Addison Fischer
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Addison McElroy Fischer Baron of Lee | |
|---|---|
| Education | West Virginia University (BS, MS) |
| Occupations | businessperson, investor, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Title | Chairman of Fischer International Systems Corporation |
Addison McElroy Fischer, Baron of Lee is an American businessperson in information technology, a venture capital investor, and a philanthropist in the conservation of the environment. He became a Scots baron in the Baronage of Scotland in 2004.[1][2]
Fischer holds bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics from West Virginia University (1966–1972).
Career
His career spans a variety of roles including computer software scientist, cryptologist, entrepreneur, inventor, investor, ecologist, conservationist and philanthropist.
1960s
In 1968, while working for West Virginia University, he created software that amplified the throughput capability of IBM mainframe systems up to 40% (the high speed "Executor").[3]
1970s
In 1973 he created his first high-tech start-up company which in the late 1970s developed the "Top Secret" IBM mainframe security software (this is now owned by Computer Associates).
1980s
In 1980 he was a principal founder of the Community School of Naples[4] (FL), an independent K-12 school and was a trustee from 1980 through 2005.
In 1981 he founded Fischer International Systems Corporation, a communications software provider to the Global 2000, and serves as its Chairman. Current products include TAO and IOF. Retired products include Watchdog (PC security), and EMC2.
In 1981 he became co-owner, together with principal Stanley Druckenmiller, of Duquesne Capital Management (DCM) until Druckenmiller's retirement in 2010.[5] DCM had 30 consecutive years of positive investment returns averaging 30%.
In the 1980s he became majority owner of RSA Data Security and remained a board member until its merger with Security Dynamics in 1996.[6][7]
1990s
In 1995 he provided initial seed funding for the creation of Verisign Inc.[8] which quickly attracted strategic partners and additional financing.[9] Verisign became well known as a standard of internet commerce integrity.
In the early 1990s, he co-founded two small private Silicon Valley venture capital firms, Tierra del Oro and Camino del Oro, specializing in high-tech startup companies. These ventures have been incorporated into Zenerji, LLC. He continues as a principal investor in a number of companies, including Audible Magic and Actify.
2000s
In 2005 he established Fischer International Identity, LLC to focus on internet cloud-based security software, company of which he is chairman.
2010s
In 2011 he was a founding board member of Oceans/Five,[10] a role in which he continues.
In 2019 he joined the board[11] of Tri-Alpha Energy, since renamed TAE Technologies, a company developing aneutronic atomic fusion to provide nuclear energy without radioactive by-products.
Standards work
During the 1980s and 1990s, he was a member of several official ANSI committees that set U.S. standards for commercial computer security (ANSI X9) and electronic commerce (ANSI X12). He addressed the U.S. Congress, by invitation, on several topics, including digital signature standards, proposed FBI digital telephony legislation, and global U.S. competitiveness .[12][13]
From 1995 through 1999 he was a member of the Computer Systems Security and Privacy Advisory Board[14] (since renamed the Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board), and was involved in issues ranging from privacy to cyber-warfare.
He holds numerous U.S. and international patents.