Jeff Black (businessman)
Jeffery D. Black | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Jeff Black |
| Occupation(s) | Technology executive, programmer, inventor |
| Known for | CEO of Internet Marketing Inc., founder of iAtlas, Hotels.com, Resorts.com, TalkPlus; creation of AltaVista |
| Notable work | AltaVista, Hotels.com, Resorts.com, TalkPlus |
Jeffery D. "Jeff" Black is a prominent American executive specializing in the information technology industry, holding positions as both a chief executive officer and chief strategy officer. In addition to his leadership roles, he is an accomplished programmer and inventor, credited with six patents.
Biography
Black pursued studies in both business and computer science, with a focus that included artificial intelligence programming. He began his career in 1984 at Digital Equipment Corporation, where he remained for fourteen years. During this tenure, he played a key role in the creation of AltaVista, eventually becoming its general manager. Throughout this period, he secured several patents related to search engine innovations, all attributed to AltaVista. Additionally, Black maintained a "top secret" clearance for various government-related assignments.
In 1998, Black departed from Digital Equipment Corporation to assume the role of CEO at Internet Marketing Inc. (IMI), recognized as the pioneering web mapping service on the web. He later established iAtlas in Laurel, Maryland, which launched the first detailed online business directory alongside a location-based search platform. Within its inaugural year, iAtlas attracted $3 million in venture funding and collaborated with Ameritech in 1999 to merge its database with Ameritech’s yellow pages search technology.
During the early 2000s, Black founded and subsequently sold both Hotels.com and Resorts.com. His executive experience also includes leadership positions at BizExpense, Inc., Conomae Corporation, and the Tandy Corporation.
In 2005, Black initiated TalkPlus in San Mateo, California, a mobile service provider that enabled users to operate multiple phone lines from a single device. This company introduced Mirror Numbers technology, allowing calls from existing landlines at significantly reduced expenses. The service was particularly adopted by online dating and auction platforms to enhance user privacy. Drawing inspiration from his government work at Digital, Black shifted from CEO to chief strategy officer in 2007 to concentrate on innovation and strategic planning; Michael Toepel succeeded him as CEO.
Prior to its acquisition, Black was involved with Trusted Opinion, a social networking enterprise. He also holds a board position with the Silicon Valley Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to cancer research and treatment awareness. Furthermore, he has represented TalkPlus at the Silicon Valley Open Doors technology conference.