Steve Jackson

Member at Alliance of Angels

Board Member
2014 - Current
Workinman is an entertainment based content creation company that specializes in creating games and applications for the youth market. The company has a talented crew of thinkers, designers, illustrators, animators and developers that focus their effort and skill to create unique and entertaining games for clients.Workinman has grown over the past eight years by concentrating on what they do best: games! the team consists of a talented group of gamers, artists, developers and musicians. When you love what you do, it never feels like work, and that’s why they are so good at it.

Member
2014
AoA is the largest and most active angel group in the Pacific Northwest. Each year, AoA invests $10M+ into 20+ companies. Since 1997, AoA has invested $100M+ into 200+ companies and celebrated 40+ exits generating more than a billion dollars of returns. The network of 140+ active angel investors is further augmented by a $6.6M seed fund.

Managing Partner (Retired)
2015 - 2019
Parker Remick is a retained executive search firm focused on Consumer Products and Technology. We provide research, insights, and guidance to drive sound hiring decisions. Our experience includes successful assignments in the US and 23 other countries. As Managing Partner, I directed the overall operations and strategy of the firm and worked in close collaboration with our employees and other Partners to lead the development, and implementation of Parker Remick’s long-term growth and market strategy. I am proud of the accomplishments our team made during my tenure at the firm. Together we achieved revenue growth of over 225%, EBIT Growth of 700% and substantial increases in operating cash flow. We expanded every area of the business with the addition of two new offices, increased the skills and capabilities in both our analyst teams and consultant leadership. Today Parker Remick is stronger than ever with a diverse revenue stream and a scalable infrastructure capable of taking the firm to the next level. Above all else, one of our most significant accomplishments was being named one of Washington's 100 best companies to work for. Select Clients Include: Amazon Google Pinterest Red Hat Square Twitter a16z ....and more.

CEO & Board Member
2005 - 2014
Smashing Ideas (SI) is an 85-person digital company known for creating highly engaging experiences. SI's Motivational Design Methodology for mobile application, web, and digital innovation planning looks holistically at a customer's experience from their point of view - allowing the company to unearth insights and opportunities others don't see. Recruited to drive the company to the next level of growth, helping the organization adapt to the changing marketplace and drive a successful exit strategy. Representative Results & Achievements: • Expanded headcount in key roles and recruited an outside Board • Successfully grew corporate revenues over 300% before the sale in 2011 • Maintained less than 7% employee turnover rate despite pressure from larger competitors • Expanded the company into new distribution platforms, strategic services, and technologies • Acquired a mobile development company in the UK • Developed multiple "Top 10" apps for Mattel, Random House, Nickelodeon, and Sony • Positioned SI's methodology as a leading voice in digital customer experience • Received over 50 awards • Sold company in 2011 to Bertelsmann / Random House at a favorable multiple This sale included a three-year continuation in the CEO role to ensure a steady, successful transition to the new ownership group.

Entrepreneur In-Residence
2003 - 2004
Ignition Partners is an early stage, business software venture capital firm with unparalleled connections in Silicon Valley and Seattle. Conducted due diligence on prospective investments, incubating selected firms via an EIR role that involved working directly with corporate founders and advising them on business plan development, competitive positioning, and go-to-market strategy

President & CEO / Board Member
2000 - 2001
Prior to its acquisition by Google, Applied Semantics developed software applications for the online advertising, domain name, and enterprise information management markets. Recruited to work closely with the company’s founders and Board to transition the company from a research - centric software developer into a product - centric company while managing the Series A investment reserves. Representative Results & Achievements: • Repositioned company (formerly Oingo) to better reflect value proposition and maturity level • 45 days of arrival, closed a 7-figure deal with VeriSign • Reorganized the management team and reporting structure to align with future growth objectives • Transformed the corporate culture from R&D focus to sales & marketing • Central role in conceiving/branding DomainPark, DomainSense and patented CIRCA Technology • Contributions ended up playing vital role in company's $100M acquisition by Google in 2003

Senior Vice President / General Manager
1998 - 2000
iXL was a leading Internet services company which provided online strategy consulting and comprehensive web solutions to a Fortune 1000 client base. iXL acquired my company (Spin Cycle Entertainment) to expand its capabilities within the global media marketplace and assist the company in growing revenues in anticipation of an IPO. Representative Results & Achievements: • Launched the Global Media & Entertainment Division and grew it 5x to $15M within 18 months • Division became major profit center, achieving the second-highest EBIT margin company-wide • Helped scale company through aggressive growth phrase 500 to >2500 employees • Adapted the media and entertainment offering to take advantage of iXL’s 38 acquisitions • Managed the VP-level leadership teams in Music, Publishing & Entertainment, worldwide • Built blue-chip client roster that included Universal Studios, Financial Times, News Corp, Scripps Howard, Time Warner, Washington Post, NPR, Reed Elsevier, Hot Topic, Warehouse Records, Universal Records and DreamWorks • Company went public in 1999, reaching a market capitalization rate of $3.5B

Founder & CEO / Chairman
1995 - 1998
Launched one of the first digital media studios in California, building the company from scratch to a successful exit within a three-year time frame. • Landed flagship accounts with Microsoft, Kawasaki, Disney, Warner Brothers, Fox and others • Created and operated (as a gross revenue participant) Universal Studios online ticketing system • Developed the first major online game for Universal and the first use of streaming audio • Developed the initial online presence for multiple Fortune 500 clients • Successfully sold the company to iXL Enterprises in 1998