Congrats to the Utah Business Forty Under 40!

Utah Business Magazine has released their “Forty Under 40” selections for this year.  Most of them I’ve heard of, some of them I haven’t even heard of their companies, a few of them are friends of mine:

Steve Spencer

President, Twelve Horses North America, LLC | Age: 37 | First Job: Bagger at Albertsons | Last Book Read: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson | Favorite Utah Diversion: “I absolutely love my snowboard!”

Though Steve Spencer has spent 17 years in the technology industry, he remains excited about innovation. As president and CTO of interactive and social marketing agency Twelve Horses, Spencer finds ways to generate buzz about companies by creatively leveraging technology. He is also motivated by igniting that innovative spark in others. “I get to see people’s eyes light up. Whenever I am in a room and really get passionate about what we can do, and I can sense that tipping point…when the skeptics really get it and light up and start nodding their heads in excitement, it makes me smile.” Spencer is also active in the Utah Technology Council and the Utah Entrepreneurs Organization.

Steve makes a lot of exceptional efforts in trying to help the tech community in Utah.  He (personally and through 12 Horses) has sponsored several local events and runs the Utah Tech Spotlight blog/event.  Since getting to know Steve, I have found him to be extremely insightful, very intelligent and up to date on technology and very willing to help just about anyone out.  Steve is a perfect selection for this list!

Randall B. Bateman

Founder and President, Bateman IP Law Group | Age: 39 | Favorite Movie: The Bourne Supremacy | Favorite Utah Diversion: “Schooling the other employees of Bateman IP Law Group on the Slick Track at Boondocks.”

After realizing his partners at a former firm did not have the same goals and direction he desired, Rand Bateman ventured out to form Bateman IP Law Group, a legal firm focusing on intellectual property issues. Many of the firm’s clients are admittedly young, growing companies, Bateman says. “It is a good feeling to have [new products] hit the market and know that you had a part in it. It is an even better feeling when our client’s intellectual property position helps it successfully compete against large corporations… It is always a pleasure to help David successfully compete against Goliath.” Bateman’s practice focuses on patent preparation and litigation which has resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements.

Rand is awesome!  As attorneys go, he’s one in a million. :)  Several times Rand has happily dished for me on IP issues, providing good insight and direction (if I ever get around to filing these patents, he’ll be the one I use!).  He maintains an excellent blog providing keen insight on Intellectual Property issues including a cool feature where he selects and highlights recent patent and/or trademark filings for Utah.  

Josh Coates

Founder, Mozy, Inc. | Age: 34 | Last Book Read: Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks | Favorite Utah Diversion: Sundance

“I like building things – especially things that are big or interesting,” says Josh Coates. It is pretty clear, then, why Coates was able to build Mozy.com, a data backup provider for individuals and organizations. In 2004, Josh relocated his family to Highland after developing his career in Silicon Valley. The following year he founded Berkeley Data Systems (Mozy.com.) Within two years, Mozy had grown to serve more than 300,000 customers, including 8,000 business contracts. In October of 2007, Mozy was sold to EMC for $76 million and is now run as a wholly owned subsidiary of EMC.

Josh is one rad dude!  Over the last couple years, he has graciously met with me for several hours in his office, during his work day listening to my ideas and providing me with great direction.  Josh tells it like it is, and I love that about him.  I’ve been very grateful to him for the advice and direction he has provided me with in the past.  While I’m extremely jealous of his success (we’re the same age – sheesh!) I’m very happy for him that Mozy has been so successful – I’m excited to see what he does next!

 I’m sure the other winners are great guys too, but these three are top notch and Utah Business Magazine did a good job picking them – congratulations guys!