Rich Bates

Richard Bates is a seasoned IT/Operations executive who brings to the table a powerful combination of skills that have delivered outstanding business results in diverse settings. He played a leadership role in launch of four technology firms, has successfully built, restructured, or optimized performance of multiple IT and customer service organizations, and has applied technology and knowledge to deliver outstanding business solutions in both the corporate and government/military worlds.

As Vice President of Operations for ServerVault, a niche provider of DoD grade information security through ultra secure infrastructure and data housing outsourcing, his impact on the company has been dramatic. Brought in by a former colleague to this then-5 month old company as its sixth employee, he initially set out to manage web development and customer relations during the company’s start-up phase. Mr. Bates thrived in the fast-paced entrepreneurial environment and took every opportunity to step in wherever needed to guide the company through its growth pains.

He took on a supervisory role for provisioning, and then served as Director of Managed Services, and after 2 years rose to Vice President in charge of all IT development and operation of the company’s 24/365 10,000 square foot secure data center and customer service operation (both of which Mr. Bates played an instrumental role in establishing).

Mr. Bates served as a key member of the senior management team at ServerVault from the outset, making substantial contributions to corporate strategy during the toughest of times for the company. He developed company-wide operating and information technology policies and procedures, and continually led efforts to improve quality and customer service. He served as needed in several roles and functions, including those usually reserved for CTO, and CIO. His commitment to excellence and devotion to ServerVault helped the company grow from an under $1M startup to a $16M recognized leader in secure, compliant data and application hosting. This culminated in a $25+M sale in September 2009.

Previously, Mr. Bates founded and operated a boutique consulting firm assisting small to mid-size companies in applying emerging web technologies to enable information sharing in their corporate infrastructures. Leveraging an extensive personal network, he built this business from zero to approximately $1/4 million in annual revenues and completed a number of leading edge B2B, e-commerce, and e-zine projects before his recruitment by ServerVault.

Prior to this as a Senior Associate at AT&T Solutions, Mr. Bates completed a variety of consulting projects and managed major account relationships, astounding his employers by identifying an opportunity that delivered $20,000 in cost savings on his second day with the firm. Mr. Bates gained tremendous technology expertise and program/project management skills in his positions as Senior Project Engineer and Program & Project Manager at SMS Data Products and Integrated Microcomputer Systems, respectively. He led development of the Navy’s first-ever secure, web based communications system for reserve duty Flag Officers, to rave reviews. During Desert Storm/Desert Shield Mr. Bates transitioned the DIA’s Hardware Support Center from a “business hours” only operation to a full 24/7 Support Center. He was asked to come on board to help create the first Department of the Navy HQ Customer Support Center, again successfully transitioning it from a “9-5” shop to a full 24/7 Operations Center. Mr. Bates began his career as a partner in a family-owned business specializing in Military Intelligence and related matters.

Mr. Bates holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems from The George Washington University, as well as a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Information Systems. He has been actively involved in his community, serving from 1995 - 2007 in a variety of roles with the Boy Scouts of America, including Assistant District Commissioner and Founding Advisor of a Fire and Rescue Explorer Post. As Founding Scoutmaster and Cubmaster, he has brought together people of diverse backgrounds to launch five different Scout units.