Guiding Startup Triumph: The Vital Role of Independent Advisors and Platforms in Achieving Success

Maximizing revenue in technology and payments organizations demands an integrated, forward-thinking approach rooted in strategic business development, innovation, and cross-functional alignment. By entering high-growth markets, leveraging data-driven personalization, and diversifying monetization models, companies can unlock new revenue streams. Collaboration across sales, product, finance, and compliance functions enhances agility and customer-centricity, while cutting-edge technologies—like embedded finance, AI, and blockchain—enable seamless, scalable payment solutions. Strategic partnerships further expand market reach, and a commitment to continuous learning ensures adaptability amid evolving market dynamics. Ultimately, organizations that embed innovation, collaboration, and data insight into their core processes are best positioned for sustained growth and competitive advantage.

John Bongaarts is an accomplished AI technology and product strategist with over 15 years of experience leading high-impact initiatives across Fortune 500 companies and high-tech industries, including semiconductor, aerospace, transportation, and music technology. As the Founder of Chiptown Consulting and Strategic Advisor at Audialab, Inc., he helps organizations unlock business value through responsible AI practices and cutting-edge technology solutions. With a strong background in generative AI product management and AI governance frameworks, Bongaarts is known for driving organizational change, advancing ethical AI deployments, and aligning technology strategies with business objectives. His extensive experience at National Instruments, where he held senior leadership roles including Chief AI Technology Strategist, reflects his ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable strategies that foster innovation, customer trust, and competitive advantage.

I'm excited to share my professional journey and expertise in digital transformation, cloud technology, and payments infrastructure. Over the past 20 years, I've passionately worked to drive growth, technology, and leadership through strategic initiatives, operational excellence, and innovation. I invite you to learn more about my experience and vision—here is my biography.

I’m excited to share my executive biography, detailing my journey in IT leadership, cybersecurity, and business technology strategy. With over 25 years of experience, I thrive on helping businesses align their IT operations with long-term success while mitigating risks and enhancing efficiency. If you’re interested in how I can bring value to your organization, let’s connect!

Bradley Herrup is a seasoned engineering leader with a track record of scaling high-performing teams, optimizing cloud infrastructure, and driving technological innovation. As a Senior Engineering Manager at AWS, he leads the EC2 Capacity team, managing critical infrastructure that powers the world's largest cloud computing platform. With over 15 years of experience in cloud computing, capacity planning, and software development, Bradley has successfully led global teams, launched revenue-generating products, and implemented efficiency improvements that have resulted in significant cost savings. His expertise in data-driven decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic execution has positioned him as a key driver of operational excellence and engineering innovation in the tech industry.

James Massa is a dynamic and results-oriented executive with over 20 years of experience leading organizations across various sectors, including technology, biotech, AI, and non-profits. With dual degrees in Business Administration and Computer Science, Massa has successfully driven operational excellence, revenue growth, and market expansion, managing $500M P&Ls and overseeing teams of up to 400 members. His leadership has led to impressive outcomes, including up to 500% revenue increases, cost reductions, and enhanced profitability. A strategic thinker with expertise in AI, machine learning, and data science, Massa excels at navigating regulatory complexities, fostering partnerships, and leading transformative business initiatives that drive long-term success.

Jeff Barela is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader with over 25 years of experience in database marketing, CRM, and SaaS, known for his ability to build, scale, and successfully exit a profitable marketing technology company. With deep expertise in strategic planning, finance, operations, legal, and sales, he takes a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to business growth and innovation. His leadership in AI-driven marketing technology, agile software development, and stakeholder engagement has positioned him as a trusted advisor in the industry. Currently, Jeff is seeking strategic advisory or part-time consulting opportunities where he can leverage his extensive experience to drive impactful results in the marketing technology sector.

Andrew Dillon is a pioneering business innovation expert and transformational leader with a track record of driving market expansion, technological advancements, and strategic growth across multiple industries. With experience founding and scaling five successful startups—several of which were acquired by major corporations—he has demonstrated an exceptional ability to identify emerging opportunities, develop disruptive solutions, and lead companies from ideation to commercialization. His expertise spans energy, digital solutions, electrification, and customer engagement, where he has guided organizations in unlocking multi-million dollar opportunities through innovative product development and strategic market positioning. As a trusted advisor and enterprise growth leader, Andrew bridges the gap between business strategy and technical innovation, empowering companies to navigate complex markets, expand their reach, and achieve long-term success.

