MARC DYKSTERHOUSE:
 
MARC DYKSTERHOUSE




 
 
 
 
 
Founder and President of AZO Technologies Inc. in Kalamazoo. In 2002, Dyksterhouse invented and developed AZO’s flagship product, VisiWave Site Survey, which visualizes the coverage of a wireless network. Under his leadership, the VisiWave product line has grown with the Wi-Fi network industry during the past five years. The company has customers in more than 25 countries. Prior to forming AZO, Dyksterhouse was director of engineering in the PGP server division of Network Associates (now McAfee) in Santa Clara, Calif. He began his career in Kalamazoo doing server and security development with I/NET Inc. Dyksterhouse graduated magna cum laude from Kalamazoo College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science. He has a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Illinois.


WHERE BORN: "Kalamazoo."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: "My grandfather. He is where I get my entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic. He started a small grocery store in downtown Kalamazoo many years ago. The lessons he taught me include working hard and leading your life with as much integrity as possible."

LAST BOOK READ: "On the Wings of Eagles by Ken Follett. It’s the story of Ross Perot rescuing the EDS executives held hostage in Iran."

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: "Determined, Midwesterner."

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: "Wireless networks are still in their infancy. Data rates will continue to grow, devices will continue to shrink, and more and more everyday gadgets will be connected. Right now, this industry is ripe for consolidation. The current crop of small players will get bought up or pushed out in favor of a few dominant companies."

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: "I'd like to say my wireless network, but it's actually my TiVo. It lets me view TV and movies on my schedule. But my TiVo is hooked up to my home wireless network."

FAVORITE PLACE: "Wherever my wife, family, and friends are."

FAVORITE HOBBY: "Volleyball."

FAVORITE FOOD: "Anything ethnic: sushi, Mexican, Italian, Indian, Thai."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: "Being slightly clairvoyant in the most non-useful yet impressive ways."

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: "I want to be remembered as someone who led a good life, was a good family member, good friend, and someone who left a small but noticeable mark on his world."

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.