Doug Cole has been in the high technology and clean tech industries as an active and successful entrepreneur since 1977, having founded or co-founded over seven different companies.
Doug has been a professional board member Chairman, CEO, President, VP of Sales, investor, mentor and consultant since 1980.
As a partner with Objective Equity LLC (a boutique investment bank focused on the clean tech, mining and mineral sectors) Doug continues to oversee all ongoing deal activities.
He also devotes time to mentoring early‐stage technology companies and is very active with the University of California, Berkeley.
Career Chronology
From September 2006, Doug has worked with Objective Equity LLC a boutique Investment Bank based in New York, where focuses his time on initial financing, corporate structure and M&A.
From February 2003 to February 2006 Doug served as the Executive Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of TWL Corporation (TWLP.OB) now based in Carrollton, Texas. TWL was a leading provider of integrated learning solutions for compliance, safety, emergency preparedness, continuing education and skill development in the workplace. During the initial phase Doug acquired similar companies in Australia, Norway, South Africa and the US. He acquired Primedia Workplace Learning from KKR in 2005. Since 1986, TWL Knowledge Group (formally Primedia) has met the training and education needs of more than eight million professionals in the industrial, healthcare, fire and emergency, government, law enforcement and private security markets. The company produces and delivers education and workplace skills training content to organizations via global satellite television, the Internet and traditional media such as DVD, CD‐ROM and PC‐based, quasi virtual reality simulation platform.
From May 2000 to September 2005, Doug and his wife Corinne ran the Lair of the Bear, The University of California Family Camp located in Pinecrest, California. This is one of the nation’s premiere family camps where 10,000 people enjoy the mountains and reconnecting with friends for a week each summer. The University of California, Berkeley Alumni Association is the largest University Alumni Association in the world.
From May 1996 Doug worked as an Interim CEO for a number of public companies including NetAmerica.Com, he led this company out of insolvency to a leading public company in the Telcom sector. Taking the stock from .01 cent to $46 per share in 1999. The company eventually became MCF Corporation a leading investment banking firm. During this time Doug specialized in micro cap public company organization and turnarounds.
In 1991 Doug founded Great Bear Technology, a multimedia software company. In 1992 Doug, founded Great Bear Technology, Bulgaria. This became one of the leading off shore software development firms with over 100 computer scientists in the company. The company developed and sold over 50 titles world wide, including Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. At the same time he founded HealthSoft Inc. During the period from 93‐96, Doug acquired Sony Image Soft and Starpress, went public and eventually sold to Graphix Zone. Doug was honored by NEA, a leading venture capital firm as CEO of the year for his work in the Starpress integration.
From 1984 through 1991 Doug was co‐founder, VP of Sales, President and CEO of Insight Development Corporation utility software company focusing on Network Printing. During his tenure he negotiated global OEM ,US and International distribution agreements with some of the world’s largest Corporations including, Hewlett Packard, Adobe, Microsoft, IBM/Lexmark, Epson, Canon, Intel, Texas Instruments, Okidata, and Toshiba to name a few.
Doug’s career started in 1977 in sales with Consolidated Data Terminals. Eighteen months later he joined a newly formed computer product distribution company - The David Jamison Carlyle Corporation (DJC). DJC's 1982 revenues reached $50 million. As the period's leading national reseller of computer peripherals and data communications equipment, DJC was listed on NASDAQ in 1981. At various times DJC was recognized as a member of the Inc. Magazine ";Inc. 100"; (the magazines first such listing), the California Business Magazine "Fastest Growing 100";, the Venture Magazine ";Fast‐ Track 100";, and The Executive Magazine ";50 Fastest Growing Companies in Los Angeles."; In 1983 a large public British firm acquired DJC and soon after took it private again. Doug worked with Lex PLC until 1984.
Information Technology and Clean Tech companies have benefited from Doug’s' knowledgeable advice. Jointly with the client, he analyzes the firm's position including: company infrastructure, competitive environment, products, existing and potential sales and distribution channels, personnel, etc. Next, all the specific issues are addressed with the development of appropriate procedures, techniques, programs, systems or strategies. Doug has truly evolved a number of unique methods for both developing and implementing these solutions.
Doug has been on the board of a number of other publicly listed technology firms as well including Great Bear Technologies, StarPress and NetAmerica.com, Trinity Learning and others.
Doug, born in 1955, is a native southern Californian from a family of nine, attended St. Mary’s College and the University of California at Berkeley where he received a BA in Social Science. During that time he played at the highest level of rugby in the US and continued to play until he was 44. Doug and his wife Corinne have been married for 30 years and have 3 children, Ryan 28, Casey 26 and Kelli 21. Doug and Corinne reside in Moraga and Tahoe City California, where they love to hike and ski. They have lived in Northern California since 1973.