Michael Chasen
American businessman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Chasen is an American businessman. He is a co-founder and former CEO of Blackboard Inc., a position he held from 1999 to 2012. In April 2013, Chasen co-founded SocialRadar, a technology startup company developing a location-based social app. In 2020, he co-founded ClassEDU, the maker of Class For Zoom, which aims to improve the effectiveness of Zoom-based remote learning.
Michael Chasen | |
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| Alma mater | American University, Georgetown University |
| Occupation | CEO of PrecisionHawk |
| Known for | Co-founder of Blackboard Inc. along with Matthew Pittinsky, Stephen Gilfus, Daniel Cane |
| Spouse | Randi Chasen |
| Children | Skylar Pagie Chasen, Logan Chasen, Lily Chasen |
Early life
Michael Chasen grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut.[1][2] He developed an interest in computers at age 10,[1] and he began writing programs on his father's Radio Shack TRS Model III.[1][2] He later used his skills to offer local businesses computer consulting while still in school.[2][3] Also during high school, he was an active member of BBYO (B'nai B'rith Youth Organization).[4]
Chasen attended American University and completed a degree in computer science in three years, graduating in 1993.[5][6] While at American, Chasen worked part-time doing technology work for the FBI.[2] He met future Blackboard co-founder Matthew Pittinsky in the American University dorms when Pittinsky wanted to borrow Chasen's laser printer.[1][7]
Following his undergraduate degree, Chasen earned an MBA with a focus in accounting from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business in 1995.[1][8]
Career
Early career
While still at Georgetown, Chasen was inspired by the application process to multiple undergraduate and MBA programs to start Search and Apply Group, a company that offered a computer application allowing colleges to accept online applications.[5] After hearing about Search and Apply Group, Greg Baroni, who was Matthew Pittinsky's manager at KPMG Peat Marwick (now KPMG Consulting), offered Chasen a job.[1][5] In 1996, Chasen left law school after completing one year to join KPMG as a consultant in the Higher Education Group.[1][9]
During their time at KPMG, Chasen and Pittinsky observed that colleges were investing in connecting classrooms and dormitories to the Internet, but there was a gap in the adoption of software to aid learning.[9]
Chasen and Pittinsky left KPMG in 1997 to launch their e-learning business.[10] In an oft-cited anecdote, Baroni allowed them to borrow their computers while they got themselves set-up, a situation that Chasen and Pittinsky used to then steal their office chairs.[2][11]
Blackboard
Chasen and Pittinsky founded Blackboard LLC, a consulting company developing IMS (Instructional Management System) standards for elearning based on a contract from EDUCOM and the National Learning Infrastructure Initiative, in 1997.[12][13][14] In 1998, the company merged with CourseInfo LLC, a software provider which had developed a platform for internet and networked learning, which they called a "Course Management System" platform.[15] The combined company became known as Blackboard Inc.[16]
Chasen became chief executive officer (CEO) of Blackboard in 1999,[17] as one of the youngest CEOs of a publicly traded company[7][18] when he orchestrated Blackboard's initial public offering in 2004.[12][19]
By 2012 Blackboard had grown to more than 3,000 employees with 20,000 clients in over 65 countries, and earning $600 million in revenue,[2][11][20] and Chasen announced he would be stepping down as the CEO of Blackboard.[11][21][22] Jay Bhatt was named as his successor.[20][22]
SocialRadar
In 2013, Chasen founded SocialRadar, a D.C.-based mobile startup focused on building a social location app for smartphones and Google Glass.[23][24][25] He is the CEO of the new company.[24][26]
In June 2013, it was reported that Chasen had secured $12.75 million in a first round of investments.[25][27][28] SocialRadar's app was planned to enter beta testing in July 2013[28] and was initially developed for iPhone, followed by Android and Glass.[24][29][27] On January 30, 2014, SocialRadar was released to the Apple AppStore.[30]
Awards and recognition
Chasen was included in Forbes’ list of “America's 15 Most Powerful CEOs 40 And Under”[3] and Washington SmartCEO named Chasen as its first CEO of the Year in 2006.[7] Other recognition received by Chasen includes being named Ernst & Young's "Entrepreneur of the Year for Emerging Companies in Washington, D.C."[31] and being honored as a "Young Innovator" by the Kilby Foundation.[32] Chasen was listed by Washington Techway Magazine as one of D.C.'s "most-admired bosses" and was featured in Washington Business Forward's list of the Washington, D.C. area's "rising stars".[8]
Investments
Personal life
Chasen lives in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife Randi and three children.[2][11]