PALO ALTO, California, December 12 /PRNewswire/ --
Accel Partners, a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm, today announced the addition of Dick Williams as CEO-in-Residence. Dick brings unparalleled operational experience and leadership, as well as deep knowledge in the enterprise software and digital media markets.
As CEO-in-Residence, Dick will work with the Accel team to identify and analyze new ventures that have the potential to define important market categories. Dick will also directly advise and assist Accel portfolio companies which will benefit from his valuable experience.
"Accel and I have a long history of shared success," said Dick Williams. "We've built great companies together and had tremendous experiences doing so. I look forward to continuing my partnership with the Accel team as I explore my next opportunity."
Dick has previously worked with Accel as CEO or Chairman of three category-defining portfolio companies. He was CEO of Illustra Information Technologies, a pioneer of object database technology, which was acquired by Informix in 1996. Dick was then co-founder and Chairman of Quokka Sports, an online immersive media company, which completed its initial public offering in 1999. Most recently Dick was CEO of Wily Technology, the leader in Web application management, which was acquired by Computer Associates in 2006.
Prior to Illustra, Williams worked for 22 years at IBM in a variety of management roles culminating with his service as vice president with the General Products Division. He then served as president and CEO of Digital Research, which was later acquired by Novell. At Novell Williams served as executive vice president of sales and support, and general manager of Novell's Digital Research Systems Group.
"Dick Williams is one of the finest CEO's we have ever worked with," said Peter Wagner, General Partner at Accel. "We look forward to working closely with Dick as we together identify exciting new opportunities where his superb leadership can help create a true market leader."
About Accel Partners
Accel was established in 1983, and today invests globally with offices in Palo Alto, California and London, as well as in China via the IDG-Accel Partnership. With over US$4 billion under management, Accel has helped technology entrepreneurs build over 300 successful companies, many of which have defined their categories. The Accel portfolio includes long-term market leaders such as Veritas, RealNetworks, Foundry Networks and Polycom, as well as recent IPO's MetroPCS, Infinera, ComScore, and Riverbed Technologies.
Web site: http://www.accel.com
Angela Azam of Accel Partners, +1-650-330-5442, aazam@accel.com
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