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Summary

As a globetrotting purveyor of international and China business, I've had the pleasure of (and jet lag from) traveling to 45 countries globally and more than 15 provinces within mainland China. My passion is in growing new ventures and solving problems on the global stage.

Currently I am balancing my time between two businesses that form a "bridge" between the U.S. and China--I'm the founder and CEO of NetBridge Global, a corporate advisory firm that helps companies build successful businesses in China. I'm also the co-founder and Managing Partner at TrustUS LLC, a firm that matches qualified Chinese investors with the highest quality investment projects in the U.S.

With start-ups like NComputing or industry leaders like Intel, I have had the pleasure of working through direct reports or cross-functional teams to start new business ventures, both in emerging markets and China.

I have an MBA from Haas Berkeley and a B.A. in economics from Pomona College and currently call California my home (at least for the moment).

My passions are fueled by relationships, so if I can't help you, I'm sure I know somebody that can. You can reach me at mark@beckford.net and find my social stuff here at http://about.me/mbeckford.

Specialties: global business/market/channel development, corporate strategy, marketing, sales, entrepreneurship, employee development, corporate communications, business plans, social media.

    Recommendations

    Excerpts from recommendations and endorsements on my LinkedIn profile

    • "Mark is a highly-driven and energetic leader with an impressive ability to maximize the performance of his managers and his teams." Former direct report Doug Findlay
    • "As a result of his leadership, Mark’s organization became known as one of the strongest strategic groups in the channel and successfully launched breakthrough programs that are still running 5+ years later." Former direct report Elizabeth Broers
    • "Able to work across teams and cultures with ease, Mark continously raised the bar for the local (China) teams and his abililty to think on his feet resulted in significant gains."  Former colleague Jason Fedder
    • "Probably the best compliment I can give him is that if I had it to do over, I would join his team again in a heart beat. Great manager, great leader.”  Former direct report, John Teeple
    • "Mark is a passionate visionary who throws himself fully into anything he does. He exudes unbounded enthusiasm and has an energy level unmatched by anyone I have met at Intel." Former colleague Carolyn Pan
    • "I highly recommend Mark to any ... company looking for a person who can set strategy and ensure it is implemented."  Former colleague James Kyle
    To view the full text of the recommendations, please click here.  Click here for additional quotes/recommendations.

    References

    Jim Yasso

    Jim was VP/GM of Intel's channel business group.  He promoted me to the Director of Channel Marketing position and he was extremely supportive of my "intrapreneurial" spirit.

    Sophia Chew

    Sophia and I worked as peers for most of my career at Intel in channels and emerging markets. When I first met her, she headed up our channel operations for Asia out of Singapore and we worked together to expand Intel's channel presence in emerging markets.

    Ian Yang

    Ian has run China sales and marketing and overseen tremendous growth for Intel for more than 10 years now.

    Tom Kilroy

    I worked with Tom for about five years before I went to China.  He is a very senior VP at Intel (reports to the CEO and runs one of the biggest divisions at Intel).

    Jim Jarrett

    Jim headed up Intel's global government & public affairs, and he was the first President for Intel in China in the mid 90's.  I worked closely with him and his team on various joint initiatives and alliances, including World Ahead.

    Keynote & Press Expertise

    Quotes & Recommendations

    Work History Highlights

    My Blog

    Work experience

    Jul 2011Present

    Founder and CEO

    NetBridge Global, Inc.

    NetBridge Global is an international business development firm co-located in San Francisco, Beijing and Shanghai that helps US technology companies grow their business in China. Select client projects include:

    • China partner introductions for an online social network for entrepreneurs. 
    • Comprehensive market analysis and market entry plan for a leading cloud file-sharing company. 
    • Restructuring of the City of San Francisco‘s China trade and investment program.
    Jun 2013Present

    Founder and Managing Partner

    TrustUS LLC

    TrustUS LLC matches qualified high net-worth Chinese investors with high-quality investment opportunities and professional services in the real estate, venture capital, education and healthcare sectors.

    • Conceived business model and plan resulting in signing three Chinese investors.
    • Secured U.S. and China partners and developed new channel with wealth management firms.
    • Hosted investor visits to U.S.
    Nov 2009Jun 2011

    VP/GM of Greater China Sales and Marketing

    NComputing

    Responsible for establishing a team and growing and developing NComputing's sales and channels in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) delivering $600K in revenue in the first nine months of sales.

    • Signed the #1 distributor (Digital China) and #1 server distributor (Power Leader) for multi-year partnership agreements, developing >50 channel partners and a quarterly pipeline > $1M.
    • Successfully negotiated and developed a strong strategic alliance with China's Central Ministry of Education resulting in a joint MOU and participation in a billion dollar, nationwide rural school computerization project.
    • Secured a silicon design win with Tsinghua TongFang, the 3rd largest OEM for desktop PC’s in China. 
    20082009

    VP of Global Business Development

    NComputing

    Developed more than 40 large deals  with ministry-level government engagement, scaling business through local and strategic partnerships (e.g.Haier, Dell, LG, Cisco) and flagship development agencies (e.g. UN, World Bank).

