Wireless LAN vendor Colubris earlier this month named Robb Scott its new president and CEO, at about the same time that Aruba Networks became the first of the remaining independent WLAN switch vendors to go public. Scott’s background includes several technology companies that he’s helped to grow or launch, often in highly competitive businesses. Most recently the 52-year-old was president and CEO of Xelor Software, starting its U.S. headquarters and launching its IP voice telephony and management software.

Previously, he held the same posts for IPeria, which offers voice messaging solutions. He co-founded Octave Communications, bought by Voyant Technologies in 2003. Before that, Scott held senior management positions at several companies, including at least two others, Onet and MultiLink, that were also acquired.

Colubris, like other smaller WLAN vendors, faces an array of challenges in a rapidly changing market where Cisco retains the lion’s share. The privately held company says it's reaping record profits, though hasn’t claimed profitability yet. Investors poured another $14 million into the company coffers late in 2006.

We sent Scott five questions via e-mail:

1. Will your primary focus be on expanding Colubris' market share or on preparing the company for either an IPO or an acquisition?

The capital markets have recently become more receptive to IPOs by high-growth technology companies, as demonstrated by Aruba’s successful IPO. This gives Colubris more financing options, although we are fortunate to be in a position where we are already very well financed to achieve our market growth and business objectives. We are very focused on executing our plan to substantially grow the business and expand our share in the enterprise WLAN market. This positions the company for the optimum outcome for our shareholders.

2. What's the biggest problem Colubris faces right now?

We don’t have a “problem” per se, but our biggest “challenge” is maximizing the tremendous opportunity we face. We’re in a fast-growing market and we have more than 1,500 customers and partners that are very happy with Colubris and want to do more with us. We need to continue to focus on making our existing customers and partners successful, while demonstrating our unique value proposition to new prospects.