Entrepreneurs Uncensored

Jim Stratigos, is founder and CEO of Sytheros Communications and is an active angel investor, mentor and advisor to a variety of early-stage technology companies. Jim is also president of Broadband Strategies where he assists early and later stage companies in the broadband wireless and satellite communications industries. He brings more than 35 years of experience as a successful technology entrepreneur and industry leader. At Broadband Strategies, Jim has advised private companies and venture capital firms in the telecom, wireless, semiconductor and energy industries.

Jim’s career includes CEO, executive management, marketing, and engineering positions in semiconductor, wireless and satellite technology companies, including JMD, Echostar, AT&T and Motorola. During his career, he has founded three technology companies, two of which were sold and remain as successful operating units of public companies.

Most recently Jim was the CEO of Jacket Micro Devices (JMD), a pioneer in the development of embedded passive technology for wireless semiconductors. Before joining JMD in 2004, Jim was an advisor and fellow at Georgia Tech’s Venture Lab, where he evaluated commercialization opportunities for research created at Georgia Tech. Venture Lab is a component of the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) at Georgia Tech, the longest running and most successful university technology incubator in the country.

In 1995, Jim founded Media4, a pioneer in the development of Internet over satellite technology. After managing a successful acquisition by Echostar in 1999, he remained with the company as vice president and general manager of Echostar Data Networks where he led Echostar’s efforts in broadband satellite networks and advanced set-top development. In 1983, Jim co-founded Tridom Corporation, an early developer of interactive satellite technology, which was sold to AT&T in 1988. He remained with AT&T, serving in various executive positions until 1993.  Jim has also held senior development and management positions at Scientific-Atlanta, Georgia Tech Research Institute and Motorola. 

Jim is active in the Atlanta high tech community and is a founding member and board member of Atlanta Technology Angels, an Atlanta-based, early stage investment group. He also serves on the boards of several portfolio companies and is past chairman of Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures.

 A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Jim earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1974, and a master's degree in electrical engineering, also from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1980. Jim is a member of the IEEE, the Georgia Tech College of Engineering Advisory Board and a member of the Georgia Tech Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni. 

Steve W. Chaddick, Mentor Capitalist, founded Ridgewood Advisors, LLC in 2004 as a vehicle for angel investing, nurturing the community of emerging technology companies in the Atlanta area, and facilitating technology commercialization.

Prior to excusing himself from corporate life, Mr. Chaddick served as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of CIENA Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN), a company he co-founded in 1994, responsible for overall corporate strategy and product direction. He held several roles at Ciena including Vice President, Product Development, and Senior Vice President, Products and Technologies, responsible for all Research and Development. He has 30+ years of experience in the Telecom and related industries, holds nine patents in the area of WDM systems and techniques, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Optical Internetworking Forum, Terabit Technology, Asankya Networks, and Vistascape Security Systems, and currently serves on the board of Global Crypto Systems, Variable, Inc., and the Atlanta Technology Angels.

Mr. Chaddick is an active volunteer in the Georgia Tech community, currently serving as a trustee and Chair of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, a trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation, and as Chair of the advisory board of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is also a member of the advisory board of the College of Engineering, a board member of Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures, and an advisor to the Georgia Research Alliance and Georgia Tech Venture Lab.

Mr. Chaddick is a former board member of the Georgia Tech Research Corporation and a past member of the Georgia Tech Advisory Board.  He also serves as a trustee, Vice-Chair and Chair-Elect at The Galloway School in Atlanta, and has previously served as Chair and Vice Chair of the board development committee, leading two successful capital campaigns. He is a board member and Chair of the finance committee of Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, and is a trustee and member of the board finance committee of the Woodruff Arts Center.

Prior to the founding of CIENA, Mr. Chaddick was Vice President of Engineering at AT&T Tridom, an early leader in very small aperture satellite terminal systems, and a company he co-founded in 1983, acquired by AT&T in 1988. Prior to Tridom, he held numerous positions in engineering, engineering management, sales, and general management in the communications industry, including roles at Scientific-Atlanta, Avantek, Pacific Measurements, and GTE Electronic Systems Division.

 Mr. Chaddick received both his B.E.E. (Highest Honor, 1974) and M.S.E.E (1982) degrees in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is a member of the Georgia Tech Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni.