Columbus Collaboratory Selects Wald as Chief Executive Officer

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - March 30, 2015) -  The Columbus Collaboratory Board of Managers announced today the appointment of Matt Wald as the new CEO.

"We are so incredibly fortunate to have Matt lead the Collaboratory," said Patty Morrison, search committee chairwoman. "It became clear during the search that he was the right fit with the vision and relationships to build a successful company."

Wald, who began his career as a software entrepreneur in college and systems analyst for the B-1 bomber program at Rockwell International, takes the reins of The Columbus Collaboratory which had been led by interim CEO Brad Ashbrook since it was formed in early 2014.

He comes to the organization as the former head of corporate development at a Silicon Valley-area cloud communications company, with strong ties to the region as a native of central Ohio, an Ohio State University engineering graduate, and an Ohio Tech Angel Fund investor and portfolio company board member.

Wald's career has been built on innovation and creating value from IT-based products and services for startups, mid-market, and multi-billion dollar companies. 

Among them were LCI International and cloud-based information services and analytics company Neustar, both of which launched successful initial public offerings. Wald also worked for Battelle, where he architected the growth of the Information Technology Solutions group and pursued advanced technologies in data analytics, cyber security, and information sharing. Wald's background includes completing numerous investment and acquisition transactions and driving corporate innovation and collaboration. He has built consulting businesses and led the commercial launch of several internet infrastructure and software-based services. 

"I'm proud of the progress the Collaboratory has made in advancing cyber and data analytics capabilities in the region," said Michael Keller, board chairman. "We are very fortunate to have someone of Matt's caliber to help us build on this momentum. I'm confident he will be extremely effective at helping us grow jobs in the region and provide substantial benefits to the equity members of the Collaboratory."

The Columbus Collaboratory is an advanced technology company that focuses on driving solutions in the areas of big data, analytics and cyber security. The Collaboratory will address common technology challenges to create solutions that transcend industries, enhance operational efficiencies and improve service for customers.

Founded in February 2014, the Collaboratory investors and participating organizations include American Electric Power, Battelle, Cardinal Health, Huntington Bank, L Brands, Nationwide and OhioHealth. The Columbus Collaboratory will build deep expertise in the emerging disciplines of advanced analytics and cyber security to help not only the competitiveness of individual companies, but the Columbus Region at large.

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