Brocade Communications Systems

Neal Dempsey joined Bay Partners in 1989 after a varied business career including five years as chief executive officer of Qubix Graphics Systems,... one year as chief executive of Envision Technology, and several senior management positions with Zentec and Harris Corporation Through cycles of change, Neal’s investment thesis has been to find entrepreneurs with domain expertise and the fine art of listening. At the end of the day, customers decide whether startups will succeed or not and without listening to customers, entrepreneurs are seldom successful. This thesis has served him well through investments in category creating companies like Brocade, Informatica and Shiva. Neal balances the stresses of his workload by giving back to the community.  In addition to serving as Managing General Partner at Bay, he serves on the Board of EMQ Children and Family Services . His leadership helped establish the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program at the University of Washington Business School. He made the largest gift ever from an alumnus to the University of Washington. Last but not least, Neal is a passionate college sports fan. He is very actively involved with The University of Washington basketball and football programs. To support these athletic programs at his alma matter, Neal sponsored the Dempsey Indoor Training Stadium at the University of Washington.
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