Product Code Database
Gary Kovacs (born 1963 or 1964) is an American technologist and corporate executive.Alec, Scott. "Lessons from Canada's Silicon Valley diaspora.” The Globe and Mail. Published 23 February 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012. He has been the chief executive officer of AVG Technologies, AVG Technologies, and Accela. He has also worked for a number of technology companies in the San Francisco Bay Area including Adobe Systems, SAP AG, IBM, and Zi Corporation.Prior, Shannon. "Introducing our new CEO: Gary Kovacs." Mozilla Blog. Published 14 October 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
Kovacs attended the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business, earning a BComm in 1990 and an MBA in 1999. “Keep in touch.” U Magazine. Published May 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
In addition to his undergraduate and graduate business degrees, Kovacs is a certified communications electronics technologist. “Electronics analysis: Gary Kovacs – Zi Corporation.” The Wall Street Transcript. Published 11 February 2002. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
Kovacs moved to Macromedia in 2003, working as Vice President of Product Marketing. When Adobe Systems acquired Macromedia in 2005, Kovacs became vice president and general manager of product management and marketing for Adobe's mobile and devices division and became to General Manager of the division in 2008.von Fuchs, Teresa. "Adobe announces restructuring." Wireless Week. Published 8 April 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2013. From 2009 to 2010, Kovacs served as Senior Vice President of Markets, Solutions, and Products at Sybase, through its acquisition by SAP AG.
In 2010, Mozilla the parent organization of the Firefox web browser selected Kovacs to replace former CEO John Lilly. During Kovacs' tenure Mozilla expanded into the mobile phone market with the launch of Firefox OS, its open mobile operating system.Moody, Glyn. “Mozilla’s big comeback.” Computer World UK. Published 14 November 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2013. Kovacs previewed Firefox OS at Mobile World Congress 2013, garnering commitments from 18 major worldwide mobile operators.Mozilla Press Center. "Mozilla Announces Global Expansion for Firefox OS." Mozilla Blog. Published 24 February 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2013. However, Firefox OS proved to be a failure and was discontinued by Mozilla after Kovacs's departure.[9]
In 2012, he gave a TED talk, "Tracking the Trackers", explores issues of Internet privacy in an increasingly connected world.Kovacs, Gary. “Gary Kovacs: tracking the trackers” video. TED. Published February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2013. At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in 2012, he presented on strategies for creating a resilient cyber economy amid economic, security, and privacy obstacles. “Creating a resilient cyber economy.” World Economic Forum. Retrieved 18 February 2013. He was a keynote speaker at the Mobile World Congress 2013. “Keynote speakers.” Mobile World Congress 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
In April 2013 Mozilla announced that he would step down as CEO of the corporation later that year and until March 2014 he was part of Mozilla's board of directors.
On July 30, 2013, Kovacs joined AVG Technologies as CEO. In September 2016, AVG Technologies was acquired by Avast Software for US$1.3B. “Avast and AVG become one” Avast Blog. Retrieved 21 May 2017. Kovacs employment with AVG Technologies was terminated in December 2016 In April 2017, Kovacs filed a complaint in the San Francisco County Superior Court against AVG Technologies USA Inc. and Does 1-50 alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and other counts. The suit states the defendants fabricated a sham reason to terminate the plaintiff's employment and terminated him in December 2016, allegedly to avoid paying him his severance, bonus and other amounts due to him. “Former AVG Technologies USA Inc. CEO alleges he was wrongfully terminated.” Norcal Record. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
On Dec. 11, 2018, Kovacs was appointed as CEO of Accela.
He now lives in Piedmont, California. “Gary Kovacs.” CrowdRise.com. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
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