Dave Parker, an experienced entrepreneur and startup advisor, has been appointed as the new CEO of the global networking group Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). With almost three decades of experience in founding, investing, and mentoring various companies, Parker has also been involved with organizations such as Startup Weekend and Code Fellows. He aims to grow EO’s membership base to over 35,000 individuals in the coming years while remaining based in Seattle. EO, founded in 1987, has nearly 19,000 members across 83 countries and 222 chapters, with a focus on connecting founders and business owners at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
In other key personnel changes in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle technical recruiting startup Karat has appointed Nathan Rader as the chief revenue officer. Rader’s previous experience includes over a decade at Google, leading sales for Google Cloud, and working for HighRadius. Additionally, Kelly Fukai has been named the chief operating officer at WTIA, joining the non-profit organization after working with Spokane International Airport and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. Seattle-based biotech company SystImmune has named Dr. Jie D’Elia as CEO, who previously held a senior role at Bristol Myers Squibb. Longtime Seattle-area manufacturing leader Steve Buckley has joined geological and mining startup GeologicAI as the senior vice president of instrumentation, bringing his expertise from founding Photon Machines and leading Block Engineering.
Shashi Jain has been appointed as a partner at Portland Seed Fund, moving from his previous role as a principal at the Portland-based fund with a background in the tech industry, including over two decades at Intel. Erik Moore, the chief information officer at DevilDog Cybersecurity, has taken on a new role as program director for a new cybersecurity master’s program at Seattle University. These changes in key personnel across various companies and organizations in the Pacific Northwest highlight the dynamic nature of the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the caliber of talent driving innovation and growth.
The appointment of Dave Parker as the new CEO of Entrepreneurs’ Organization signifies a strategic move to further enhance the organization’s global footprint and support for entrepreneurs worldwide. With his wealth of experience and connections in the startup ecosystem, Parker is well-positioned to lead EO towards its goal of expanding its membership base and connecting founders and business owners across different regions and industries. The Pacific Northwest region is also experiencing significant leadership changes in key roles, with seasoned professionals taking on new challenges and driving growth and innovation across various sectors.
As the CEO of EO, Dave Parker’s vision to grow the organization’s membership base to more than 35,000 members reflects a commitment to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial community and providing valuable resources and support for startups and businesses at different stages of growth. The Pacific Northwest region, known for its thriving startup scene and innovative companies, is seeing a wave of leadership changes and appointments in key roles, indicating a strong focus on driving growth, innovation, and collaboration within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. With experienced professionals taking on new roles and responsibilities, the region is poised for continued success and expansion in the years to come.
The strategic appointments of individuals such as Nathan Rader at Karat, Kelly Fukai at WTIA, and Dr. Jie D’Elia at SystImmune demonstrate a commitment to driving growth and innovation in key sectors such as technology, biotech, and manufacturing. These changes in leadership positions highlight the region’s dynamic and diverse talent pool, capable of driving forward-thinking initiatives and building successful companies. With a focus on expanding networks, fostering collaboration, and supporting entrepreneurship, the Pacific Northwest continues to be a hub of innovation and growth, with experienced professionals leading the way towards a bright future for the region’s startup ecosystem.
