Steve Kokotas

Experience

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  U.S. Robotics. Inc.

  Nov 1981 - Aug 1986

  Special Assistant to the President & Director of Manufacturing Operations

  Data communications hardware and software manufacturer that designed and built the first modem on a chip and the first handheld personal digital assistant (Palm Pilot PDA). Managed all facets of manufacturing operations from purchasing to production and testing. Oversaw start-up growth from seven to over 100 employee manufacturing operation. As member of core management team, helped obtain contract to produce the first Apple Personal Modem and designed the production facility and processes to manufacture it. Show less

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  Center for Urban Economic Development - University of Illinois at Chicago

  Aug 1990 - Jun 1994

  Economic Development Planner

  University research center, providing technical and educational assistance to community organizations, business and local government. Wrote and awarded $477,000 National Telecommunications and Information Administration grant to create a UIC Neighborhoods and Nonprofit Networks and a $500,000 Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs grant to build the Illinois Resource Information System (IRIS). And, I also managed the Community Databank providing information and data analysis services to community organizations and public agencies. Show less

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  Napa Valley Economic Development Corporation

  Jan 1995 - May 1998

  Executive Director

  A non-profit, public benefit economic development organization funded by all six Napa County jurisdictions, foundation grants, major employers and developers. Guided a diverse 25 member Board. Facilitated industry cluster forums and developed a countywide economic development strategic plan. Managed public relations, opinion research and media campaign for successful 2/3rds vote to raise the local sales tax to fund the Napa River Flood Protection and Watershed Management Plan resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development in downtown Napa and world-class environmental restoration of the Napa River and wetlands. Show less

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  NapaNet Internet Services

  Jun 1998 - Aug 2001

  CEO

  Founded ISP while serving as co-chair of the Napa County Business and Education Partnership. Gross sales of $2 million annually, with over 11,000 subscribers and 12 full-time employees. Business plan based on providing free internet access and network services to all Napa County schools.

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  MIG, Inc., Berkeley, CA

  Sept 2001 - now

  Principal, Director of Technology Services

  Planning, design, communications, management, and technology consulting firm creating environments, organizations and tools for human development. Based on the principles of ecological design, MIG’s approach to planning, policy, design, and technology is strategic and context-driven addressing social, political, economic and physical factors simultaneously.As the Director of Technology Services, I have overseen the business and product development and ongoing support for a wide range of web-based information services for government agencies. These projects include specialized database-driven web applications, highly-customized content management systems, mission critical public agency data warehouses, and interactive, online educational games, web animations and data visualizations. My role in projects is as a producer, team-builder, project manager, and client collaborator who crafts, translates, and adapts functional and technical requirements into civic tools and services that enable our clients to be more agile, anticipatory, service-driven, innovative, and impactful. Show less