Board of Advisors
One element of Blue Door Networks’ commitment to quality and success is our world class Advisory Board that includes previous executive leadership positions with a number of our technology partners. The following people serve on the Blue Door Networks Board of Advisors.
Managing Partner
Mariposa Consulting, LLC
Mr. Thurk is currently the managing partner for Mariposa Consulting, LLC. From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Thurk served as Chief Operating Officer and member of the board at Avaya, Inc. He also held the position of President, Global Communications Solutions and Group Vice President, Systems after joining Avaya in 2002.
Mr. Thurk brings thirty-two years of experience in the telecommunications, data networks, optical networks and IP communications industries. In addition to Avaya, he has also held management positions at Ericsson and several U.S. data communications companies. At Ericsson,he was Executive Vice President, Division Data Backbone and Optical Networks and President, Ericsson Datacom, Inc. Before Ericsson, Mr. Thurk was President of Xyplex Networks and a Vice President with General DataComm. Prior to that, he worked for Digital Equipment Corporation,in various senior roles and as a Vice President responsible for enterprise network related businesses. Mr. Thurk retired as a Director of Acme Packet, Inc., a company specializing in session border control solutions, in September 2010.
Extensive general management experience at large worldwide technology-focused companies provides Mr. Thurk with the ability to contribute significantly to strategic, technology and operational directions.
Mr. Thurk holds a BS in Computer Science from Purdue University, an MBA from Babson College, and completed the Advanced Management Program at INSEADin France.
Mr. Stitt co-founded Extreme Networks in May 1996 and served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Extreme Networks, Inc. from its formation until August 2006. Prior to forming Extreme, in 1989, Mr. Stitt co-founded Network Peripherals, Inc., a pioneer in high speed networking. He served as Vice President of Marketing, then as Vice President and General Manager of the OEM Business Unit until 1995.
Mr. Stitt has served on the Board of Directors for Extreme Networks, and several private companies including RGB Networks, Skyfire Labs and Barracuda Networks. He also serves as chair of the Industry Advisory Board for the Computer Engineering Department at Santa Clara University.
Mr. Stitt holds a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Santa Clara University and a Masters in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business of the University of California, Berkeley.
Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer
The Carlyle Group
As Carlyle’s Chief Accounting Officer, Mr. Buser has overall responsibility for the financial reporting for the firm and its funds. Carlyle’s accounting group is comprised of approximately 170 individuals.
The Carlyle Group is one of the world’s largest private equity firms, with approximately $150 billion under management. With 86 funds and 49 fund of funds vehicles across four business segments (corporate privateequity, real assets, global market strategies and fund of funds solutions), Carlyle combines global vision with local insight, relying on a team of more than 500 investment professionals operating out of offices in 34 countries across six continents.
Prior to joining Carlyle, Mr. Buser was an audit partner with Ernst & Young LLP. Prior to joining Ernst & Young, he was an audit partner with Arthur Andersen LLP.
Mr. Buser is a 1985 graduate of Georgetown University. He has served on the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council and as a board member for the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Northern Virginia Family Services.