Jerry Rudisin is a seasoned B2B software executive with over 30 years of experience, renowned for his ability to navigate the complexities of both pre-product startups and growth companies. With a deep understanding of strategy, positioning, marketing, and sales for SaaS and on-premise software, Rudisin has made a lasting and large contribution to every organization he has led.

Soon after moving from Silicon Valley, where he worked for 26 years, to Salt Lake City as a family adventure, Jerry became the first Entrepreneur-in-Residence at The University of Utah. He is currently CEO and co-founder of Backdrop Health, Inc., which was formed to commercialize some powerful technology developed at The U of U. Backdrop has a new way of applying machine learning on electronic medical records to identify disease signatures and make patient outcome predictions, far more precisely than possible with earlier techniques. Backdrop has its first customer, and sees potential widespread use of its solution in multiple markets. Jerry is also the part-time CEO of Achilles Heel Technologies, a cyber-security company formed to commercialize technology developed at Brigham Young University. Achilles Heel is working with the Department of Energy to identify and protect against vulnerabilities in the US power grid.

During his tenure as CEO of Flybits, Inc., Rudisin enabled its founder and initial CEO to focus on development, buying time for the team to create the solution that the company needed to become a leader in the field of context-aware computing. Under  Rudisin’s guidance, Flybits successfully launched its first true platform product, which is revolutionizing how businesses engage with their customers using digital marketing. Flybits continues its dramatic growth today, winning numerous customers.

Before assuming these roles, Rudisin served as CEO at three venture-backed startups –  Schooner Information Tech, Agitar Software, and NightFire Software – where he honed his expertise in driving organizational growth and operational efficiency. Aside from driving substantial customer acquisition and revenue growth, Rudisin negotiated important strategic partnerships at each of these companies, further enhancing their market position and accelerating growth. Each of these three companies was acquired in a series of successful exits. His earlier tenure as VP of Marketing at Rational Software Corporation enriched his strategic acumen and leadership capabilities, as he played a key role in shaping the company’s market positioning and driving revenue growth. Rudisin’s track record at each of these esteemed organizations showcases his unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results, whether through innovative product launches, strategic partnerships, or targeted marketing initiatives. His leadership prowess and ability to navigate complex business landscapes have consistently propelled companies under his stewardship to new heights of success, earning him widespread recognition as a dynamic and visionary leader in the technology sector.

 Jerry is very proud of the fact that scores of people on his teams, who started as product managers, support engineers, individual sales reps, and software developer, have become CEOs and VPs of Sales, Marketing, and Development.

A graduate of MIT with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and a Master of Science in Computer Science from UCLA, Rudisin continues to push the boundaries of innovation, combining technical expertise with a relentless drive for excellence. His leadership philosophy is grounded in building high-trust teams and fostering a culture of creativity, tenacity, and effective execution.

Beyond his professional achievements, Rudisin is a devoted husband and father, finding balance between his personal and professional pursuits. His commitment to excellence, coupled with his passion for innovation, makes him a true contributor in the world of B2B software leadership.

Character: Jerry Rudisin demonstrates integrity, resilience, and ethical leadership throughout his 30-year career, consistently navigating challenges with grace and integrity.

Knowledge: With deep expertise in strategy, marketing, and sales for both SaaS and on-premise software, Rudisin leverages his extensive industry knowledge to drive innovation and growth in every organization he leads.

Strategic: Rudisin exhibits a keen strategic acumen, effectively identifying market opportunities, negotiating crucial licensing agreements, and positioning companies for long-term success in dynamic and competitive landscapes.

Communication: As a skilled communicator, Rudisin articulates complex concepts with clarity and precision, fostering collaboration, building strategic partnerships, and driving organizational alignment to achieve shared goals.