Resume - John E. DeFeo

Entrepreneurial executive/pioneer with success in improving performance and customer satisfaction to turn around struggling operations. Diverse industry exposure in wireless communications (U S West/GE), venture capital, business consulting, and medical devices. Established companies, revamped organizations, developed global partnerships and structured and negotiated M&A and divestitures. Raised $1.7B+ in private, venture, and public equity markets.

• Led U S West NewVector Group's IPO at $1B valuation with $9B valuation when sold to AirTouch.
• Started Incepta Ventures and raised $500M to develop telecom companies with Bechtel Ventures.
• Turned around Zones after a rapid decline following IPO, lowering operating run-rate costs 30%.

Key Skills

Transformational agent, skilled in team alignment. Mentoring/coaching executives to improve company performance. Developing comprehensive business plans to drive companies from startup to IPO or next development stage. Designing marketing, customer care, and product/business development initiatives to generate growth.

BBA in Business Administration and AT in Electrical Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Executive Seminars - Wharton School of Business, Harvard University, and GE. Member of numerous business, industry, and trade boards.

Highlighted Accomplishments

Grew U S West NewVector from startup to profitability with $1B valuation at IPO and $9B valuation at the sale to AirTouch for an 8.5-fold return to investors. Co-founded nationwide wireless telecom company, leading first successful IPO after the stock market crash. Negotiated with four top investment banks to offer stock to domestic/international markets. Completed road shows in Europe and U.S. Sold 19% of the company at record-high IPO market cap for the time.

Started Incepta Ventures, raising $500M to develop telecom companies with Bechtel Ventures. Established VC firm, with $200M committed, to develop telecom companies in North America and European Union for Bechtel. Closed two additional investors, GE and Swiss-RE, for $300M commitment in Fund II. Hired executive team. Opened headquarters in Seattle and branch in London. Developed control systems and processes. Finalized seven investments.

Turned around Zones after a rapid decline following IPO, lowering operating run-rate costs 30%. The company was rapidly running out of cash five months after successful IPO. Conducted analysis of all company operations. Developed and presented a turnaround plan to Board. Reorganized company and rebuilt the senior management team. Installed TQM, creating effective management processes. Opened new Internet store and set up outbound telesales.

Career Summary

Founder/President, John E. DeFeo Venture Advisors, LLC, 1996 - Present

Clients include Bechtel, The Blackstone Group, Collins Radio, Elgin DDB, EON, Fluor Daniels, Innovation, Multiple Zones, Qualcomm and OneNet Washington.

President/CEO/Chairman, CoCo Communications Corp., 2007 - 2014

Led development and marketing of advanced wireless networking software for DoD, public safety, and commercial customers.

Co-Founder/President/CEO, Incepta Ventures, 1998-2002

Raised funds to develop/invest in early and mid-stage telecom companies engaged in local exchange, mobile and fixed wireless broadband, fiber and enhanced services.

President/CEO, Zones, 1997-1998

Recruited to turn around $500M Internet and computer/software direct marketing company. Built can-do management culture. Refocused cash usage. Opened new returns goods warehouse.

President/CEO/COB/Co-Founder, U.S. AirWaves, Inc., 1995-1996

Directed preparation to build/operate national Personal Communications Service (PCS) network. Raised $240M in VC funding. Made largest up-front deposit of $81M for FCC C-Band auction. Returned 97% of committed capital as auction prices reached non-economic levels.

President/CEO/CMO, U S West NewVector Group, 1983-1994

Directed strategy/operations for cellular & paging company with 3,000+ employees and $1B revenues. Facilitated repurchase of NewVector public shares at $2B+ valuation. Led structuring of AirTouch-NewVector merger. Facilitated sale of U S WEST Paging. U S West - Received three U S West Chairman's Achievement Awards.

President/CEO, U S WEST Spectrum Enterprises, International wireless subsidiary., 1990-1991

Opened Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Russia, and UK. VP Sales & Marketing/President of NewVector Retail/Founding Officer, U S WEST NewVector, Inc., 1983-1986. Earlier: General Electric Company: Marketing Programs Manager, Mobile Communications Division; Program GM, Medical Systems; Marketing Manager, Nuclear Diagnostics; and Product Manager Abbott Diagnostics 1974-1976.