Open Box was founded in 2004 with a focus on expanding the reach of digital media through open and powerful web-based solutions.

Our core and extended teams are comprised of dedicated and talented people who have founded and run digital media software and services businesses for over a decade.

Our team's agility and flexibility are the driving forces behind our ability to develop innovative products and best serve our customers.

We take pride in being able to deploy with customers many times Open Box's size and in our guarantee that Open Box solutions will produce the successful results our customers expect.

Cameron Brain, President and CEO

Since formalizing OBT’s business plans and moving ahead with initial development in the spring of 2004, Cameron has built talented management and technical development teams, assembled an experienced Board, and managed the development and launch of OBT’s products.

Cameron’s past entrepreneurial endeavors have included the founding and operation of Bicycle Parts Direct, Inc.: the first online mountain bike retail store to import high-quality, machine manufactured frames and components to the U.S. While running Bicycle Parts Direct, Cameron developed and implemented a highly successful business model and marketing campaign, and spearheaded the successful negotiation of exclusive online retail agreements with a number of major North American, European and Asian manufacturers. Prior to entering college, Cameron transferred ownership of Bicycle Parts Direct to his business partner.

Cameron is currently on leave from his studies as a Management and an Electronic Arts dual major with honors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Cameron enjoys cooking food for others, riding bikes in all their forms, and re-attempting to play the piano.

Michael P. Rabinovich, VP Creative Development

Michael has an extensive and accomplished track record of developing highly interactive software. Like Cameron, Michael joined OBT having previously developed and sold a successful online business: an entertainment website that catalogued popular content from various other music, movie and celebrity websites. Since then, Michael has developed a number of consumer-oriented web applications for start-ups and Fortune 500 companies.

Prior to joining OBT, Michael most recent work included the development of interactive, web-based promotions for USA Network Interactive Marketing. In addition to developing a workflow that reduced the promotion creation and posting process by a factor of three, Michael also developed a cross-platform video player that is accessed by over 500,000 USA Network website visitors each day.

Michael holds a B.S. in Electronic Arts from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. When he's not cranking out work-of-art interfaces, Michael enjoys making beef jerky, playing guitar, and drumming in a country band.

Armando Di Cianno, VP Software Development

Armando joined OBT with over a decade of experience deploying and developing open source solutions and software. Armando’s extensive list of accomplishments includes founding a consulting firm, the development of video and audio encoding solutions and being an official Gentoo Linux developer. Armando has also collaborated with a number of RPI start-up companies on the development and deployment of streaming media solutions and Linux and Solaris network management software.

Armando is currently on leave from his studies as an Information Technology & Arts major at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Armando is a musician, an avid cook, and a perennial pomegranate wine maker.

Andrew Andkjar, Core Developer

Andrew is a highly talented individual who has developed a variety of academic and commercial software products. During his undergraduate studies, Andrew worked under RPI professor Srinivas Akella on the development of software to facilitate research in multiple robotic coordination in shared environments. For his contribution, Andrew is featured in multiple publications. Most recently, Andrew was a core developer at Mad Doc Software, a premier developer of Triple-A titles for PC and current and next generation video game consoles. During his tenure at Mad Doc, Andrew worked on three shipped titles, including Empire Earth II and Empire Earth II Expansion.

Andrew holds a B.S. (summa cum laude) in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Andrew is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending his free time kayaking in the Adirondacks.

Jack Turner, User Experience Designer

Jack Turner has been designing and developing web applications since the rough and tumble days of the late 90's when he worked for clients like Lillian Vernon and Alec Baldwin. He developed a knack for pairing clear and attractive designs with the technical capabilities of these modern computers. This skill took Jack (trained in the visual arts) into the world of application development when he realized he could make tools for other artists.

Jack worked at Vidvox for five years, growing it from a two person company to a four man S.W.A.T. team while releasing nearly a half dozen programs in the process. Vidvox makes software for live video performances; used on everything from the last Beastie Boys tour to pre-visualizing the edits and effects in motion pictures. While at Vidvox Jack designed, developed, and released the video remixing application GRID in just under two months. Building the website for Vidvox brought Jack back into the world of web development where he still resides to this day.

At OBT Jack's activities include the design and development of the user experience and programming much of the interface of our web applications. He is currently on leave from his studies of art and communication theory at RPI because there is simply too much work to be done.

Adam Grossman, Web Developer

Adam brings to OBT a deep experience in developing open, media-focused web applications and services. Prior to joining OBT Adam enjoyed years of work and play as a freelance developer and entrepreneur. In 2003 Adam co-founded Dailysonic, an audio podcast production company. Dailysonic specialized in producing daily news and entertainment podcasts for which they garnered much recognition, including Yahoo! Pick of The Week. While at Dailysonic, Adam created an innovative library for managing audio content. Called ManglePod, the library allows producers to splice location-specific audio advertising into any audio podcast.

Adam graduated from RPI with a BS in Physics. In his spare time he enjoys blacksmithing and producing beef jerky with Michael.

Thomas Cowan – CEO, Vcommerce Corp.

Tom has over 20 years of experience in financial, operational and CEO roles, with a focus on building and restructuring businesses. Throughout his career, Tom has worked in the technology industry for both large and small companies, public and private alike. Tom’s experience involves building companies of all sizes – from OutlookSoft (less than $100M in revenue) to Tivoli Systems ($100-500M) to the Communications and Media Industry of IBM (over $1B).

Tom also served as Chairman, President and CEO for OutlookSoft Corporation, recently acquired by SAP. There he built OutlookSoft into a significant competitor in the business performance management marketplace and led the company through revenue growth of ten times during his three year tenure as CEO.

John Cavalier – Former Chairman, Mapinfo Corp.

John is the former CEO of five software companies and the most recent Chairman of MapInfo (NASDAQ: MAPS), recently acquired by Pitney Bowes. Prior to joining MapInfo, John was president and CEO of the Antares Alliance Group, a Dallas-based application development tool manufacturer jointly owned by EDS and Amdahl Corporation. During his tenure at Antares, John spearheaded the integration of existing technology to create an innovative, new application development software tool.

John has also served as vice president and general manager for the Apple International division of Apple Computer, Inc., responsible for the Americas, Far East and Africa. At Apple, John was also vice president and general manager of the Personal Computer Division. In addition, John has held CEO positions at three other leading software companies, including a key executive position at Atari.

Gregory Hughes – Graduate Professor, Rensselaer (RPI)

Greg is an executive and proven global leader of profitable billion dollar businesses. Greg has extensive experience leading a wide range of businesses and functional areas including Microelectronics, Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D, Product Management, Professional Services and Program Management. With AT&T for 26 years, Greg served as the CEO of Bell Labs and headed the company’s turnaround during the 1990’s. Additionally, Greg led AT&T’s Network Systems business in over 25 countries during its globalization campaign, at which time he received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award from President Bush in 1992.

Greg is currently a member of the faculty at the RPI Lally School of Management & Technology, where he has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees and Vice Provost of Information Technology.

Tom Newell – Managing Director, Cascadia Capital, LLC

Tom is a Managing Director at Cascadia Capital, a national investment bank structured to meet the needs of emerging growth, business services and manufacturing companies. Tom began his career as an investment banker at Piper Jaffray, where he focused on restaurants, consumer products and specialty retail companies. Tom has also held various corporate operating positions, including CFO, COO and VP of Business and Corporate Development at both new and traditional economy companies.

Most recently, Tom served as CEO of ODS Software, a premier provider of ERP and supply chain management solutions for building materials companies. During his three year tenure as CEO, Tom led ODS through a high-growth phase and ultimately its sale to a larger, strategic acquirer.