 260 engineers and technicians who installed and supported complex call center systems in large financial institutions. 

As an entrepreneur, Tom is the founder of three successful companies.  He founded a software company that developed programming language compilers and development tools for Apple computers.  After establishing a leading position in the education market, a strategic partner purchased the company.  Tom co-founded a business services company that focused on outsourcing of administrative functions.  After building a impressive list of customers, a competitor purchased the company.  Finally, Tom founded a company that distributed large format drawings and construction specifications via the Internet.  The company became a preferred supplier to Federal and State agencies and many large architectural firms.  Tom sold his interest to the investor group.

Tom is also the author of An Interpreneur’s Journey:  The Birth of a “New Economy” Business.  The book is a true-to-life story of an Internet entrepreneur.  It describes his startup experience with the typical misadventures and lessons-learned.  It is also a how-to guide, which describes the steps involved in starting a new venture.

Tom earned a Bachelor of Science and a Masters degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of California at Berkeley.  He serves on the Board of the Northwest Venture Group, where he co-chairs the Membership committee and publishes the monthly Venturer newsletter.  He also serves as an advisor to numerous early stage companies.

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