board of directors
John Federman
President and CEO, Searchandise Commerce
As president and chief executive officer, John Federman is responsible for Searchandise Commerce’s strategic direction, growth and corporate vision. Mr. Federman brings more than 20 years of experience with innovative information technology and media companies to Searchandise Commerce.
Prior to Searchandise Commerce, Mr. Federman was the CEO of eStara, the leading provider of proactive conversion solutions for enhancing
eCommerce. After growing topline revenue four-fold, eStara was acquired by Art Technology Group (ATG) in 2006. As co-founder, president and CEO of Dotomi, an Internet advertising company, he was responsible for its successful rollout in the United States. As president and CEO of AdSmart, a CMGI company, he grew the company tenfold and orchestrated its sale to Engage. Following AdSmart, he
joined Newmediary as CEO, and sold that company to CNet Networks. Mr. Federman's career began at Ziff Davis Publishing, where he held a number of positions culminating as Publisher of PC Week, the world's Number One trade journal.
Sarah Fay
Former CEO, Aegis Media North America
A 20-year veteran of the media services business, Sarah began her career in traditional media sales. She joined Carat in 1998 as Managing Director of Carat Business and Technology, and later launched Carat Interactive in 2001, building the agency into one of the top full service digital marketing agencies by 2003. Sarah later served as President of Isobar U.S., creating a formidable network of award-winning agencies. In 2007, she was named CEO of both Carat and Isobar U.S. In 2008, she was named CEO of Aegis Media North America, where she oversaw the operations of all the Aegis Media operating units in the US and Canada until recently.
Ross Goldstein
Co-founder and Managing Director, DFJ Gotham Partners
Ross H. Goldstein is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson Gotham Ventures, an early-stage IT venture capital fund based in New York City. Mr. Goldstein has worked extensively with technology, communications and media companies in his career as a venture capitalist, start-up operator and investment banker. Mr. Goldstein is DFJ Gotham's representative on the board of DFJ Gotham portfolio companies Mimeo.com, Lumeta, ContextWeb, IZEA, Drop.io, Medialets and Altruik.
Prior to co-founding DFJ Gotham Ventures, Mr. Goldstein was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Interactive Imaginations, Inc., one of New York’s pioneering Internet companies, and the predecessor company to 24/7 Media, Inc. which was ultimately acquired by WPP Group. Prior to Interactive Imaginations, Mr. Goldstein was a senior banker with Morgan Stanley, where he was responsible for IPO’s and other equity financings for the firm's technology, telecommunications and media clients.
Mr. Goldstein also serves on the Board of Directors of New York Cares, a non-profit volunteer organization based in New York City, and on the Board of Advisors of Catchafire, a start-up that provides web-based matching of skilled volunteers with non-profit organizations. Mr. Goldstein received a B.S. in Applied Mathematics-Economics, magna cum laude, from Brown University and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Burton McGillivray
President, Cloquet Capital Partners LLC
Mr. McGillivray is the President of Cloquet Capital Partners LLC, a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on high-growth companies led by exceptional management teams. Cloquet’s primary investment focus is on middle market management buyouts, communication software companies and special situations (e.g. family-owned businesses, recapitalizations, growth equity opportunities).
Mr. McGillivray has spent over 20 years as a private equity investor, previously with Continental Illinois Venture Corp, Carlisle Enterprises, LLC and First Chicago Equity Capital (subsequently One Equity Partners).
Mr. McGillivray is currently a director of uReach Technologies, Inc., Visionael Corporation, Corente, Inc., 3TP Imaging Sciences, Weldmation, Inc., Micromatic LLC and Napoleon Stone, each of which is a Cloquet Capital investment.
He holds an A.B. degree in Economics from Harvard College (1979) and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School (1984).
Lawrence Wagenberg
General Partner, Wheatley Partners
Lawrence Wagenberg is a general partner at Wheatley Partners, a New York-based private equity firm investing in information technology, business services, media and healthcare. At Wheatley, he has served as a board member or board observer of many companies, including: CNS, Pando Networks, Tri-ed, WhittmanHart, Versamed and Visiprise, among others. Prior to joining Wheatley, he practiced corporate law with the firm Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLC, where he focused primarily on private and public securities transactions, mergers and acquisitions.
Mr. Wagenberg holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and B.A. from the University of Vermont.