    • Defined and delivered 2009 business development restructuring, creating disciplined approach and from chaos. Doubled pipeline of deals in large education / government tenders and tripled opportunity to >$50M.
    • Resurrected and won $1M+ education deployment in Macedonia. Revitalized local government / partner relationships; negotiated exclusive reseller agreement with a large Chinese multi-national company.
    Dec 20062008

    Managing Director, Strategic Business Development

    Intel Corporation

    Recruited by Intel China VP/GM to restore Intel’s market share position in Internet Cafés, one of China’s largest defined computer segments.  (Share had plummeted from ~70% to ~30% in just three years.) 

    Revenue and Market-Share Growth

    • Delivered $80M in incremental revenue and doubled market share to 60% within one year, by rapidly developing a turnaround strategy and leading a team of 10 functional managers and 150 sales staff.
    • Drove positioning, pricing, and co-marketing strategies to expand market coverage, while leveraging partner alliances to achieve 4X increase in sales coverage.

    Brand and Visibility Building

    Improved product preference and regained brand leadership:

    • Grew positive press from 50 to 500 articles over six months.
    • Sponsored 500 seminars, conferences, and training programs across >20 provinces.

    Strategic Alliances

    Charged by GM to setup semi-governmental consortium to influence Chinese government’s energy policies.

    • Steered startup of the China Electronics Energy Savings Council (CEESC), a consortium of top government, industry, and academia focusing on energy-savings policies for high-tech products.
    • Built alliances with iCafé industry associations, government entities, and franchisers to align policies.
    Feb 2005Nov 2006

    General Manager, Emerging Markets Platforms Group

    Intel Corporation

    Started a new business venture in China to build and sell computer products designed specifically for the unique challenges in developing nations.

    • Delivered >500,000 PC sales in 2006, with expected annual doubling/tripling of growth.
    • Grew revenue to >$75M for 2006 with business plan to reach $500M by 2010.
    • Established HQ in Shanghai and four design centers in China, India, Africa, and South America.
    • Directly managed 150+ employees in marketing, engineering, and product design, and drove >100 matrixed sales teams across 15 countries.

    In parallel, Executive Sponsor for Intel's World Ahead initiative to bring computer affordability, connectivity, and education to one billion new users in developing nations.

    • Built strategic plan for $1B program that reinvigorated Intel’s thought leadership.
    • Launched the initiative in 15 countries with partnerships with local and global PC and software vendors, NGOs, mobile and telecommunication companies, and financial institutions.
    • Drove expansion of PC training program to 10M teachers and donation of 100,000 PCs to schools.
    • With cabinet-level ministers of education and information technology:

    − Drove a 5 year, $30M joint venture in China to bring PCs to 800M people in rural villages.

    − Won $12M deal for 400,000 PCs in Mexico.

    − Launched Computers for All Nigerians with Nigerian President Obasanjo.

    Note: Intel subsequently reorganized sales force based on World Ahead's success.

    Apr 2003Jan 2006

    Chief of Staff to VP of Sales/Marketing

    Intel Corporation

    Advisor and key executive to the Senior VP (one of top 15 at Intel) in managing operations for a $35B business / 5000-person sales & marketing team. Drove strategy, planning, and ops for VP-level staff.

    • Drove corporate-level strategic projects, including a five-year business plan to reach $50B in revenue and a strategic plan to expand Intel's global operations.
    • Drafted, prepared, and approved VP's internal / public communications, including keynote speeches, internal senior executive presentations, written articles, and press interviews.
    • Exposed to the inner workings of the CEO office and the entire sales and marketing organization.
    • Competitively selected for this position (an executive development program), which was instrumental to promotion to General Manager.
    Oct 2000Mar 2003

    Director of Marketing, Reseller Products Group (RPG)

    Intel Corporation

    Managed $4B channel marketnig business and worldwide staff of ~100 regional marketing personnel:

    • Achieved double-digit channel sales growth while the overall industry stagnated, growing channel's share of Intel's desktop chip revenue from ~25% to 40%.
    • Tripled the number of system builders affiliated with Intel, from 40,000 to 120,000.
    • Delivered 4X increase in emerging market cities with an Intel "presence" (from 150 to 600 cities).
    • Spiked Intel’s market share from high 60s to high 70s in developing countries.
    • Drove strategic effort that tripled marketing budget in a period of major corporate budget cuts.
    Nov 1997Sep 2000

    Marketing Manager, Worldwide Server Channels

    Intel Corporation
    • Led worldwide marketing campaigns and programs to grow server channel business.
    • Drove a 10X growth in Intel’s server channel business worldwide from 1997 to 2000.
    • Promoted in 1999 to manage the server marketing team.
    Jun 1996Oct 1997

    Strategic Marketing Analyst

    Intel Corporation
    • Established market research function supporting strategic activities & market modeling.
    • Conceived and developed a research web engine that is still used today companywide.
    Jun 1992May 1994

    Quality Assurance, Product Management, and Information Systems

    DAVID CORPORATION

    Risk management software development company

    Jul 1989May 1992

    Senior Analyst

    FREEMAN & MILLS, INC.

    Management consulting firm

    Provided consulting services to corporate management and law firms.

    Education

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