Name.Space Executive Team
Paul Garrin, Founder
Paul Garrin founded Name.Space and provides the direction required to pursue its goals. Having built multiple companies and technologies from the ground up both with teams and on his own, Paul has the proven discipline, ability, and wisdom to run Name.Space and to establish the professional and political relationships required to ensure a successful venture.
Paul graduated from the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art with a degree in Fine Arts. Throughout his career as a renowned media artist Paul developed skills in real-time computer interactive systems and display, Internet network architecture, UNIX system administration and networking, information design, and computer security. He launched Name.Space in 1996 to offer alternatives to the then-government-run TLDs, which were limited, expensive, and took weeks to acquire. In 1999, Paul collaborated in the creation of the first SSL/PGP encrypted web-based email service (called LokMail), which was lauded in Forbes Magazine (2005) by former National Security Agency Chief Lt. General Kenneth Minihan as being "a generation ahead of its time".
In 2002 Paul founded WiFi-NY.net, a local community-based alternative last-mile wireless provider in New York City. He created the information architecture, business model, network architecture, network management system, security system, and billing system that enables WiFi-NY members full self-service subscription and account renewal capabilities without the need for monthly billing and collections. WiFi-NY launched in September 2003 and provides its members full access to utilize NAME.SPACE Top Level Domains.Writings by and about Mr. Garrin appear in numerous books, periodicals, and publications in print and digital media worldwide; his artworks have been exhibited and broadcast worldwide; he has been a UNESCO fellow in Media Art (1992), the recipient of numerous grants and awards for his achievements in art and technology including the Prix Ars Electronica (1997-98), ZKM Media Art Prize (1992), New York State Council on the Arts Media Grant (1990), New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship (1988) and is included in the Cooper Union Alumni Hall of Fame, having received the 2001 Presidential Citation for outstanding attainments and contributions to his profession.
Alex Mashinsky, CEO
Born into Communism, reared under Socialism, and now thriving under Capitalism, Alex Mashinsky has become one of the most recognized figures in the New York entrepreneurial scene. As the Managing Partner of Governing Dynamics, an early stage venture capital firm, Alex founded several companies including GroundLink in 2005, Transit Wireless in 2004, Elematics in 2000, and Arbinet in 1996. Combining the unique talents of business strategist and technological innovator Alex is continuing to invent new web & communications technologies. A featured speaker at over 120 international communications conferences and TV interviews, and the author of over 50 patents relating to exchanges, VOIP, messaging and communication.
Alex has received numerous awards for innovation including being nominated twice by E&Y as entrepreneur of the year in 2002 & 2011, Crain's 2010 Top Entrepreneur and the prestigious 2000 Albert Einstein Technology medal and the Technology Foresight Award for Innovation (presented in Geneva at Telecom 99).
Alex is considered to be one of the pioneers of VOIP, with foundational patents dating back to 1994 many of today's hardware and software designs originated from these early ideas. As the leading evangelist of web based exchanges alex authored patents that cover aspects of the Smart Grid , Ad exchanges, Groupon, Twitter, Skype and many other top performing web companies.
Alex has proven his ability to identify winning trends, build a powerful intellectual property portfolio and bring together winning teams to build world-class companies. He has raised over $250m in venture and private equity funds to help position his startups as leaders in their fields. Arbinet fundraising was documented in an HBS case study in 2001.
Al Vazquez, CTO
As CTO, Al Vazquez provides Name.Space with strong technical leadership cultivated through years of formal training and real-world experience. His experience successfully leading software development efforts for multi-million dollar clients has demonstrated his ability to lead varied teams of professionals, manage multiple modern technology platforms, and maintain productive and profitable relationships. As a geek that can reach across the table to engage clients, partners, and engineers alike, Al ensures Name.Space works efficiently and directly towards its goals with the best team of professionals possible.
Al is a passionate lifelong technologist with a professional background as a software engineer and architect. He earned his Bachelor's in Philosophy and Computer Science from SUNY Geneseo. Prior to joining Name.Space he held lead programmer, analyst, and software engineering management positions. His experience spans companies of all sizes, from software startups to world-class financial institutions and he has overseen the birth and growth of software systems, engineering teams, and client relationships.