Leadership Team

David brings more than 25 years of experience directing the financial, accounting and business policies of private and publicly traded companies to his role with Apriva. In his current role of President, David works with the Apriva’s Board of Managers and leadership team to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies, and ensure the financial success for the company. Previously, David served as Apriva’s Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Apriva, David held executive-level positions with Action Performance Companies and The Dial Corporation. David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Accounting from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Jeff is a recognized leader in the business communications industry with more than 30 years of experience in voice, video and data communications systems and applications. Jeff drives the product development, strategy, and operations of Apriva’s mobile security division. Prior to joining Apriva, Jeff served as president of Inter-Tel’s global wholesale division, where he played a pivotal role in the company’s entry into VoIP in the late 1990s. In addition to an early VoIP technology patent, Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Engineering from Arizona State University and a Stanford Executive certificate from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Scott leads Apriva’s sales and marketing efforts expanding core vertical penetration and architecting emerging market strategy. He brings over 20 years of experience driving rapid revenue and profit growth in competitive global markets. He started his payments career after nearly 10 years of founding, building and successfully selling startups in Canada. He has previously served as director of CIBC Card Products; general manager and senior vice president at First Data International in Toronto, Canada; chief marketing officer and executive vice president at Global Cash Access (Section 16 Officer); and chief revenue officer and executive vice president with CardConnect (Section 16 Officer), where he served through their acquisition by Fintech Development Corp to CareConnect Inc., which was subsequently acquired by First Data Corp. Scott is also Cofounder and Chairman of Passport Technology Inc.

Karen leads best-in-class human resources practices across the company. She develops strategies for staffing and workforce planning, and partners with the company’s leadership team on organizational development and change management issues. Karen has nearly 20 years of international experience in companies ranging from small technology firms to the Fortune 100. Prior to joining Apriva, Karen worked for Honeywell Corporation as a Vice President of HR for Honeywell Aerospace.

Andy is a private business consultant who has served as EVP, CFO and Treasurer for Interactive Data Corporation, DirectoryM, GiantLoop Network, Inc. and CMGI, Inc. From 1984-1995 he served as an Entrepreneurial Service Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions at Ernst & Young, LLP in the Connecticut, New York and Boston Offices. Earlier in his career Andy worked at Accu-Tel and Mountain International as well as Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand. Andy is on the Board of Trustees of Eagle Financial and Bentley University.

Mike has nearly 30 years of experience developing sophisticated software packages, and has a talent for reviewing and improving existing systems through new technologies and methodologies. He co-founded Apriva in 1999 and was a co-founder at APPS Software, NetSearch and Zanova. Throughout his career he has applied his expertise in software design and development across more than 30 industries including e-commerce, wireless communications, encryption/security and voice-over-Internet. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Arizona State University.

Tas Parafestas is founder and Managing Member of Spinnaker Capital LLC (“Spinnaker”) and its affiliate, The Bollard Group, LLC, both located in Boston, Massachusetts. Spinnaker invests in private companies, real assets, and a variety of fund focused on venture capital, private equity, real estate and event-driven public equity opportunities. Mr. Parafestas serves on numerous private company boards and private equity, venture and real estate fund advisory committees.

Chris has founded and managed a number of innovative technology companies in both the healthcare and technology industries. In 1996, Chris co-founded Smart Technologies, Inc, which was later merged with Apriva to continue innovative development of smart card technology and wireless applications. Chris’ history of entrepreneurship also includes co-founding NetSearch, LLC, a wireless application company acquired by Aether Systems in April 2000, as well as iTool, a B2B e-commerce company, where he served as CEO and chairman. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Dr. Staiano serves as the Chairman and CEO of Sorrento Investment Group focusing on startup ventures in Internet and Telecommunications areas. He is also the Chairman and CEO of Quickfilter Technologies, a private equity funded fabless semiconductor company founded in 2003. Dr. Staiano is a member of the Board of Trustees of Bucknell University and a member of the Board of Acoustic Technologies. Prior to starting his own investment company, Dr. Staiano enjoyed a 23-year career with Motorola. Dr. Staiano earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Bucknell University. He holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Staiano is a graduate of Stanford University’s Institute of Rocket Propulsion and Harvard University’s Institution for Educational Management.

Michael joined Spinnaker Capital in July 1998 to build the private investment business. He has since led numerous investments in private companies and private funds across a wide range of industries. Prior to joining Spinnaker Capital, Michael spent five years in the tax practice of Ernst & Young LLP in Boston, MA. He departed Ernst & Young as a Manager in the Manufacturing/High-Tech practice after spending two years in the Entrepreneurial Services Group.