Page 6 - Illinois Sig Winter 2016-17

Kane (Continued from Page 1)

a number of reasons, it wasn’t a fit, although it basis. The technology was
was clear the firm wanted me to take on other lifted out of Milliman, Inc.,
responsibilities. I was 41 and felt it was the right a leading actuarial firm in
time to leave the firm and get fully engaged in 2008.
developing private entrepreneurial activities. My Conuity Software:
logic was if it didn’t work, I could always get a Provides an enterprise-scale
job. Initially, my focus was on investing and collaboration and unified
getting involved in the management of several communication solution in
technology businesses. One of the investments situations that need complex
introduced me to my current business partner. compliance controls over
He is a leading financial services technologist, and interactions. Lifted out of a
my background and experience complemented global bank in 2014.
his skill sets. We agreed to partner, which resulted Which project do you feel will have a big impact? year. I could not make the trip, however, I will do so
in the formation of the Dillon Kane Group in The aviation and auto telematics businesses in the future. The ties continue to be strong and the
2001. It started as an advisory firm, helping a few have an opportunity to have a significant impact relationships span many class years.
large financial institutions evaluate technology on how transportation systems are monitored and
and new business models. As we became more maintained. We are at the cutting edge, capturing Outside of work what do you for fun?
engaged, it became apparent there was a skills gap real time data, often streaming in massive quantities, My work is fun. However, we enjoy traveling,
inside these large firms. Especially in the newer, and applying math and physic algorithms to convert we own a boat in Florida, which we use frequently
early stage technologies, which were often in the data to information to action. We are leveraging the to fish and get away from the crowds. We belong to
middle of competitive fights to determine winners most advanced big data technologies, our proprietary several golf clubs in Chicago, Michigan, and South
and losers. Our first new business startup was software, data protocols, and mobile and sensor Carolina, and have a terrific group of friends who like
STA Group, which works closely with clients on technologies to build large scale production systems. to play. My sons and son-in-law all like to play, as do
helping to leverage technology to transform key The impact will be measured in billions of dollars per many of my nephews. We own a home in Union Pier,
parts of its business. It is staffed with very technical year as these systems are rolled out. Michigan, which is a year-round house and has been
engineers and business consultants working with a great getaway for the family. There is no shortage of
advanced technologies. What’s your long-term goal? things to do with friends or family.
In addition, a key strategy was to offer non- My objective is to balance family, work, and What advice can you give the alumni and actives
traditional solutions, including incubating businesses travel in the future. I have several of my grown about being a successful entrepreneur?
alongside our clients. DKG developed sophisticated children involved in the businesses, and that has been If you want to become an entrepreneur you
capabilities to incubate complex businesses, leveraging rewarding and enjoyable. We have two married, one need to be prepared, and it takes time. I believe my
technology and shared back office services. We have grandchild on the way, and anticipate being very training outside of class at Illinois, much of it through
been involved in incubating 13 different operating involved with our kids as they mature and have the house, was invaluable in developing leadership,
businesses. We provide the management and capital families. I expect to evolve from active management in time management, and management skills. I was
for all of our businesses. some of the businesses to more of a board and advisor alumni chair, co-social chair, treasurer, and counsel
role. However, we continue to see new opportunities during my four years. I also was a bartender, assistant
What type of other businesses are you helping to and don’t anticipate slowing down for the foreseeable
develop? future. I am not the full-time retirement type. I manager, and manager of Kams over three years.
The core engine is STA Group, which provides anticipate getting much more involved in charitable Entrepreneurship requires balancing different roles
the people and technology expertise to develop new and board roles down the road. and tasks on any given day. The other advice is don’t
business models that are disruptive or transformational. do it alone. I would not have succeeded without my
Some of the other companies include: Do you have the opportunity to stay in touch with partners. Every incubated company has a core set
Aviation Safety Technologies: Measures surface any of your Kappa Kappa brothers today? of partners, as well as partners who provide subject
conditions on runways from sensors on landing I have maintained close contact with several of matter expertise. Working as a partnership, with
commercial aircraft and ground-based mobile LED the Kappa Sigs. I belong to a golf club with several, someone taking the lead, but with a group supporting
laser devices on vehicles. AST has six domestic carriers’ have partnered in one of our businesses with Dave the business, is critical. Finally, we have always been
planes reporting and is entering production in 2017. Ogdon ’80, a pledge brother, and my brother was in fanatical about building and managing complex
It will target the domestic markets initially, however, it the house a few years behind me. Recently, an alum financial models for our businesses. We don’t live
is a global service offering. who graduated a few years behind me was diagnosed by an expected case, evaluate options as they evolve,
Friction Sciences: Developing next generation with cancer, and the contact list included over 25 and are rarely surprised by outcomes. This discipline
automobile driving models, surface condition Sigs. An older group of Sigs put together a golf and makes decision-making much easier, especially tough
measurement, and new business models leveraging football weekend for the Illinois Rutgers game this decisions.
auto telematics and mobile phone technologies.
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