TeaLeaf Looks into the Future with New CEO
TeaLeaf Technology, known for creating solutions that allows e-businesses to understand the online experience from the customer’s perspective, has named Frank Vaculin as the new CEO. Vaculin will replace former TeaLeaf CEO Robert Wenig who will retain his position as chairman and assume responsibilities as chief technology officer.
Vaculin, former executive vice president for Ask Jeeves’ Business Solutions, created and launched the business-to-business (B2B) unit, growing revenues from $500,000 to $24 million in two years. The B2B unit accounted for half of the company’s revenues and amassed an enterprise client list that included Nike, Radio Shack, Chrysler, Ford, HP, Dell, British Telecom, Compaq, E*Trade, and First Union. Vaculin was also involved in Ask Jeeves’ initial public offering which raised $120 million.
As an 18-year industry veteran with senior management experience, Vaculin’s resume includes various senior operations, marketing, and sales management positions at Softbank Services Group Borland International, Electronics for Imaging (EFI) and Software Publishing Corporation. Vaculin holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of San Francisco.
“From the moment we began our CEO search, we’ve been looking for someone with Frank’s gifted ability to match a technology vision with a broad market opportunity, while leveraging proven marketing, sales, and management experience” said Robert Wenig, founder, chairman, and CTO of TeaLeaf Technology. “At Ask Jeeves and elsewhere, Frank built successful businesses in the heart of our target market: Global 2000 companies whose online operations are absolutely crucial to their business. We look forward to working with Frank as we make the most of this exploding opportunity.”
Vaculin’s responsibilities at TeaLeaf will include building and executing a successful long-term business model around the company’s award-winning TeaLeaf TeaCommerce solution; and establishing strategic industry relationships while focusing the TeaLeaf organization on efficiency and profitability.
Headquartered in San Francisco, TeaLeaf is an independent spin-off of SAP AG, delivering capture, storage, visual replay and analysis technology that enables companies to understand how customers interact with a Web site. TeaCommerce 2.0, the latest release of the TeaLeaf solution, provides a common view of online customer interactions so professionals across the enterprise can better understand customer needs and monitor site performance. The TeaCommerce solution also can uncover trends and relationships that help prevent serious and costly Web site errors and lead to higher revenues, lower costs, faster time to market, and better customer interactions.