Avtrex
The core Avtrex team has been working together for almost two decades, creating world-class products in machine intelligence, digital imaging, and web interaction.
After building industry-leading products in each of these areas, including the key technology behind an ANSI standard for computer connectivity and device control in the imaging field, the team turned their attention to something that’s really exciting: leveraging converging technologies and new generation silicon chips to build a new generation of intelligent entertainment products for the home. Products which are easy to install and operate. Products which enhance the quality of life.
Avtrex is a privately held corporation based in California's Silicon Valley.
Executive Team
Steve Francis
Chief Executive Officer
Steve Francis, CEO of Avtrex, is an experienced leader, marketer, and technologist. He has been involved with Avtrex since its inception as a member of its board of directors.
Before joining Avtrex, Steve was president and CEO of Captiva Software (NASDAQ:CPTV; recently acquired by EMC) where he was responsible for refocusing the company and returning it to profitability before doubling its size through a merger with a strategic business partner. His career has spanned roles as diverse as software development, engineering management, marketing, and OEM sales.
Steve also serves as chairman of the board of RAF Technologies, a Seattle-based company which delivers intelligent software systems for complex data capture and analysis tasks. He holds a BS degree and pursued advanced work in electrical engineering and computer science from Stanford University where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi honorary societies.
Steve was one of the first ReplayTV customers, and has watched personal video recorders (PVR's) change the way his family is entertained. He lives with his wife and two children in Saratoga, California.
Johannes Schmidt
Chief Technical Officer
Johannes Schmidt, CTO of Avtrex, has been creating standards in new technology for more than 15 years. Schmidt co-founded Avtrex and his vision for the utilization of computer technologies in consumer devices drives the Avtrex development team.
Before founding Avtrex, Johannes was vice president and CTO of Captiva Software. At Captiva, he architected and led the development of Dialog Interaction ServerTM, which created an interactive browser experience by combining HTML and XML Schema. He was also the primary architect of Captiva's industry leading InputAccelTM information capture system, and for ANSI standard MS61-1996. MS61 and related ISIS® branded products remain the primary interface for controlling production document scanners.
Johannes earned a BS degree in Engineering and Applied Science from
the California Institute of Technology. He was an early TiVo customer,
and uses digital video recorders to take control of his entertainment
experience. He lives with his wife and two children in Los Altos Hills,
California.
Chief Operating Officer
Dave Sharp, COO of Avtrex, has over 20 years of experience in software development, software quality assurance, and engineering management.
Dave joined Avtrex from Captiva Software, where he served as Vice President, Engineering, and was responsible for architecture, development, quality assurance, and documentation for the company’s largest software development group.
Dave holds a BS degree in Computer Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
He lives with his wife, child, and TiVo’s in San Jose, California.
