Jake Weatherly the CEO of identity verification software maker SheerID is this year’s Sam Blackman Award winner from the Technology Association of Oregon.
The annual award celebrates the legacy of Elemental Technologies co-founder and late CEO Sam Blackman, who cared deeply about Portland, his community and making sure that his business had a positive impact.
Weatherly co-founded SheerID in 2011 in Eugene before moving the HQ to Portland. The company makes software used by brands, like Amazon, Nike and Spotify to verify consumer identities and market discount deals to groups such as teachers, students, military and first responders.
“I’m proud of the fact that SheerID helps people who make our communities a better place — like teachers, health care professionals, and veterans — get easier access to products, services and experiences from global brands,” said Weatherly in a written statement. “Not only do we enable brands to give back to tens of millions of individuals who are the backbone in all of our communities, but we also do so as a company.
"Receiving this year’s Sam Blackman Award reminds me that continuing his legacy and passion for the natural beauty of Oregon, technology entrepreneurship, social justice, and our children is a responsibility for all of us to foster and grow.”
Weatherly will receive this award at an award ceremony Sept. 26 at the Benson Hotel. In past years the Sam Blackman Award and other individual awards given to community members by TAO have been part of the annual Oregon Tech Awards that also honors companies for their achievements. However, this year, TAO has separated the awards to honor different kinds of winners. This new event is dubbed Individual Oregon Tech Awards.
“Since the early days of SheerID, Jake Weatherly's leadership has been characterized by investors and employees as remarkably consistent, genuine, humble and inspiring," said Skip Newberry, TAO president and CEO, in a written statement. "He has worked to position the company as a national leader in identity marketing, and while doing so, has remained committed to a number of local community causes, both in Eugene and statewide."
Past winners include ZoomInfo CEO Henry Schuck, CEO of Zapproved Monica Enand, CEO of PacStar Communications Peggy Miller, and CEO of nLight Scott Keeney.
