Leadership
World Wide Packets is led by a team of forward thinkers and industry experts, each with a successful track record in fulfilling their visions.
Dan Reiner
Chairman and CEO
Dan Reiner has founded, been a significant investor in, and/or served as a director of more than a dozen companies in the public and private sectors, spanning multiple markets including telecommunications, optics, biotechnology, computer peripherals, manufacturing, timber and real estate. Before becoming CEO of World Wide Packets, Mr. Reiner co-founded the company in 1999 and has been serving as chairman of the board since that time. Most recently he ran venture-backed Wildseed, a company that compiled a highly advanced and complete operating system for cell phones using a Linux platform. Prior to that, Mr. Reiner took over management of privately held Rigel Corporation, a manufacturer of precision optoelectronics laser trimming machines capable of measuring, ablating and re-measuring 200 chip resistors per minute in 2003. During his tenure, Mr. Reiner helped the company achieve significant growth. In 1998, Mr. Reiner was an investor, executive and board member for VaxGen, a spin out from Genentech, currently the first and only company in the world to fund and execute a Phase III clinical trial of an AIDS vaccine. Previously he was chairman and CEO of Optical Devices Inc. a company he founded and took public to produced polarized film integrally used in the manufacture of LCDs and other optical displays. Mr. Reiner holds an MBA from Pepperdine University.
Matthew Frey
President and COO
Matthew Frey brings more than 16 years experience in working with high tech start up companies to World Wide Packets. He has extensive experience in executive leadership, operational planning, financial analysis, and strategic planning. Most recently, he was Principal of Frey Consulting where he assisted start-up companies in developing and implementing strategic plans and raising venture capital. In addition, he provided high net-worth clients with venture investment advice for angel investments in high-tech start-ups. Prior to that, Mr. Frey served as Chief Investment Officer at JDL Enterprises, LLC where he managed over $65 million in assets including a direct high-tech investment portfolio. Mr. Frey also served as Vice President of Finance and Technology for Data Base, Inc. While at Data Base he was responsible for the sale of the company in 1999 to Iron Mountain for $115 million, achieving the highest multiple paid for any company in the industry. Prior to joining Data Base, Mr. Frey worked at Price Waterhouse in Silicon Valley. Mr. Frey holds a BS from Santa Clara University, CA.
Michael Nielsen
Executive Vice President of Product Management and Engineering
With more than two decades of engineering experience, Michael Nielsen brings a wealth of industry leadership to his role at World Wide Packets. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Nielsen was Chief Technology Officer for Lucent’s Integrated Network Solutions wire line segment. In addition, Nielsen was President of Lucent’s Data Networking Group and led the creation of several strategic partnerships that drove the company’s MPLS strategy. Before joining Lucent Mr. Nielsen held executive positions at CoSine Communications and Silicon Graphics. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
Kevin Daines
Chief Technology Officer
Kevin Daines has an unparalleled background in Ethernet technology with more than 15 years of engineering and networking experience. Mr. Daines was appointed as CTO after serving as Vice President of Engineering for World Wide Packets. Prior to joining World Wide Packets, he worked for Grand Junction Networks (Cisco), DiviCom (LSI Logic) and Packet Engines (Alcatel). At Packet Engines, Mr. Daines led the development of the first commercially available Gigabit Ethernet Media Access Controller. Mr. Daines has been an active member of the IEEE 802 Local Area Network and Metropolitan Area Network Standards Committee since 1996, receiving two Outstanding Contributor Awards for his work on the Gigabit Ethernet and Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) standards. A former editor of the IEEE 802.3ah EFM OAM, Mr. Daines currently chairs the Congestion Management and Frame Expansion Task Forces and holds a BS in Global Business Management from the University of Phoenix.
Chad Whalen
Senior Vice President Global Sales and Marketing
Chad Whalen is an experienced telecom and networking sales executive with 12 years experience in complex account planning and sales negotiations with carrier and enterprise customers. Prior to joining World Wide Packets, Mr. Whalen served as Vice President for North and South American sales for CIENA. At CIENA he was responsible for the company’s largest sales initiatives and was actively involved in its strategic partnering and acquisition strategy. Prior to CIENA, he was Director of North America Sales for Allied Telesyn with responsibility for channel and OEM sales and held positions at Cabletron. Mr. Whalen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University.
Brett Turner
Vice President of Finance
Brett Turner is a highly experienced finance professional with a broad background in finance and accounting. Over the past 13 years, Mr. Turner has served in senior finance positions in both public and private high-growth technology companies. As Vice President of Finance for World Wide Packets, he has played a key role in raising over $60 million in equity and venture-debt financing over the last two years. Prior to joining World Wide Packets, Mr. Turner served as finance manager for Amazon.com, where he managed SEC reporting and accounting for the company’s acquisitions, consolidation, taxes, and development centers. Before Amazon.com, he served in controller and other management positions at telecommunications and web-based companies such as Teledesic and theglobe.com. He began his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP, becoming a CPA during his tenure there. Mr. Turner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Seattle Pacific University, where he graduated cum laude.
Dave Curry
Vice Chairman
Dave Curry is a seasoned veteran of the telecommunications’ industry with solid leadership and management skills. He co-founded Architel Systems, Canada’s first telecom OSS product and services provider, which was purchased by Nortel Networks in 2000. In 1996 Mr. Curry led Architel to an IPO and a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and to a listing on NASDAQ in 1998. Previously, Mr. Curry held a wide range of senior management positions at Bell Canada and Telic Corporation, a Washington, D.C. start-up. In 1996 he was selected Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year for his leadership at Architel. Mr. Curry holds a bachelor of engineering degree from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.
