Executive Profile
David Brenner is a proven technology entrepreneur and business executive with extensive experience in companies from start-ups to Fortune 500, having served in marketing, sales, business development, product management, engineering, operations, customer service, and finance. With over 28 years in a variety of leadership and individual contributor roles, along with an incisive focus on products and technologies, he effectively bridges the business-engineering “divide” often found in today’s technology organizations. Brenner has successfully navigated numerous teams, comprised of a few to hundreds of employees, through the changing business dynamic to meet the demands of today’s highly competitive market environment. Beyond his business acumen, he also commands hands-on technical expertise in areas including system architecture, hardware and software design, applications, testing and verification, manufacturing, product engineering, and quality assurance in a variety of applications from semiconductors to software and systems.
Brenner is executive officer for Acuitive, an established technology consulting practice providing operational expertise, industry insight and knowledge, business guidance, and marketing assistance to communications, networking, semiconductor, and software companies. He performs key strategic and operational roles for clients including strategic planning and analysis, operational leadership, marketing, business development, and fundraising activities. He also serves on the advisory boards of several companies including Tango Networks, one of his numerous startup experiences, and has previously advised a number of technology and venture capital firm clients including Woodside and Camp Ventures.
Brenner serves as VP of Marketing and Business Development for ConnectSoft, a wireless software company building platform solutions for PAN and LAN, including 802.11, Bluetooth, broadband and other emerging wireless technologies. Along with his day-to-day responsibilities running customer development, product marketing and sales, he leads the company’s strategy and product roadmap efforts. He has also been involved in driving the company’s work in standards development organizations including the Wi-Fi Alliance and the Bluetooth SIG.
Brenner spent several years as interim president and COO of GCI, a multi-million dollar wireless broadband services company, where he overcame critical business issues and restructured the company to profitability. Another noteworthy success during his Acuitive tenure occurred in 2002 when he played a pivotal role in the Standard Microsystems Corporation (SMSC) acquisition of Gain Technology, an Arizona-based analog and mixed signal IC company, where he served as VP of Sales and Marketing.
Brenner also served as VP of Marketing and Business Development for WiQuest Communications, a leading fabless semiconductor company focused on ultra high-performance UWB wireless technology. In this position, he led the company in a variety of high-impact areas, from strategic business development and initial capitalization ($16M) to first product release and customer design-in success. Brenner was responsible for creating WiQuest brand attention and recognition. He was also instrumental in recruiting key technical talent to the company and building a strong employee foundation.
Prior to Acuitive, Brenner spent six years at Texas Instruments (TI) where he held a variety of high-impact senior positions including Director of Broadband Applications, and Business Manager/CTO of Broadband Services, part of the multi-billion-dollar ASP business unit. He was instrumental in developing and executing TI’s communications and broadband strategy, which included the popular ThunderNet network silicon products. Brenner was frequently involved in strategic planning and investment activities, supporting over $1B of TI acquisitions including Amati (xDSL), Telogy (VoIP), Libit (cable modem / CMTS), and Alantro (802.11 wireless LAN) as well as a number of TI venture fund initiatives.
Brenner worked ten years at IBM Corporation in a variety of positions including hardware, software, and test engineering, developing and deploying integrated communications adapter solutions including IBM’s first host-based Ethernet subsystem. He designed and deployed open networking solutions for global customers including American Express and British Airways. He created IBM’s Multivendor Connectivity Facility in Research Triangle Park, and was instrumental in the development of IBM’s TCP/IP platforms and protocols. Brenner left IBM to join SynOptics Communications, where he was Senior Product Marketing Manager and later became Director of their Advanced Technology Sales group.
Brenner holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Drexel University, and has participated in business and technology curricula including courses from the SMU Cox and Harvard business schools, the PDI Executive Development Center, and the Project Management Institute. He has published numerous business articles and technical papers as well as spoken at industry events. He continues to participate in various leadership and advisory board roles for technology companies. Dave Brenner can be reached at (214) 738-1099 or via email at dbrenner@acuitive.com.