Sharon Crowder is a dynamic executive leader with a proven track record in project and portfolio management, business transformation, and strategic execution across global enterprises. Known for her ability to drive operational excellence, streamline project delivery, and lead high-impact initiatives, she has successfully built and restructured PMOs, rescued at-risk projects, and optimized vendor management processes to achieve significant cost savings and efficiency gains. With extensive experience engaging executive stakeholders and guiding organizations through complex change, Sharon has led large-scale transformations at PwC, King County, Visa, and Silicon Valley Bank, delivering measurable results that enhance business performance. Her expertise in developing innovative strategies, fostering collaboration, and implementing structured methodologies makes her a trusted leader in driving enterprise-wide success.

Robert Gassen is a seasoned IT and business development executive with over 50 years of experience in software development, project management, customer support, and entrepreneurship. He has successfully led large-scale enterprise projects, managed teams of up to 60 professionals, and built strategic partnerships with major software companies. Transitioning from IT to photography, he founded HumaNature Photography, growing it into a full-service studio before specializing in real estate photography. Currently, he remains active in the workforce while seeking board and advisory roles where he can contribute his extensive expertise. With a strong background in technology, operations, and business growth, Robert is a valuable asset for organizations looking for experienced leadership and strategic insight.

Spiro Floropoulos is a highly accomplished Senior Programmer and Software Architect with a relentless passion for technology and innovation. With a career spanning over a decade, he has played a pivotal role in designing and implementing scalable, high-performance software solutions across startups and enterprise environments. His expertise in PHP, Laravel, MySQL, JavaScript, HTMX, and cloud-based technologies has enabled him to lead teams, optimize complex architectures, and drive business growth through strategic technical decisions. A hands-on leader and problem-solver, Spiro has not only built mission-critical systems but also streamlined development processes, reduced operational costs, and fostered cross-functional collaboration. His ability to seamlessly translate business needs into robust technical solutions makes him an invaluable asset in the ever-evolving landscape of software development.

Patrick C. Thompson is a seasoned IT and telecommunications executive with over four decades of experience driving innovation, efficiency, and cost-effective solutions in higher education. Throughout his tenure at Columbia University, he played a pivotal role in managing enterprise-wide IT services, implementing advanced telecommunications systems, and optimizing billing operations. With expertise in VoIP deployment, financial oversight, and strategic vendor management, Patrick has been instrumental in aligning technology resources with institutional needs. Holding an M.P.A. from Columbia University and a B.B.A. from Baruch College, his career reflects a deep commitment to technological advancement and operational excellence.

With over 39 years of experience, including 36 as President of Tritek Solutions, Inc., Donald J. Miller has established himself as a dynamic and results-driven leader in the electronics and technology sectors. Renowned for his expertise in engineering, business development, and strategic planning, Donald has successfully guided Tritek to become a trusted partner for leading manufacturers in embedded systems, RF/microwave components, and photonics. His commitment to fostering innovation and building lasting relationships has solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. Now, as he explores board service opportunities, Donald is eager to leverage his vast experience and leadership acumen to contribute to organizational growth and success.

Bill Kinneman is a dynamic leader in data analytics, business intelligence, and strategic insights, with a proven track record of transforming complex data into actionable strategies that drive business growth. With extensive experience spanning startups and corporate enterprises, he has led high-performing teams at industry leaders such as Hearst Newspapers, Flipboard, and Spring Inc. His expertise in data-driven decision-making, business strategy, and technological innovation has played a crucial role in enhancing operational efficiencies and shaping the strategic direction of multiple organizations. A visionary in the analytics space, Bill is dedicated to leveraging data to foster innovation, streamline operations, and deliver meaningful business outcomes.

Scott Green is a seasoned executive with over four decades of experience in IT services and strategic business development. Renowned for his expertise in scaling businesses, market strategy, and leveraging disruptive technologies, Scott has led transformative initiatives across Australasia and North America. From driving the expansion of startups to steering large-scale operations as an executive director at Datacom, his leadership has consistently delivered innovative solutions and sustained growth. A passionate advocate for governance and community engagement, Scott continues to leverage his extensive experience to contribute to organizations seeking strategic insight and operational excellence.

Brad Holtz is a seasoned executive with over 40 years of experience in the engineering software industry. As President and CEO of Cyon Research, he is a trusted analyst and thought leader, offering strategic insights into CAD, CAE, PLM, BIM, and IPD technologies. Holtz’s expertise helps guide major corporations, investors, and legal entities in navigating the evolving software landscape. He is the driving force behind key industry initiatives, including the COFES conference, the DaS Symposium, and the Green Keystone Alliance, focusing on innovation and sustainability in design and manufacturing. Holtz’s leadership and foresight have made him a leading voice in shaping the future of engineering software.