Board of Directors

The NetBooks board of directors is composed of highly successful entrepreneurs with experience growing and running firms that serve the small business market.

Ridgely EversFounder and CEO Ridgely got his first computer in 1967 and started his first business in the early 1970s. In 1988 he joined Intuit, where he was responsible for the creation of QuickBooks, and later instrumental in creating their online banking system. Since Intuit he has been CEO of several technology startups, including Exactly Vertical, a pioneer in supply-chain automation for small business, and nCircle, one of the leading companies in internet network security. In 1990 he founded DaVero Sonoma, which he and his wife Colleen McGlynn have built into a premier producer of extra virgin olive oils, wines, and other artisan food products. In 2003, Ridgely began development of NetBooks. He earned a BA, with distinction, in International Relations from Stanford University, and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Tom Proulx As co-founder of Intuit and author of Quicken®, Tom is a true pioneer in the software industry. He has been a director on the boards of numerous technology startup companies, including UpShot, recently acquired by Siebel Systems, and NextSet Software, recently acquired by IT&e Limited, a publicly listed Australian company. He is currently chairman of Netpulse and serves on the boards of iControl and PlumChoice. Tom is a 1992 recipient of the Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Tom holds a BS in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science from Stanford University.

Jim Watson – CMEA Ventures Honored by Inc. Magazine in 1993 as an Entrepreneur of the Year, Jim founded Skyway Systems, a high technology logistics company that was acquired by Union Pacific Corporation. Prior to Skyway, Mr. Watson worked with IBM, designing and marketing computer systems for all phases of business. Jim joined CMEA Ventures as Managing Director in 2001 to focus on technology investments. Prior to CMEA, Jim was consultant to several professional services firms and venture capital partnerships in the areas of strategic planning and partnering, board development, and supply chain management. Jim also co-founded Monterey Bay Partners, a venture management firm specializing in high technology start-ups. Jim graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Janine Popick Janine is the CEO and Founder of VerticalResponse®, a leading self-service direct marketing provider with over 20,000 small business customers. Janine brings over 17 years of experience leading direct and Internet marketing programs for some of the biggest brands in technology and entertainment. Janine built NBCi Direct, the direct marketing division of NBC Internet, where she served as the Vice President and General Manager. Janine also served as VP of Direct Marketing and E-commerce at XOOM.com the 12th most-trafficked website and was an officer of the public company. Prior to XOOM, Janine managed Direct Marketing at Claris Corp., Insignia Solutions, and Symantec Corporation. Janine holds a Bachelor's degree from Hofstra University in Communications and English.