Charles J. Simon

Community Advocate and BSEE, MSCS, Nationally-Recognized Software Developer
Spokane, WA

Originally from San Francisco, California, Charles has co-founded three pioneering technology companies as President and VP of Engineering. The most recent was GiftSpot.com, a startup in Seattle, WA. GiftSpot.com was acquired by GiftCertificates.com in New York, NY, initially raising $50 million in capital. GiftCertificates.com has become the leading e-commerce provider of gift products for the consumer and corporate markets. Also, he created and managed Continuum the multi-million dollar flagship product line for Bentley Systems, Inc., the global leader in the development of professional engineering software products headquartered in Exton, PA. Bentley Systems has annual revenues surpassing $500 million. Additionally, at the age of 22, Charles founded a CAD for printed-circuit company located in Santa Clara, CA. The customer base included the Stanford Linear Accelerator and distribution partnerships such as McDonnell Douglas. During his ten years as CEO, he was noted for two generations of CAD software. Considered an industry expert, he was contracted by New York publisher, Van Nostrand Reinhold to write the book on CAD for Printed Circuit Design. Professional highlights include managing a major development project for 2Wire, Inc., a Venrock and Oak Investments venture-backed startup based in San Jose, CA. Also, Charles managed the Microsoft/NBC (MSNBC.com) Internet site total redesign. MSNBC.com located in Redmond, WA. is the largest news site on the web. Recently he was nominated for a Microsoft Alumni Fellow Award. Charles received a BSEE/Computer Science from the University of California at Davis and completed Stanford University’s AEA Executive Institute. In 1993 he earned a Masters in Computer Science from Washington State University with specialization in software engineering. Personal interests include philanthropy with organizations such as the MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture), Mobius Science Center, the Spokane Symphony and the Spokane Library Foundation in Spokane, WA. He also received the 2010 City of Spokane Individual Benefactor's Award.