Caldwell Recruits Chief Product Officer for PE-Backed Jama Software
October 23, 2019 – Toronto-based executive search firm Caldwell has placed Josh Turpen as chief product officer of Jama Software. Managing partner Mercedes Chatfield-Taylor led the assignment. “A key pillar of our growth strategy is bringing onboard executive leaders that will help Jama succeed,” said Scott Roth, CEO of Jama Software.
As Jama’s chief product officer, Mr. Turpen leads the company’s research and development, engineering and product portfolio strategies. His charge is to continue building on Jama’s SaaS technology for requirements, risk and test management. He brings 17 years of industry experience to the company, with a strong background in software development and technology.
Mr. Turpen previously served as chief product officer for Cherwell Technologies, a software provider that empowers organizations to transform their business through the adoption and easy management of digital services. Before that, he held product-focused roles at Cherwell Software, LogicNow and 10-4 Logistics Systems.
Private Equity Backed
Jama Software provides the leading platform for requirements, risk and test management. With Jama Connect and industry-focused services, teams building complex products, systems and software improve cycle times, increase quality, reduce rework and minimize effort proving compliance. Its customer base of more than 600 organizations includes Panasonic, Boston Scientific, Lyft, Deloitte, General Dynamics, Alight and Caterpillar. Jama is backed by Insight Venture Partners, a global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth software companies.
Today’s chief product officer is responsible for all product-related matters, according to recruiters. The post typically includes product conception and development, production, innovation, and project and product management. In many IT/ telecommunications companies, the position includes release management and production. Chief product officers generally work on product strategy based on goals set by the CEO and/ or board members.
Caldwell’s private equity and venture capital practice enlists a group of search consultants who share domain knowledge, relevant search experience and significant operational expertise with the firm’s private equity and venture capital clients. Many of these professionals hold firsthand knowledge of what it takes to succeed in this often challenging and always complicated environment.
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Equally important, Caldwell says it works to understand the backstories of the major players who can move objectives forward and leverages this insight to uncover special talent for the private equity marketplace
Proven Recruiter
Ms. Chatfield-Taylor is managing partner of Caldwell’s private equity and venture capital practice and a member of the firm’s technology, consumer, digital and media teams. She focuses on executive-level search for high-growth technology companies, with deep expertise in B2B SaaS, social, eCommerce, gaming and other transformative technologies. Ms. Chatfield-Taylor has completed more than 50 CEO searches as well as other CXO-level assignments for her clients, with a deep passion and expertise in helping to diversify VC and PE-backed company boards and leadership teams.
She recently filled the CEO positions for Salt Lake City-based Global Access and RxWiki Inc., as well as the chief revenue officer at Spredfast and a board member at Austin-headquartered WP Engine.
“Mercedes is the foremost search professional in the high-growth technology venture capital sector today,” said John Wallace, chief executive officer of Caldwell. “Her reputation for her relentless drive, client commitment and impeccable execution precedes her. For years, Mercedes has served in an advisory capacity to a roster of top-tier venture capital and private-equity firms, assisting her clients and their portfolio companies in recruiting leaders focused on value creation. She is comfortable serving as a behind-the-scenes executive coach to early stage founders and as a trusted advisor to public company boards of directors,” he said.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
