This is our monthly feature where we recap the biggest tech hires and promotions in Chicago over the past month. Want daily updates on personnel moves, fundings and other Chicago tech news? Sign up for our daily newsletter, The Beat.
Chicago startup HealthJoy, a healthcare engagement platform that helps employees make better healthcare decisions, has hired Sajal Dam as it VP of engineering. He recently served as vice president of software development at APEX Analytix, and before that worked at Microsoft, Gordmans, Dell and Fanatics.
Chicago venture firm Hyde Park Venture Partners made two executive promotions this month. Jackie DiMonte was promoted to vice president. DiMonte joined HPVP as an associate in 2016 and was promoted to senior associate in 2017. Greg Barnes was promoted to partner. Barnes joined HPVP in 2014 as a principal and third team member.
SpotHero announced further expansion into Canada this month, growing its presence in Toronto with the hire of Patrick Szwec, who will serve as general manager and oversee the Chicago parking startup's Canadian operations. SpotHero also announced a new partnership with the Toronto Pearson International Airport, which will help travelers find affordable parking at the airport.
Lightstream, a Chicago startup that makes it easier for people to produce livestream video, announced it has named Sundance DiGiovanni to its board of directors. DiGiovanni is the co-founder of Major League Gaming, the first televised video game console gaming league in the United States. In February, Lightstream raised $8 million in a round led by Columbus-based Drive Capital.
Groupon announced that it hired Craig Rowley, formerly the vice president of marketing at REI, to be its next chief marketing officer. Rowley, an experienced marketing exec with a track record of creative campaigns, helped conceptualize REI’s #optoutside campaign, a company-wide initiative in which REI closed its stores on Black Friday to encourage people to go outside.
Lisle, IL-based ExteNet Systems named Garth Williams its executive VP and chief financial officer. ExteNet, a wireless-infrastructure company, is valued at more than $1 billion.
Atlanta-based VC firm Shadow Ventures announced it hired Nick Durham as a senior associate, and he will help lead the firm's expanding presence in Chicago. Durham previously worked at BuiltWorlds, and before that was the director of marketing at Chicago startup PrintWithMe.
ServerCentral Turing Group, a Chicago-based IT infrastructure service provider, hired Thomas Johnson as its chief information security officer. Johnson also currently serves as an adjunct professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology in its Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics department, and has 25 years of experience in information security.
Eat Purely, a Chicago-based healthy meal delivery service, named Christina Klinepeter as its next CEO. She joined Eat Purely in 2018 to lead its marketing efforts. Also, Sarah Benson, a chef who trained at The French Laundry, was named the startup's Culinary Director.
