1. New at the top: Phase2’s
Thomas Tague found the
sweet spot between tech
and business
March 9, 2014March 9, 2014
My career lies at the intersection of technology and business.My career lies at the intersection of technology and business.
I started in 1979, when technology in business was more about data processing, doing your payroll faster andI started in 1979, when technology in business was more about data processing, doing your payroll faster and
automating manual functions.automating manual functions.
Now, business is enabled by the technology as much as technology supports business. I noticed that the tech-savvyNow, business is enabled by the technology as much as technology supports business. I noticed that the tech-savvy
people and the business folks are two groups that don’t often talk well with each other. But with my technicalpeople and the business folks are two groups that don’t often talk well with each other. But with my technical
background and interest in business, I have often served as a medium.background and interest in business, I have often served as a medium.
In the first part of my career, I was a techie. I grew up in Palo Alto, Calif., in the 1960s and 1970s. Technology wasIn the first part of my career, I was a techie. I grew up in Palo Alto, Calif., in the 1960s and 1970s. Technology was
becoming accessible at an individual level.becoming accessible at an individual level. At the time, I didn’t think I would make my career in technology, but IAt the time, I didn’t think I would make my career in technology, but I
would often use computers for various academic purposes.would often use computers for various academic purposes. In college, I became proficient in computer operatingIn college, I became proficient in computer operating
systems.systems.
This was during the time that Electronic Data Systems was an IT powerhouse. EDS was firing up a new division thatThis was during the time that Electronic Data Systems was an IT powerhouse. EDS was firing up a new division that
used cutting-edge operating systems, but no one really knew how to work it. A recruiter happened to be in town. Iused cutting-edge operating systems, but no one really knew how to work it. A recruiter happened to be in town. I
met with him, and it rapidly turned into a job offer. I thought I would stay there for a year. That turned into 11.met with him, and it rapidly turned into a job offer. I thought I would stay there for a year. That turned into 11.
I started as a developer, and by the time I left, I was running the majority of their state and local governmentI started as a developer, and by the time I left, I was running the majority of their state and local government
business for the East Coast. I worked seven days a week for 10 years in 20 cities with clients of all kinds. It wasbusiness for the East Coast. I worked seven days a week for 10 years in 20 cities with clients of all kinds. It was
intensive work.intensive work.

2. Being in management, I eventually wanted to get my hands dirty on the technology side again. I ended up workingBeing in management, I eventually wanted to get my hands dirty on the technology side again. I ended up working
for a company building American Express’s marketing systems. It was very successful. We used amazing technologyfor a company building American Express’s marketing systems. It was very successful. We used amazing technology
from companies that made machines designed to build submarines.from companies that made machines designed to build submarines.
I was there six years, and then a few of us executives decided to start a company. We started Tessera EnterpriseI was there six years, and then a few of us executives decided to start a company. We started Tessera Enterprise
Systems with the goal of building large-scale customer-relationship management systems. It was your classic greatSystems with the goal of building large-scale customer-relationship management systems. It was your classic great
start-up experience. It was very successful, and we chose to sell the company to IXL, a company that doesn’t existstart-up experience. It was very successful, and we chose to sell the company to IXL, a company that doesn’t exist
anymore.anymore.
I decided to take a year off. My kids were in their teens. It was really great to spend unlimited time with my family.I decided to take a year off. My kids were in their teens. It was really great to spend unlimited time with my family.
After a year, I felt I was too young to retire, and the dot-com boom was in full swing.After a year, I felt I was too young to retire, and the dot-com boom was in full swing.
I began a path working for a few tech companies, one of which was Reuters, where I eventually became its chiefI began a path working for a few tech companies, one of which was Reuters, where I eventually became its chief
technology officer. I helped rebuild many of their systems, and we started releasing a product each month.technology officer. I helped rebuild many of their systems, and we started releasing a product each month.
But eventually I felt like it was time to move to a smaller organization. That’s when the Phase2 opportunity cameBut eventually I felt like it was time to move to a smaller organization. That’s when the Phase2 opportunity came
up. I am very excited to be here. My job is simply to make sure we scale without diminishing our quality.up. I am very excited to be here. My job is simply to make sure we scale without diminishing our quality.
— Interview with— Interview with Vanessa SmallVanessa Small
Thomas TagueThomas Tague
Position:Position:Position:Position: Chief operating officer of Phase2, a D.C. firm in digital content strategy, design and technology.Chief operating officer of Phase2, a D.C. firm in digital content strategy, design and technology.
Career highlights:Career highlights:Career highlights:Career highlights: Chief technology officer and global head of media product and support, Thomson Reuters; globalChief technology officer and global head of media product and support, Thomson Reuters; global
head of platform strategy and OpenCalais initiative leader, ClearForest; vice president of solutions and marketing,head of platform strategy and OpenCalais initiative leader, ClearForest; vice president of solutions and marketing,
ClearForest; executive vice president, insurance, finance, software and health industries, Darwin Partners; co-founder andClearForest; executive vice president, insurance, finance, software and health industries, Darwin Partners; co-founder and
chief operating officer, Tessera Enterprise Systemschief operating officer, Tessera Enterprise Systems; vice president of high-performance computing, Epsilon; business; vice president of high-performance computing, Epsilon; business
development, EDSdevelopment, EDS..
Education:Education:Education:Education: BS, Biology, Reed College, Portland, Ore.BS, Biology, Reed College, Portland, Ore.
Personal:Personal:Personal:Personal: Moving to the Washington region with his wife and two children.Moving to the Washington region with his wife and two children.
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