NEIL JACOBSON – CEO
Neil is the founder and CEO of Abilicorp, the only for-profit employment company for people with disabilities.
Neil retired in 2008 from Wells Fargo Bank after 29 years, most recently serving as Senior Vice President in charge of their System Automation Management and Wireless Technology Divisions, and previously as Chief Systems Architect for the retail business.
Over the past 35 years Neil has been an advocate and change agent for the economic development of people with disabilities. In 1975 he co-founded the CIL Computer Training Program, a nationally recognized training program, enabling people with significant disabilities to become computer programmers. When he stepped down as Chairman of the Board of CIL in 1994, more than 300 students had graduated, 92% of whom had found competitive employment. More than 28 other programs throughout the US, Canada and Puerto Rico now use the CIL CTP as their model. Neil also founded the Association of Rehabilitation Programs in Data Processing, and helped create the Neil Jacobson Computer Center in Uganda.
Neil has continued his work on economic development for people with disabilities as a Board member and past Chair of the World Institute on Disability. He was also the Vice-Chair of the President’s Committee on Employment for People with Disabilities under the Clinton Administration.
Neil received a BS in Mathematics from Hofstra University and completed his MBA at Golden Gate University. In 1991, Neil was inducted into the California Hall of Fame. He has received many awards for his contributions, including the Independence Award from CIL, the Murray Award from the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy, and Alumnae of the Year at Golden Gate University.
Neil lives in Oakland, California, with his wife Denise and their son David.
CAROLYN BRUEN – CFO
Carolyn has a passion for working with startup companies and has been involved in the technology sector since 1996. As a founding member of the senior management team and acting CFO at TransactPlus, Carolyn was responsible for implementing and managing all corporate G&A functions including Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Risk Management, and Facilities/Real Estate. More recently, Carolyn has worked with several company founders – in various stages of growth – to craft the financial piece of their business plan in order to successfully prepare the organization for fundraising activities. Carolyn received her M.B.A. from Boston University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Mathematics and a B.A. in Psychology from Colby College.
Bruce Potterton – COO
Bruce has over twenty years of managing multi-functional teams that combine strategy, product positioning & corporate marketing. His management experience includes successfully building and leading start up, turn around and high growth high technology organizations to achieve strategic objectives. He has built highly effective teams for organizations, which include recruiting talented employees, consultants, agencies and or freelancers, pressed to accomplish extraordinary things. Bruce can personally produce deliverables as well as supervise the work of others. He is known as an adviser / coach; often awarded the polka dot jersey buy his colleagues for the best climber (in reference to the mountain stages of the Tour de France cycle race).
Kenneth Chrisman – VP Business Development
Ken has nearly 30 years of business experience as CIO, CTO and Director at major Financial Services and technology businesses. Specific results at multiple organizations include turning the IT function into a competitive advantage within a mono-line insurance company, building major retail Internet capability within a large money center bank and culturally integrating the IT functions for a major Retail Banking integration while maximizing stockholder value received. Ken has a successful track record in both technical and general management functions within both public and privately backed companies.
Venesa Klein – Senior Director of Recruiting
Venesa Klein, Senior Director of Recruiting at Abilicorp, Inc. joined the company in March, 2009. Previously she was Senior Executive Recruiter/Partner at The Pacific Firm, where she generated $2M in new business annually. She successfully filled Executive level positions and completed an assortment of consulting projects including assisting venture capital clients perform due diligence on business investments and founding teams. Her positive attitude, capacity to grow, and proven ability to fill positions ranging from Manager to Vice President across functional specialties are characteristics that brought Venesa to Abilicorp.