Management Team
Ben R. Neumann, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Born and raised in Europe (Germany), Ben Neumann came to the United States in 1994. Ben captained numerous successful Internet ventures, including Globat.com, Icom.com, iBoost.com and DomainsAreFree.com. An original internet pioneer, Ben earned two nominations for Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award to honor his achievements in the technology industry. His leadership skills are backed by a German Business Degree from the Higher Specialized School of Business and Administration as well as 12 black belts in four different martial arts disciplines. Ben is widely considered a business delegation expert and responsible for the overall business strategy, finances and administration at NetDNA.com. Having enjoyed tremendous success in the private sector, Ben also realized that there was more he could offer his community. “Since coming to Los Angeles in 1994, I learned firsthand what it takes to motivate people to be successful, and I will continue to help people lead successful, happier and healthier lives,” Neumann said in a recent interview. Ben currently serves on the board of the Studio City Neighborhood Council and was the council’s President from 2008 to 2010. He also serves on the board of the Studio City Improvement Association, the Studio City Kiwanis, the East Valley YMCA, and recently joined figure skating legend Scott Hamilton on the Board of Governors of the Pituitary Network Association. Ben is actively engaged in cutting-edge charity organizations InformSoft.org and Brigades.org. In his spare time he loves nothing more than enjoying his wonderful family and spending quality time with his four boys.
Chris Ueland, Co-Founder & President
An innovator and an activist, Chris approaches each of his pursuits by asking the question, “How can we help people?” His years as President of Globat.com, which he co-founded with friend and business partner Ben Neumann, helped the company earn numerous awards and recognition. Chris has enjoyed steering more than a few successful companies such as Globat.com, Icom.com, iBoost.com, and DomainsAreFree.com. Chris is a seasoned technology expert and the driving force behind NetDNA’s world-wide, high-speed network. He leads NetDNA’s R&D strategy and continues to build exciting partnerships for the company due to his vast network of close personal relationships. As the Vice President of the Greater Valley Glen Council in the City of Los Angeles from 2008 to 2010, Chris, like his friend, Ben, worked hard and volunteered countless hours to improve the quality of life for the members of his community. Chris is also actively engaged in cutting-edge charity organization InformSoft.org and a partner in Brigades.org. When Chris is not working on growing NetDNA’s network or traveling to meet with business partners, customers or vendors, he enjoys time with his family and hiking with his dog Patch in the Santa Monica Mountains.
David Henzel, Vice President of Marketing
David was Microsoft certified and was helping companies as an outside network administrator, when his first entrepreneurial opportunity came knocking on his door. When one of his customers in Germany, a large tobacco supplier, presented him an offer he couldn’t refuse. The supplier didn’t have an online presence, and asked David to help him set one up. With David at the helm, over a 5 year period, he turned it into one of the most successful online tobacco retailers in Europe. Becoming an expert in online marketing and ecommerce. After achieving more success than he ever anticipated, he began looking for his next challenge. So he sold the business, and moved his family to Los Angeles where he immediately met Chris and Ben who had recently started NetDNA. David immediately recognized the potential of Chris, Ben and their new business. Soon thereafter, David joined NetDNA as Vice President of Marketing and as Chris and Ben’s third partner.
Samir Said, Vice President of Sales
Cited in BusinessWeek as one of Europe’s “Best Entrepreneurs Under 25“, Samir Said has literally spent his entire career in the internet and technology industry. A high energy, fiscally conscious and result oriented executive, Samir Said approaches each new business challenge with creative problem-solving and measured risk-taking to drive consistent bottom-line improvements and returns. With this in mind, he founded his first company together with his two siblings at age 16 selling web hosting services in Europe. Over the years the company grew into what is today known as Ecommerce.com; with more than 500,000 clients it’s one of the worlds 25 largest web hosting companies, employing 150 employees with offices in America, Europe and Asia. Samir helped grow the company into a $15 million dollar business which was profitable since inception. Serving as CFO/CSO, Samir’s responsibilities included ensuring profitability while maintaining 100%+ annual growth rates. Ecommerce.com has repeatedly won industry awards for providing outstanding customer service and made it into the 2003, 2004 and 2005 editions of Inc500, as one of the 500 fastest growing privately-held companies in America. Samir Said holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Vienna University of Economics specializing in IT & Business Process Management. In his spare time Samir enjoys working with young start-ups, passionate entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to help them in their respective business ventures by providing networking opportunities, business guidance and angel investing.
Kevin Meinert, Director of Operations
Kevin recently completed his law degree at Pepperdine University School of Law. Now a licensed California attorney, with an undergraduate business degree from the University of Oregon, Kevin has spent the majority of his working years in the internet technology space. Focused primarily on start-ups, Kevin has filled many roles, initially in marketing and sales before becoming Director of Operations. Kevin has also been involved with IT projects around the world, including working with Televisa on an intellectual property rights management software implementation in Mexico City, and evaluated the investment climate and acquisition opportunities throughout Eastern Europe. Now Kevin brings his business acumen and legal background to compliment the diverse backgrounds and experience of the NetDNA management team. Outside the office, Kevin takes advantage of living in LA, by surfing, golfing, running and yoga.