Who
About Randall Howard:
Now an investor and active in the social sector, I started my career as a technologist building innovative products, moving on to building innovative companies based on technology. The common theme is a passion for working with great people to harness the power of technology to transform. Today, applying many of the same technologically-driven entrepreneurial approaches to the social sector holds exciting promise.
Right now, I’m a partner and co-founder at VERDEXUS, a transatlantic boutique fusing a network of serial technology entrepreneurs with investment in a proactive and hands on methodology to build world leading, high growth technology organizations. I serve as “hands-on” Chairman at recent VERDEXUS portfolio investment, iotum. As well, I am CEO of Middlebrook Corporation.
From its May 2004 acquisition to April 2006, I was CEO of VERDEXUS portfolio company, Software Innovation, where I continue to serve on the board of directors.
In 1984, I co-founded MKS (TSX: MKX) one of Canada’s leading enterprise software vendors and whose products optimize internal software development within large corporations. As Chairman and CEO I led growth to over $40 million revenue and 375 employees worldwide, including seven acquisitions.
I also am a board member and advisor, having worked with many technology firms including Necho Systems Corp (acquired by Cybershift), GoodContacts (acquired by Reunion), Whitehill Technologies (acquired by Skywire Software), Waterloo Maple Software, Arise Technologies and Nanodesign (acquired by SignalGene).
In the social sector, my focus has and continues to be in the areas of the arts, the environment and entrepreneurship. I’m currently Chair and co-founder of Elora Centre for Environmental Excellence, board member and Treasurer of Roseneath Theatre, and member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the Laurier School of Business and Economics and recently incorporated Flushink Productions (watch this space). Over the years, I’ve served on boards of Communitech, which I helped to found, and Elora Festival and Singers.
I hold an Honors B.Math from University of Waterloo and was the 1997 High Technology Entrepreneur of the Year and the 2005 recipient of the Impact Award from Communitech.
The Why page gives more information on why I’m blogging.
