At COO (Boardroom Media) we track over 1,000,000 startups and over 5,000,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United States based COO’ operating in the Project Management space. If you think a COO’ is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on [email protected].
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Erica Brescia
Chief Operating Officer of GitHub
Erica Brescia is the co-founder and COO of Bitnami. With over 1 million deployments per month, Bitnami provides the largest source of applications and development environments to the world’s leading cloud service providers, such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Platform, and Oracle Cloud Platform. Bitnami-packaged apps are consistent, secure, up-to-date, and can be deployed with a single click, either locally, in a virtual machine, in the cloud, or in a Docker container. Erica is a recipient of the Top 10 Women in Cloud award and serves on the board of directors of the Linux Foundation. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
Follow Erica Brescia:
About GitHub, XFactor Ventures: GitHub provides code hosting services that allow developers to build software for open-source and private projects in organizations.
Jordan Harris
Chief Operating Officer & President of Glitch
An experienced operating executive and entrepreneur, Jordan Harris formed the New Media Group at Reed Elsevier. He went on to found Hurricane Interactive and Notara Inc., which pioneered Brand Marketing Automation. He advises non-profits including Eyebeam, a platform for artists to engage society’s relationship with technology.
Follow Jordan Harris:
About Glitch, Lela: Glitch is the friendly community where everyone builds the web.
Chris Kirk
Chief Operating Officer of CBRE Group
Chris Kirk serves as CBRE’s Chief Operating Officer, with executive responsibility for key Shared Services functions, including Sourcing & Procurement, Information Technology, Corporate Communications, Program Management Office, Human Resources & Workplace Strategy and Global Research.Mr. Kirk previously served as Global Director of Human Resources. In this role, Mr. Kirk oversaw the company’s worldwide human resources operations, with responsibility for providing strategic oversight and senior management support for employee relations, staffing and recruitment, training and professional development, diversity, compensation and benefits. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Kirk served as the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel at Trammell Crow Company, CBRE’s real estate development services subsidiary, overseeing several management and administrative functions including investment management, legal/risk, human resources and corporate communications and marketing.Mr. Kirk joined Trammell Crow Company in 2001, where he held several senior management positions, including General Counsel & Chief Operating Officer. He played a key role in executing the merger of Trammell Crow Company with CBRE in 2006. Prior to joining Trammell Crow Company, Mr. Kirk was a partner in the Dallas office of Vinson & Elkins, where he was a corporate finance, securities and M&A lawyer.
Follow Chris Kirk:
About CBRE Group: CBRE Group is a holding company that conducts all of its operations through its indirect subsidiaries.
Robert Pantano
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer of Nexamp
Robert Pantano oversees Nexamp’s financial strategy and function, as well as company operations. Prior to joining Nexamp in 2011, Rob spent several years as a consultant to start-up and early stage companies in software, Internet technology, financial services, and defense fields, at the executive and board levels. Previously, Rob served as CFO of Xanalys, Inc., a private equity-funded data-mining and investigative management software firm, and as CFO of Artificial Life, Inc., a NASDAQ listed company specializing at the time in web-based intelligent agent solutions. Rob brings a broad range of financial, strategic, and operational leadership experience to Nexamp, along with an extensive legal and corporate governance background. As a CFO, he has led an IPO and several private equity financings. Rob holds a BS in Accountancy from Bentley University.
Follow Robert Pantano:
About Nexamp: Nexamp transforms the new energy economy with proven solutions for solar energy development, ownership, and operation.
Tim Mattox
President & Chief Operating Officer of Upland Software
Tim Mattox oversees Upland’s sales, marketing, development, operations, human resources and product areas, helping the company grow more effectively and efficiently. He also leads our GM’s, who run Upland’s various lines of business. Before joining Upland in 2014, Tim was at Dell, Inc. for approximately 15 years, holding executive roles in strategy, operations and marketing. He ran worldwide enterprise product management including pricing, demand/supply and financial forecasting, and product launch operations. He also ran Dell’s corporate strategy, reporting to the CEO for two years as part of the executive leadership team. Prior to this role, Tim led B2B marketing for Dell’s Americas region corporate business group, helping Dell achieve #1 share position in commercial notebooks, desktops and workstations. He also led worldwide product marketing for all of Dell’s desktops, notebooks and workstations for both the corporate and consumer market. Prior to this role, Tim started and ran DellHost, Dell’s entry into the web hosting business. He joined Dell to start and run the strategy team for Dell’s enterprise systems group. Preceding Dell, Tim worked for Bain & Company and Oracle Corporation. He sits on the board of the National Center for Arts and Technology, an innovative educational nonprofit. Tim holds BS/MS degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT and an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.
Follow Tim Mattox:
About Upland Software: Upland Software (Nasdaq: UPLD) is a leader in cloud-based tools for digital transformation.
Gary Ellis
Co-Founder, President & COO of Remesh
Gary Ellis serves as a co-founder and COO at Remesh.
Follow Gary Ellis:
About Remesh: Remesh offers an AI-powered platform that enables users to have live conversations with their customers at scale.
Timothy Estes
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Dycom Industries
Timothy Estes has been the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since September 2001. Prior to that, Timothy Estes was the President of Ansco & Associates, Inc., one of the Company’s subsidiaries, from 1997 to 2001 and Vice President from 1994 to 1997.
