Executive Leadership

Zach Britton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Zach has managed Front Porch’s growth from its early startup stage to its current industry leading position as the largest browser-based messaging company in the world. Along the way, Zach co-invented the core PageMelding patent that undergirds Front Porch’s technology and services.

Prior to starting Front Porch, Zach built, managed and sold a regional ISP and community portal. Zach is a recognized author and speaker on issues related to the Internet, online safety, and online advertising. Zach holds a Masters Degree in International Business from the University of California at San Diego.

When not online, Zach enjoys gardening, hiking, fishing and camping with his family.

Derek Maxson, Founder

Derek’s business and technical expertise and visionary insights have enabled Front Porch to continually bring Internet providers multiple new streams of revenue.  Derek co-authored Front Porch’s cornerstone patent on content personalization in 1998. He has been a speaker at industry events and participates in various associations in the cable, telco and wireless markets. Derek likes to play basketball, mountain bike and play guitar. He lives with his wife and three daughters in central California.

Ned Sudduth, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing

Since joining Front Porch in 2003, Ned has directed multiple Front Porch software development and partner programs. Ned currently leads our global sales and marketing teams and is responsible for ensuring successful customer on-boarding and initial customer use case implementation, BSS/OSS integrations, as well as corporate marketing and public relations.

Prior to joining Front Porch, Ned held product management positions in a variety of internet software firms in Silicon Valley managing the development of web-based software solutions. Ned has served in the United States Navy and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University, East Bay.

Jim Owen, General Manager of SimplePath, a Division of Front Porch, Inc.

Jim currently works on new projects with the Founders and Front Porch team. Previously Jim was the Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for planning, coordinating and executing the company’s strategic business goals and tactical unit objectives by performing duties personally or through staff members of Front Porch.

Jim brings over a 25 years of solid operational and project management experience to Front Porch.  Previously employed by the military and as a consultant to Bell Atlantic (Verizon), Jim performed in various management and leadership roles.  Jim helped lead Bell Atlantic’s successful ADSL deployment into more than 1000 central offices in one year.  Additionally, Jim has served as a United States Army Officer on active duty, in the reserves, and in the California National Guard.

Jim holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics from the University of California at Davis.