Online Resume – Last updated Jan 2008

(This resume being here does not necessarily mean I am actively looking)

Marcio Saito

Technology/Business Strategy

Ideal position is strategic leadership in an organization moved primarily by a vision and communication, not operational excellence and processes.

I identify technology and market patterns, synthesize a vision, and then lead towards that vision. My proven strength is the ability to effectively balance visionary thinking and pragmatism. I don't overestimate impact of new technologies, but don't ignore them either.

I have effectively managed large organizations, but I add more value as a strategist leader than as an operations manager.

Starting in 1986, I’ve worked in areas encompassing IT Infrastructure, Network Magement, Application Development, and Operating Systems.

My academic background is in Electrical Engineering (University of Sao Paulo, 1988), Product and Project Management (University of California, 1994). My experience covers all processes from R&D to product manageement to marketing to business strategy and development.

Products and technologies I have designed, managed or marketed in the past: data communication software, computer graphics, PC adapters, network protocols, embedded systems, operating systems and BIOS, network routers, network and security gateways, data center management appliances, IT infrastructure management software.

Qualifications:

Technology and Business Strategy executive
Technology evangelist
Product Development leader
Operating Systems, Network Management, Embedded Systems, and Open Source expert

Relevant Experience:

Led and managed distributed global organizations up to 100 people and budgets up to $10M/year
Formulated and executed technology strategy for a successful technology company over a decade
Represented the company in relationships with press, analyst, technical standards, and investor communities, 9+ years
Extensive experience in all R&D functions, including hardware, firmware and application software, 20+ years
Pioneered commercial Linux/Open Source software development in 1993
Hands-on experience in all Marketing functions (product marketing/management, communications), 10+ years
Negotiated dozens of OEM, partnership, and technology licensing contracts both as buyer and seller
Published dozens of technical articles, white papers and educational materials
Developed and supported business relationships in the networking industry, with extensive international experience
Spoke at technical and business conferences (200+ hours) and taught undergraduate college classes (4 semesters)
Dealt extensively with software licensing, copyright and patent law, wrote two patent applications
Successfully led company integration following acquisition by a larger organization
Developed business plan for an organization generating $500M/year in revenues
Incubated development teams, implementing start-up culture within a large organization

Skills/Strengths:

Leadership by ideas
Strategic thinking, proven trend identification skills
Strong technology and business background
Extensive international experience
Excellent writing skills, both technical and non-technical materials
Seasoned public speaker

Employment History:

2006-present: Avocent Corporation, Vice President, Strategy
1992-2006: Cyclades Corporation, Chief Technology Officer
1991-1992: Cyclades Brazil, Software Engineer
1991-1992: University of Guarulhos, Operating Systems Professor
1989-1991: Itautec Informatica, Software Engineer
1987-1998: LSI, University of Sao Paulo, Research Assistant

Career History:

I am currently employed by Avocent Corporation (Nasdaq: AVCT) as Vice-president, Strategy. Most of my professional experience is connected to Cyclades Corporation, where I worked for 15 years.

My career started in Brazil as a research assistant at University of Sao Paulo during my last 3 years as undergraduate student. There, I implemented software computer graphics and researched high-performance processor architectures.

After graduating, I worked as a software designer for 3 years for Itautec Informatica, the largest Brazilian computer company at the time. There, I participated in a large project to implement a complete UNIX System (SOX), and individually proposed and implemented a terminal emulation solution that was embedded in thousands of PC computers and became a commercial software product.

In the early 90’s I worked at Cyclades Brazil, where I designed, implemented, and maintained communication firmware and device drivers for UNIX and Windows Operating Systems. During that period I also taught undergraduate college classes in Operating Systems at University of Guarulhos.

I relocated to the US in 1992 to help the two founders start Cyclades Corporation as a company designing and marketing communication cards for UNIX servers. Our breakthrough came in 94, when we helped pioneer commercial development of Linux. Cyclades grew steadily, private and self-funded, became a networking company and went on to create the “out-of-band management” space and be a player in IT infrastructure management.

During that period, I was a significant leader of the company’s technology and marketing strategies. I was an active industry evangelist promoting the benefits of a community-based development model, and contributing to the early growth of Linux. We also applied that model combined with proprietary development to create a viable business. Ten years later, by 2003, all of the players in the IT infrastructure management market had followed our steps and adopted Linux as an embedded platform.

Cyclades had 350 employees worldwide and about $60M a year in revenues when it was acquired by Avocent Corporation in March of 2006. The two Cyclades founders left immediately after the acquisition. I stayed with Avocent and played a significant role in the integration of the two companies, which has been highly successful by every measure (product and organizational integration was completed before the end of 2006 with high levels of key employee and customer retention and financial results surpassing acquisition targets).

I currently serve Avocent reporting to the Management System Division general manager and leading a both on technology/business strategy definition and a product development team. Avocent is a publicly traded company (AVCT). We design, manufacture and market systems of IT infrastructure management.

Back to Marcio's Home Page