We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to GeekWire since our launch in early March. But there’s been one key ingredient missing: a top-notch business leader. Today, we’re filling that role. We are thrilled to announce that Rebecca Lovell is joining GeekWire as Chief Business Officer. Many in the Seattle technology community already know Rebecca from her work as executive director of the Northwest Entrepreneur Network, and past roles at the Alliance of Angels and Preston Gates and Ellis.
But, for those who’ve yet to bump into her at one of Seattle’s many tech-related events, let me explain why we are so excited to have her join our team.
She’s wicked-smart, hard working and deeply connected in the tech community. She’s also a Seattle gal. And a lifelong geek — a former “mathlete” and valedictorian at Garfield High School who earned her MBA from the University of Washington in 2006.
But she’s no wall flower. Lovell has been known to light up local karaoke joints with her stirring renditions of Aretha Franklin songs, and has an amazing knack for pub trivia.
In other words, she’s a lot of fun. And, while we are building a new type of online media company here at GeekWire, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. (I can already see a GeekWire karaoke night in our future).
In her new role, Rebecca will oversee advertising and sponsorship initiatives. She also will help organize and run GeekWire events, including an upcoming launch party. She’ll represent GeekWire at other local events as one of the public faces of the site, and help me, Todd Bishop and Jonathan Sposato develop creative new ways for GeekWire to better serve the Pacific Northwest technology community.
As an added bonus, she will also offer GeekWire readers her own insights on the tech startup scene through an occasional column called Lovell Letters (and her new Twitter handle, @lovelletters).
“I am super passionate about the Seattle community, and I am a huge cheerleader for everything this region can do, and this is the perfect platform for that,” she says.
We’re delighted that she’s bringing that passion to GeekWire.
As many of you already know, startups are all about wearing multiple hats. And this is one of the big reasons why we are so excited to have someone like Rebecca on board. Her energy is infectious, and we can think of no better person to pump us up when times are tough or celebrate the wins when things are humming.
Adds Shannon Swift, the NWEN board chair: “Congratulations to the GeekWire team for a BRILLIANT addition! And, a huge thank you to Rebecca for all she’s done for NWEN over the past 27 months. We look forward to our continued relationship with her, and working with GeekWire to promote innovation in our region.”
I had no intention of hiring Rebecca when we met for a beer at the Streamline Tavern a few weeks ago. Really, we just wanted to catch up.
But as the conversation turned to GeekWire and I explained the qualities of the person we were looking for, I had one of the more amazing “a-ha” moments in my life. The serendipitous way in which the conversation unfolded makes us feel even better about what’s in store.
Rebecca plans to continue with the Northwest Entrepreneur Network part-time during a transition phase, working with the organization’s board to find a replacement. She’ll also strengthen the bond between GeekWire and NWEN, a partnership with enormous potential given that our missions are so closely aligned.
Please join us in welcoming Rebecca to team GeekWire. You can reach her at rebecca@geekwire.com.
