* Mike Neuenschwander becomes general manager, strategy practice at Mycroft
I first came across Mike Neuenschwander was when he was pushing Novell’s identity products back in the late 1990s. I watched his rise at the Burton Group from staffer to research vice president for identity management. Most of you – if you’ve ever been to a Catalyst conference – remember Mike through his self-described title of “speaker, entertainer, and satirist.” Now before you start thinking this is some sort of eulogy, Mike’s still alive and kicking – he’ll just do his kicking (and guitar smashing) for someone else now: Mycroft.
Mycroft was last covered here at the 2007 Catalyst conference (see “A marriage, a hot couple, and a single looking for a date at Catalyst”) when it announced a merger with Talisen. Thankfully, the company has given up on calling the new firm “Mycroft, Talisen” (which sounds more like a law office, to me) and are sticking with the simple “Mycroft.”
Mike’s histrionics and antics do cause some to overlook his exceptional grasp of the issues surrounding identity management, though. For example, at the 2005 Catalyst conference – the one in which the guitar got smashed – Mike promulgated the “Seven Flaws of Identity” which everyone in an identity management-related position should know and pay heed to (Compare identity management products).
I caught up with Mike and Elizabeth Butwin-Mann, Mycroft executive VP, business development and chief marketing officer last week to get an update on what Mike will be doing for the New York-based services integrator. One thing he did make clear is that he won’t be moving to Manhattan. Neuenschwander is a Utah boy through and through – and likes the wide open spaces.
He will be doing more “hands on” implementation work with Mycroft, something he says he missed while at Burton. His new title, “General Manager, Strategy Practice,” doesn’t really give much hint to his duties, but he says he likes it that way – allowing him to ease into whichever role best supports the company.
Mike did say that, in addition to spending lots of time with Mycroft’s clients, he’ll keep up his speaking roles at industry conferences, so there’ll still be plenty of opportunity for you to see him in action.
Upcoming events of note:Understanding Liberty’s Identity Technology Standards, Santa Clara2nd European Identity Conference, Munich, Germany.Location Intelligence 2008, Santa Clara
* March 10:
* March 22-25:
* March 28-30:
