My life is about to get a big shakeup. I’ve accepted an offer at San Francisco based Vast.com, after spending nearly four valuable years at the Sydney office of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
New job, new industry, new city, new country.
In the last few years, I’ve come out of nowhere (meaning no idea how!) to become a person driving a global industry movement (the DataPortability Project) and a recognised champion for my nation’s Internet industry (Silicon Beach). Ironically, I don’t have a computer software background (I’m a chartered accountant), and I don’t work directly in tech (I’ve worked in financial services) So this transition is a realignment in my life, that I hope will bring me closer to doing what I’ve recognised is my true passion: building Internet companies that add value to our world.
What will I be doing?
Reporting to the CEO, I’ll be managing the overall finance and accounting functions of the company. However with time and as the company grows, I’ll be taking on additional responsibilities that can extend my current skill-base and experience. I’m thankful that the CEO Kevin Laws (one of the smartest guys in any room – seriously!), the chairman Naval Ravikant (one of the most successful Valley entrepreneurs around – 15 companies and counting!), and Director of Product Steve Greenberg (wisest guy I’ve ever met – both in insight and wit) believe in me and want to help me reach my potential…whatever that may be. Vast.com has an exciting business model with a veteran executive team – I don’t know where my future is headed but I know it’s in good hands.
So are you giving up on Australia?
No way! In fact, I think my presence in Silicon Valley is going to allow me to extend the Silicon Beach effort. I will have a permanent couch reserved for all of Australia’s tech entrepreneurs (well if I can – housing and room-mate pending!) and I’ll be developing my expertise from the world’s best to share back with my compatriots. I do hope one day to return to Australia and I have plenty of reason to do so – my family is in Sydney as are my half-dozen best friends who quite literally are the best mates a guy could have. I’ll still be doing the Silicon Beach podcast’s and whatever else I can to keep me connected to Australia – socially, professionally, spiritually – but having said that though, it may be a while before I do come back. I’ve got a hell of a lot to learn first!
This is a move that I hope will position me for bigger and better things. Its been a very hard decision to give up my near perfect life in Sydney, but I’m also very excited about the opportunities possible in my new position. Living overseas is something everyone needs to do in their lifetime for their own personal growth, and working in Silicon Valley is something I had to do (or as my new boss Kevin has said repeatedly now, “you belong here”), otherwise I’d forever regret not doing it.
I’ve still got a month to wind up things here in Sydney but I plan to be in San Francisco by 1 August 2009 at the latest. For those in Australia, I hope I get to catch you all before I go. For the American’s: be warned – trouble’s coming. 🙂
Wish me luck!
Congrats on the new job and the move, Elias – very excited for you and will be keen to follow your progress over there 🙂
Hey Elias,
Welcome to the Aussie Invasion. I’m based out of Chicago!
Let me know if you want cntacts in SF….
All the best mate! I’m sure you will make this move a success.
Congrats on the new move Elias. Kick ass and enjoy the new city.
Congrats! Sounds like a great opportunity. Elias.
Wow, congratulations mate! Look out San Fran!
Might have to take you up on the couch offer sometime 🙂
Elias
Great move mate!
Going to the Valley at a perfect time. Good to see you going with gut feeling. That’s what it all comes down to in this game.
Best
Nick Gonios
Elias,
you will be missed dude, who am I going to share all the cool stuff we are working on with??
I wish you luck, although not that you will need it, this stuff is in your blood, your ether. All the best
Hey Elias! Great stuff!! It sounds like you’re shifting towards yourself…it just happens to be in another part of the globe. That is wonderful. I wish you all the best with your future.
Hey man, congratulations.
Glad to hear you are following you own path.
Catch you next time I’m in SF.
K
Congrats!
Best of luck, sounds like an awesome opportunity!
Thanks for all the comments everyone! It’s appreciated 🙂
Just catching up on this great news Elias – well done. I enjoyed listening to you and meeting you at last years’s BarCamp and look forward to next week’s too.
It will be an awesome experience in the USA – all the best!
Cheers
Tony
Elias, this is super, Congrats! You’re going to do great things, I know it!
Good Luck Mate
Congratulations
Exciting stuff, Elias!
Congrats on making the move and following your passion.
Enjoy the ride.
Dude, let’s hang out before you bounce! Much to talk about!
Can’t wait till you leave so I can crash on that couch you promise!
Very exciting mate. Look forward to seeing you soon.
Elias, you and I share a similar background. I led Information Management at BearingPoint, now Deloitte. I recently moved to San Francisco to join Power.com. I am an Australian permanent resident; most of my family is in Melbourne. Looking forward to working with you on data portability.
Hi, good luck mate. They say a goal without a plan is just a wish, so you will go far I am sure!
I would like to think PwC taught you something but in many ways, you probably showed us more than vice versa. Your wikis will live on.
I will keep pushing the Innovation barrow with Lynette so who knows we may cross paths in business sometime soon. Till then I will keep a look out for your various “techs messages”
Andrew
Elias
What great news.. well for you anyway, not for us. You will be missed… I hope you take some good memories with you and you can really help the world realise that accountants aren’t all boring!!!
If you are in SF .. make sure you try and hook into Frog Design.. they are people like you. Here is their website… if you need an intro let me know.
http://www.frogdesign.com/
Keep in touch …
Lynette