Peter Bardwick
J. Peter Bardwick is broadly experienced in leading, building, fixing and financing businesses. Peter's history includes direct responsibility for multiple P & L's, sales, marketing, technology, business development, human resources, finance and accounting and investor and public relations. Direct knowledge includes start-ups, turn-arounds, managing and financing public and private companies, IPO’s, venture financing, and M&A.
In early 2005, Peter completed the sale of Digitalpath Networks where he was President, CEO and a member of the board. Peter joined the company as CFO and became CEO at the board's request. Digitalpath is a leading wireless ISP with financial backing from Draper, Fisher and Jurvetson, and financial and operational backing from Earthlink, Inc. Peter's accomplishments included raising bridge financing and $5.7mm in venture financing, focusing strategy, reducing burn 60%, and recommending and managing the sale of the company.
Recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and member of the board of infoUSA.com. infoUSA.com is one of the leading providers of data to Internet portals, customer relationship management and sales force automation vendors, wireless applications, and direct marketing companies. Peter was an early employee and was the sole report to the CEO, with responsibilities for all divisions. In addition to his board and operating roles, he oversaw two rounds of private fundraising totaling $32.6mm with the primary investors being Trident Capital, meVC Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Yahoo! and General Motors Investment Management.
Prior to joining infoUSA.com Peter served as Chief Financial Officer of CBS MarketWatch.com (purchased by Dow Jones in 2004) where he was again an early employee and helped build the company and its team. He led its highly successful IPO and managed strategic planning, corporate development and customer satisfaction. MarketWatch became public in January 1999 and at that time its IPO achieved the highest one-day rise in value, pricing at $17 and closing at $97.50. MarketWatch continues to be the leader in the online delivery of financial news and investing information.
Mr. Bardwick's other corporate experiences include significant corporate turn-arounds. He served as EVP and Chief Financial Officer of the Beasley Broadcast Group (NASDAQ BBGI) and VP Finance for Westwood One Inc. (NYSE WON).
Mr. Bardwick is an experienced public speaker and has been interviewed by CNBC, CNNfn, CCBN, national radio and in a variety of print publications including the The Industry Standard and Business Week. He has made presentations at numerous technology and growth conferences including those sponsored by ABN Amro, Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenerrete, ING Barings, Robertson Stephens, Salomon Smith Barney, the Software Development Forum, Stephens Inc., Pricewaterhouse Coopers, University of Michigan, Women's Technology Cluser, and First Albany Corp.
Mr. Bardwick began his career in investment banking, working with Salomon Brothers and Citicorp Investment Bank in New York where he financed LBO's and M&A related transactions for a wide variety of companies. He was hired by Salomon Brothers to build a leveraged loan syndication business, one of the first at a major investment bank. Mr. Bardwick also founded and served as the Managing Director of Star Media Capital, a boutique investment bank serving the media and broadcasting industries.
Peter holds an MBA in Finance and BA in Political Science (cum laude), from the University of Michigan.