Follow Timothy Estes:
About Dycom Industries: Dycom Industries, Inc. (Dycom) is a provider of specialty contracting services. These services are provided throughout the United States
Dominic Schiavone
Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of CEO Coaching International
Don brings over 25 years of experience leading high-growth businesses. He brings together an in-depth understanding of technology with a data-driven “test-everything” philosophy: You can’t manage what you can’t measure. Don’s approach to coaching focuses on three pillars of success: people, process, and systems, in that order. Career Highlights Deep domain expertise in SaaS business models, professional services, financial services, hi-tech product development, telecom markets and building a high-performing company cultures. As COO, led the rapid growth of Grasshopper, the Entrepreneur’s Phone System, beating quarterly business goals for over 21 consecutive quarters and resulting in a highly successful sale of the business to Citrix (over $170 MM sale price). Led all aspects of the M&A process, including investment bank selection, deal negotiations, FCC approval and the entire sell-side due diligence process. Won award for the 2016 Best New Mentor at TechStars Boston. Co-founded Sagebridge Solutions to implement commercial Internet business solutions for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Achieved a 163% compound annual growth rate over three years and grew customer base to over 200 clients. Led the growth of Granitar, a top-tier professional services and tech consulting firm, from 60 consultants to over 200 consultants in under 2 years and raised over $15 MM in venture capital. Developed operational strategies for fortune 500 companies as a senior consultant with Mitchell Madison Group, a spinout of McKinsey & Company. Obtained an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Obtained a B.S. in Computer and Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University. Personal Highlights Married with three children Served on the board of the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce and held role of Vice Chairman Avid golfer. I’m a 1 handicap in my heart and a15 handicap in reality Getting the family back into downhill skiing to bring enjoyment into the long winters of the North East Obtained personal pilots license in my youth and dream of getting behind the yoke again
Follow Dominic Schiavone:
About CEO Coaching International: CEO Coaching International is an executive coaching company.
Ali Ahmad
Chief Operating Officer of Workgroups DaVinci
Follow Ali Ahmad:
About Workgroups DaVinci: Workgroups DaVinci is the end-to-end productivity solution built specifically for today’s marketing and creative teams.
Karl Laughton
President & COO of Insightly
Follow Karl Laughton:
About Insightly: Insightly specializes in the fields of CRM, enterprise software, and project management.
Steve Chong
COO of Projector PSA
Follow Steve Chong:
About Projector PSA: Projector PSA provides a hosted professional services automation suite for billable professional services organizations.
Juli Cordill
COO ,Managing Director & CMO of Premier Press
Follow Juli Cordill:
About Premier Press: Premier Press is a provider of marketing services.
Jeremey Diaz
Co-Founder & COO of Vimbel
Follow Jeremey Diaz:
About Vimbel: Vimbel is an all-in-one toolbox utilizing machine learning through productivity and collaboration tools.
Mike Theard
COO and Managing Partner of RSDCGroup
Mr. Theard, partner at RSDCGROUP, possesses 30 plus years of management experience in federal and commercial markets with an emphasis on stakeholder relations and program management. He possesses extensive experience in developing and implementing business processes that are mapped to organizational strategy and linked to desired outcomes in tactical execution. Mr. Theard provides strategic and operational support for pricing, directed contract negotiations, and legal activities for RSDCGROUP. He earned both Master and Bachelor of Science degrees in Information Technology Services from the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and Park College (University) and possesses a Chief Information Officer (CIO) Certificate in Federal Executive Competencies Certification from CIO University and UMUC. A veteran, his 23 years of military service (Department of Army, Joint and NATO) showcase his liaison and leadership capacities.
Follow Mike Theard:
About RSDCGroup: RSDCGroup provides solutions delivery, business services, systems engineering and continuity services.
Benjamin Legatt
Co-Founder and COO of Sadie Blue Software
Benjamin Legatt is a Co-Founder and COO at Sadie Blue Software.
Follow Benjamin Legatt:
About Sadie Blue Software: Sadie Blue Software is a web-based project management company that offers Agility Blue for legal teams and eDiscovery professionals.
Nancy Murray
COO North America of WorkBook Software
Follow Nancy Murray:
About WorkBook Software: WorkBook is a SaaS web based system including CRM, project and resource management and accounting.
William Welch
Founder and Chairman & Chief Operating Officer of Intellinote
William Welch, co-founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of Intellinote, Inc. is responsible for overall strategic direction, operations and finances of the company. Mr. Welch is a seasoned entrepreneur leading the formation, rapid growth and successful sale for a number of companies over the past twenty five years. Prior to co-founding Intellinote, William served as Chief Financial Officer of Clarabridge, Inc., responsible for managing the company’s financial strategy, operating budget, human resources and capital raising activities. Before Clarabridge, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Vibrant Solutions, Inc., leading the company’s turnaround, expansion into Europe and sale of the company. Prior to Vibrant, William was co-founder and Executive Vice President of P-Com Network Services, Inc. spearheading numerous domestic and European M&A transactions. Previously he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Columbia Spectrum Management LP and co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of First Page USA, Inc. and led the successful sale of each company.
Follow William Welch:
About Intellinote: Broadsoft, formerly Intellinote, is a VoIP applications development company serving more than 450 telecommunications service providers.
Sarah Engel
COO of Moe Assist
Follow Sarah Engel:
About campsix, Moe Assist: Moe Assist is a project management and payment tool for influencers.
Luke Howe
Chief Operating Officer and Partner of Government Tactical Solutions
Follow Luke Howe:
About Government Tactical Solutions: Government Tactical Solutions is a veteran-owned small business, focuded on information technology services.
Mike Ferry
COO of Oxygen Initiative
Mike has over a decade of experience in the e-mobility and smart grid sectors, managing diverse portfolios of clean energy initiatives focused on vehicle electrification, advanced energy storage, and behind-the-meter distributed and renewable generation.
Follow Mike Ferry:
About Oxygen Initiative: Oxygen Initiative is a global leader in intelligent electric vehicle charging infrastructure.