Our Board
Bruce Frydenlund
President and CEO
Frydenlund is the founder of Encounter and has been instrumental in the development and success of four previous high tech companies: Alpine Data Systems, Apogee 2000, Envoy Global and Envoy Icon. These companies shared a common goal, to enable dispersed communities to share mission-critical information. Encounter Collaborative builds upon Frydenlund's experience and contacts in the collaboration market space to create an environment that places a premium on customer service.
Dennis Finnigan
Chairman of the Board Emeritus
Dennis Finnigan has been associated with the Information Technology and communications industry for more than 50 years, 27 of them at SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute). At SRI, he led research teams to identify the world's first online, communications-based computer systems, telephone technology (packet switching), computer languages, input/output devices and techniques (MICR/scanners). He was also involved with the first email systems and what was then known as ARPANET, the precursor to today's Internet.
Finnigan co-founded the first voice mail service company in the country Voicemail International (VMI), as well as Voicemail Scandinavia and Voicemail Northwest which subsequently became Envoy Global. He spearheaded the establishment of Apogee 2000 (now worldvoice.com), to develop systems that could provide interoperability between dissimilar voicemail platforms.
From 1980 to 1996, Finnigan served as a consultant to major global corporations. He continues to serve on advisory boards for a number of former clients
Ian Widger
Ian Widger is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur and innovator. Prior to joining Encounter as Board member and technology advisor, Widger was AccessLine's chief executive. At AccessLine Widger repositioned the company, restructured its balance sheet and capital structure and attracted a success-oriented management team. He continues to serve on AccessLine's Board of Directors.
Prior to Encounter and AccessLine, Widger identified IP telephony as an emerging area and formed the first of two companies to address and leverage the Internet. The first, Networks Telephony Corporation, a spin-off of Infonet Services Corporation, was only the second company to launch VoIP globally. Subsequently he co-founded Enhanced Communications and Telephone to develop networking strategies and protocols as well as a call routing software currently distributed by Costco and incorporated within AccessLine's core systems.
Widger's expertise in telecommunications was gained over the previous fifteen years with companies ranging from Infonet Services Corporation to Sprint and Plessy Communications, Ltd., one of the two UK telecommunication giants. Among Widger's prior senior management responsibilities were serving as Sprint's Managing Director for Northern Europe, Infonet's Executive Vice President of Marketing and Global Strategies and Chairman of the Board of Infonet Software Solutions.
Mark Reed
Vice Chairman
Mark Reed brings more than 20 years of high technology management and consulting experience to Encounter's Board of Directors. Previously, Reed served as Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Services for InFocus Systems and as CEO of that company's first acquisition.
Beginning his consulting business, High Ground Partners LLC, in 1997, Reed has advised technology and services companies in the Pacific Northwest. He has served in the capacity of CEO, President and Senior Vice President for companies including EnvoyGlobal.com, Lightware, CORD Communications, WebTrends, and @Once. Reed is known for his marketing and sales expertise and leadership, and is retained by companies to coach and mentor young leaders. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of @Once.
Edwin Hopper
Director
Ed Hopper has been involved in the telecommunication industry since 1960. He began his career as a certified professional accountant (CPA) specializing in telephone and other regulated utilities. In 1968, Hopper began a twelve year career in the cable television industry. This included co-founding a cable television company, raising tens of millions of dollars in financing for the construction of major market cable systems and satellite receiving stations. He then served as a consultant to HBO during the launch of its satellite television services.
In 1981, Hopper co-founded McCaw Cellular Communications. Eventually McCaw became the largest cellular company in the U.S. Upon its sale to AT&T, McCaw was valued at $12 billion.
After retiring from McCaw in 1988, Hopper has been an investor and board member for several communications technology companies.
Lawrence Evans
Attorney, Director
Larry Evans has been a practicing attorney for more than 25 years, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, business and financial transactions. He has acted as lead counsel for both buyers and sellers of businesses in industries ranging from software, telecommunications and manufacturing to automotive, service providers and professional services. Evans has also acted as borrower's counsel with respect to both traditional and complex financing.
