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USA WINNER:
Robert F. Smith Vista Equity Partners
CEO Insight...
Robert F. Smith is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. Robert founded Vista in 2000 to build a leading private equity investment firm with an unparalleled focus on enterprise software businesses and technology-enabled solutions companies. Today, Vista is doing just that, and is based in San Francisco, Chicago, and Austin, with over $7 billion in capital commitments.
Robert’s vision from day one was to build upon his experience in technology and financial markets to acquire and create value in enterprise software companies. Under his leadership, Vista is led by world- class management teams with a long-term perspective. The firm is now known as a value-added investor, contributing professional expertise and multi-level support so their companies may realize their full potential.
Robert Smith's focus on software and his commitment to attract and retain the best and the brightest, allows Vista to design, develop, and drive innovation. Software systems are making libraries more accessible, food safer, deliveries more reliable, buildings sturdier, and manufacturing cool again. As a trained engineer who designs and employs systems, Robert, and his Vista leadership team, uses software as a catalyst to ignite imagination and achieve maximum impact.
Vista is currently invested in eighteen software companies with over 18,500 employees worldwide. Robert is focused on software as the key driver for global development and prosperity. Along the way, Robert is committed to changing the perceptions around private equity as simply being transactional and, rather, bring forth a long-term strategic commitment -- a vision which drives innovation through software.
Several years ago, Robert and his Vista leadership team formalized their network of operational resources into Vista Consulting Group (VCG), for the delivery of their own Vista Standard Operating Procedures (“Vista SOPs”). VCG helps implement Vista’s unwavering focus and commitment to continued improvement and performance across its portfolio. Additionally, Vista has invested significantly in developing management talent and building managers who can join new companies to drive the adoption of Vista SOPs. Across the portfolio, Vista now has a strong and growing stable of Vista-trained executives, and has already successfully redeployed over 40 managers into two or more Vista company positions.
Prior to founding Vista, Robert worked for Goldman Sachs M&A, from 1994 to 2000, in New York and Silicon Valley. As Co-Head of Enterprise Systems and Storage, he executed and advised on over $50B in merger and acquisition activity with companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Texas Instruments, eBay and Yahoo!, among many others. Previously, he worked for six years at Kraft leading numerous enterprise-wide technical projects. He is the Principal Inventor on (2) United States and (2) European patents.
Robert was awarded his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and his MBA from Columbia Business School.
In November 2010, Robert launched a national philanthropic effort called "Project Realize" with a visionary approach – termed“Free Market Philanthropy” – combining the best elements of the American free enterprise system with the core American ideals of giving back and lifting others up. Project Realize currently
operates in Chicago, Austin, and San Francisco.
Robert’s Zoelimax Foundation is currently working in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin’s Butler School of Music to support the renowned Menuhin Competition’s first visit to the United States in 2014. This engagement further expands Zoelimax’s programmatic platform which supports children via providing musical instruments and lessons.
Robert's business achievements and global philanthropic work have received recognition from numerous entities - including the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Robert Toigo Foundation, Leadership Circle of the Martin Luther King National Memorial, the Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, the Award of Excellence from the National Association of Investment Companies, and the Columbia University BBSA Distinguished Alumni Award, among others.
Robert is currently Chairman of the Robert F. Kennedy Center, Member of the Cornell Engineering College Council, and a Trustee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco.
And, perhaps his greatest accomplishment of all: Robert is a proud father.
He is also an avid fly fisherman and passionate about the outdoors.
Contact: Robert F. Smith
NORTH AMERICA
Finance Monthly CeO AwArdS 2013 55