Robert Herjavec is one of North America's most recognizable business leaders. He has built and sold businesses on his way to amassing a personal fortune of over $100 million dollars. A first generation immigrant, Robert arrived in Halifax, Canada on a boat with his parents after escaping communism in former Yugoslavia. With only one suitcase, few prospects, $20 and no understanding of the English language, his unlimited dreams led him to experience the classic "rags to riches" immigrant story.
From delivering newspapers, waiting on tables and launching a computer company from his basement, he applied his immense energy and ambition with outstanding success. A serial entrepreneur, Robert has built and sold several companies including a computer security company to AT&T and a technology Company to Nokia for $225 Million. Widely known as an entrepreneurial and motivational expert, Robert's business advice has appeared in numerous national newspapers and magazines.
Following a short retirement, Robert launched The Herjavec Group, now acknowledged as Canada's fastest growing technology company, and in a few short years has grown from $400k in sales with 3 people to currently $125 million and almost 200 people. Robert's celebrity status has expanded with leading roles on Dragons' Den - the #1 TV show in Canada (now in its 7th Season) and the American hit show Shark Tank (now in its 3rd Season, produced by Mark Burnett Productions, Sony, Disney and ABC).
With the aptly titled "Driven" published by Harper Collins, Robert can now add "best selling author" to his resume. Published in 2010, "Driven" stayed on the bestseller list for over 8 months and became one of the best selling business books in Canada. "Driven" is now available in paperback and Harper Collins recently announced that Robert has been contracted for a second book, due in the fall of 2012.
Robert commutes between his permanent home in Toronto and his island getaway in Miami, Florida. He is an avid runner and golfer, recently completing the New York City Marathon and having played in several charity golf tournaments including the Mike Weir event at the Canadian Open and the Wayne Gretzky Nationwide Tour Pro-Am. Robert has also gone back to one of his first loves - motor racing, competing in the Ferrari Challenge Series across North America including two Canadian stops at the Montreal Grand Prix and the Toronto Indy. At this year's world finals held in Mugello, Italy, Robert won "Rookie of the Year" for the Ferrari Challenge Series by a slim two point margin.
George Frempong, Co-Founder and Vice President of Sales at The Herjavec Group, has nearly ten years of sales experience in the Canadian networking security industry. George started his IT career with BRAK Systems in 1997 as a top security solutions sales representative.
When BRAK was sold to AT&T Canada in 2000, George worked with AT&Ts Internet and eBusiness division as a senior account executive. After leaving AT&T Canada, George brought his sales and technology skills to Deloitte & Touche, where he was responsible for the sale of complex security networks and provided prominent Canadian organizations with comprehensive security solutions.
In 2003, George co-founded The Herjavec Group, where he has sustained his executive sales track-record, bringing high-level security solutions to many notable corporations across a variety of industries.
Sean Higgins, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of The Herjavec Group, is widely recognized as one of the foremost security experts in North America, with more than 20 years of IT industry experience.
Sean was originally a member of BRAK Systems' technology team, helping to guide the company's network and security strategies. After BRAK's acquisition by AT&T Canada, Sean joined AT&T Canada as the Director of Security Services and directed a staff of over 50 people in design, implementation, and management of complex security solutions.
Upon leaving AT&T in 2003, Sean co-founded The Herjavec Group, using his engineering expertise to spear-head the startup's world class technology systems. Sean is certified in a breadth of security products sold by The Herjavec Group and is a certified instructor for CheckPoint, Blue Coat, and McAfee Web Gateway technologies. Sean's extensive knowledge base has granted him the opportunity to contribute to Check Point's R70 CCSE course and give expert testimony in e-security related cases.
Sean holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Purdue University.
John Moy, Director of Finance at The Herjavec Group, not only brings accredited financial knowledge to the position, but also has over 10 years of experience working in the IT industry.
After graduating from York University's business school (now the Schulich School of Business) with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, John earned his CA designation, and completed his internship with Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers).