Jerry Rudisin is a distinguished executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in high-
tech B2B software solution companies, in many industries. After a five-year VP of Marketing
stint in Boston, he moved to the Bay Area. After an eight-year VP of Marketing stint, Jerry
joined four venture-funded companies as CEO, building each from startup to growth company.
After 26 years in Silicon Valley, he and his family moved to Salt Lake City in July 2017. He
became the first Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Utah, and has been CEO of two
local early-stage startups. Jerry has also been active and effective as a CEO coach and as a
consultant on growth-company strategy, marketing, and team development, for clients in
multiple industries.
Jerry’s Bay Area CEO roles were at NightFire Software (Sequoia Capital, NEA, and US Venture
Partners), Agitar Software (Sequoia Capital and NEA), Schooner Information Technologies
(Menlo Ventures and Redpoint Ventures), and Flybits (Bosch Ventures and multiple Canadian
VC firms). NightFire, Agitar, and Schooner were acquired, and Flybits continues to grow. In Salt
Lake City, Jerry was Co-Founder and CEO from 2019 to 2024 of Backdrop Health, a pioneering
healthcare analytics company formed to commercialize novel machine-learning software from
the University of Utah. And, since 2018 Jerry has been the (part-time) CEO of Achilles Heel
Technologies, founded to commercialize cyber-security software from Brigham Young
University. Achilles Heel has been applying this technology to identify vulnerabilities in the US
power grid.
Jerry is a no-nonsense, no-BS leader focused on execution. Throughout his career, he has
shown the ability to build high-trust teams that enable sales, delight customers, and push for
sustained revenue growth, positive cash flow, and profitability. For example, over four years at
NightFire Software his product strategy and business development efforts grew annual revenue
from $300k to $25 million, and secured two funding rounds raising $40 million. At Agitar
Software he drove sales over five years from zero to $23 million, and got Series B and C funding
of $22.6m.
Jerry's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science from MIT and a Master of Science in Computer Science from UCLA. Jerry is
no longer a technologist, but is a businessman with a very strong technical background. That
combination has enabled his success in product management, go-to-market strategy,
marketing, sales, and as a CEO for companies offering sophisticated high-tech products in
multiple markets.
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.
