WATERLOO and SAN FRANCISCO — Canadian mobile virtual network operator TextNow announced Thursday Paul Schaut (above) has joined the company’s board of directors.
The veteran technology executive has more than 35 years of experience in the tech industry and excels at working with growth-stage companies, says the news release. Schaut is an eight-time CEO and has served on 18 professional boards. As an outside director, he helped to position email marketing firm Constant Contact for an IPO and eventual $1.3-billion sale, championed the repositioning of behavioural data platform ShareThis, and helped to navigate the sale of digital marketing agency iCrossing to Hearst Corporation, says the release.
“Paul’s vast experience will be invaluable to TextNow and our senior leadership team,” said Derek Ting, CEO of TextNow, in the release. “We’re proud of our success over the past 10 years, building a profitable business that helps millions of people every day stay connected to loved ones, employers, and essential services. As we look to the future, we look forward to benefiting from Paul’s strategic counsel and entrepreneurial spirit as we continue to scale and capitalize on growth opportunities.”
Schaut added: “I’m inspired by TextNow’s mission to provide affordable phone service to everyone, and it’s a testament to the company’s innovation that they’ve been able to rapidly gain market share in the very competitive telecom space,” said Schaut. “The exceptional product offering shows massive potential in the current environment and I’m thrilled to be working with Derek and the leadership team to take TextNow to new levels.”
As a member of the board, Schaut will provide in-house guidance to TextNow executives as the company expands and grows, iterates product offerings and bridges into new markets. Schaut is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in the U.S. and has served on MIT’s Martin Trust for Entrepreneurship and the Massachusetts High Technology Council. Schaut has a business degree from San Jose University and lives outside Boston with his family.
