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  • Zimri Putney, Managing Director and CEO, has over thirty years of experience as a venture capitalist, investor, executive and scientist in technology companies. Mr. Putney is Chairman of San Diego-based RFP Express and a Director of ServiceBench, two Fund II portfolio companies. Until its recent acquisition by Nortel, he was a Director of PEC Solutions, Inc., where he served as Chairman of the Compensation Committee. Prior to forming NextGen in 1997, he was co-founder of the management consulting firm Putney & Eckstein, Inc., where he assisted technology CEO’s in areas of business and marketing strategy, quality management, and operations. For the company that is now BP Solar, one of the world’s leading photovoltaic companies, he headed research and development, and marketing in over 70 countries. For nearly ten years he served as an award-winning scientist, inventor, and technology manager for IBM. Mr. Putney earned a BS degree in Physics from Syracuse University and an Sc.M. from Brown University.
  • Carlyle Eckstein, Managing Director, has over thirty years of experience as a venture capitalist, consultant and the owner of two software firms. As co-founder of Putney & Eckstein, Inc., his focus was mergers and acquisitions, and strategic management. As a principal with Arthur Young, a consultant at Price Waterhouse, and a systems engineer at IBM, Carl helped re-engineer businesses to leverage emerging information technology. His software businesses were engaged in GIS and information technology consulting. Mr. Eckstein earned a BS in microbiology from Ohio State University.
  • Stefan Strein, Managing Director, has over ten years experience as a venture capitalist, working and financing seed and early stage technology companies in the mid-Atlantic region. Prior to joining NextGen, Stefan was Director of Licensing at National Audubon Society where he was responsible for marketing and developing new licensed products and services partnerships. Prior to Audubon, he was an Associate and Partner at Triad Investors Corporation. At Triad, he was responsible for investments in both seed/early stage venture capital and university license partners. Mr. Strein has an MS in finance and international business from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in liberal arts and business management from Washington College.

Executive Advisors

  • Daniel R. Bannister Dan assists NextGen with capital formation and operations management of the two funds. He began his career with DynCorp in 1953 as an Electronics Technician assigned to the company's Field Services Division. In February, 1997 he was named the company's Chairman of the Board having served as president and chief executive officer for the previous 12 years. Headquartered in Reston, Va., DynCorp is a leading technology solutions firm, providing information technology, engineering, management, and technical support services to clients in government and industry worldwide.

  • Alvin Nashman Al was the President of the Systems Group of Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) for 27 years. Under his leadership this multi-division organization experienced continued growth to FY 1992 with revenues in excess of 1.1 billion dollars. For his pioneering work and professional achievements he has been recognized as the unofficial Dean of the Systems Integration Community.

  • John J. (Jack) Pendray Most recently, Jack spent three years as the Executive in Residence and Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of Management of the University of Western Australia, teaching e-commerce and information management. Previously, he was at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia, where he spent two years as Executive in Residence and Visiting Professor of Management in graduate business programs. Prior to George Mason, he spent over thirty years in the computer systems, software, and telecommunications industries, most recently as President of the International Group of Cincinnati Bell Information Systems, now part of Convergys. Jack spent twelve years in executive positions of various subsidiaries of Alcatel, and eight years as a founding partner of Vanguard Atlantic, Ltd., an investment/merchant banking firm specializing in software and telecommunications companies. He co-authored a book entitled Strategic Development for High Technology Businesses, and holds a B.S. in Engineering Sciences from the University of Florida and an M.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University.



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