Dave Parker, a veteran entrepreneur and startup advisor, has been appointed as the new CEO of global networking group Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). With nearly three decades of experience in startups as a founder, investor, and mentor for various companies, Parker’s leadership comes at a pivotal time for EO. The organization, founded in 1987, currently has nearly 19,000 members across 83 countries and 222 chapters, aiming to connect founders and business owners at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
Parker’s appointment as CEO of EO comes with a vision to expand the organization’s membership base to over 35,000 people within the next few years. His extensive background in the startup ecosystem, including leadership roles at Startup Weekend and Code Fellows, as well as heading the Founder Cohort program for the Washington Technology Industry Association, has prepared him for this new role. Despite the global scope of EO, Parker will continue to be based in the Seattle area, where he has been actively involved in the startup community.
In addition to Parker’s appointment, several other key personnel changes have been taking place across the Pacific Northwest startup ecosystem. Nathan Rader, formerly with Google, has been named as the chief revenue officer at Seattle technical recruiting startup Karat. Kelly Fukai, who previously worked at Spokane International Airport and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, has joined the WTIA as chief operating officer. Dr. Jie D’Elia, formerly a senior vice president at Bristol Myers Squibb, has been appointed as the CEO of Seattle-area biotech company SystImmune.
Steve Buckley, a prominent figure in the Seattle-area manufacturing industry, has taken on the role of senior vice president of instrumentation at geological and mining startup GeologicAI. Shashi Jain, a tech industry veteran with over two decades of experience at Intel, has been named as a partner at Portland Seed Fund. Additionally, Erik Moore, the chief information officer at DevilDog Cybersecurity, has been hired as the program director for a new cybersecurity master’s program at Seattle University.
These recent personnel changes reflect the dynamic and evolving nature of the Pacific Northwest startup ecosystem, with seasoned industry leaders taking on new roles and bringing their expertise to a variety of organizations. As the region continues to be a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, these appointments signify the potential for growth and collaboration within the startup community. With leaders like Dave Parker at the helm of organizations like Entrepreneurs’ Organization, the future looks bright for startups and business owners in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
