Aquacue was founded in 2009 by a group of Silicon Valley engineers who are passionate about global and local water issues and are creating products and services to empower people to help solve the world’s water crisis.
Nathan Hoover is responsible for Aquacue’s software development. As a Principal Software Engineer he develops front-end, back-end and utility software. Previously Nathan worked as co-founder and Director of Engineering at Movaris/Trintech and as an Engineering Manager at HaL Computer Systems. Nathan can juggle seven balls and he's one of only two people in the world to unicycle on all seven continents.
Shahram Javey is Founder and CEO of Aquacue. Previously, Shahram worked in senior technical and management positions at IBM and Adobe Systems. His favorite pastime is learning a new skill and pedaling his 35-pound bike through the hills of Los Gatos.
Patrick Rodriguez is a co-founder and Principal Software Engineer of Aquacue. Previously, he worked at Adobe Systems, Inc. where he assisted with the development of a number of online services. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. Patrick started the standing desk trend in the office. When he's not standing, Patrick enjoys composing and playing music.
Don Walker is responsible for Aquacue's hardware development. He develops the firmware, designs the hardware, and manages the production and installation of the Aquacue Barnacle. Previously Don held senior management roles at Yahoo! doing software development, and Adobe Systems doing hardware development, software development, product marketing and product management. In his spare time Don is an avid car guy and is currently between Ferraris.
Advisors
Dr. Reza Kassayan, an internist and electrical engineer, has been lead designer and system architect for numerous commercially successful large-scale projects. He specializes in ultra-miniaturized embedded electronics for medical devices, industrial and aerospace applications. Reza, as CTO and chief designer, has led projects from concept to full production for a variety of Silicon Valley companies including: Sonitus Medical, Kontron America, PowerFile, Diamond Systems and Stanford Nano-Satellite Space Systems. Reza has 18 patents and holds a USMLE certified MD degree from Tehran University, and a BSEE from KNT University of Technology. His hobbies include nature photography, mountain biking and discovering new places.
Marty Laporte is an Associate Director of Utilities for Environmental Quality and Water Conservation in Stanford University’s Department of Sustainability and Energy Management. She is a board member for the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency and since 2007 has served as Vice-Chair for the BAWSCA Technical Advisory Committee. Marty received the 2009 Silicon Valley Water Conservation Award in recognition of her work developing Stanford’s water conservation program. She holds a MS degree in Geology from San Jose State University and a BA degree in Biology and Environmental studies from University of California at Santa Cruz. Marty enjoys the outdoors, swimming, and travel.
Dr. Wesley Schultz is a Professor of Psychology at California State University, San Marcos where he teaches and conducts research on conservation behavior. Wes is best known for his work on social norms and has spent more than 20 years studying the social aspects of conservation. Dr. Schultz serves as scientific adviser to Aquacue.
Chris Vargas was the lead investor for Aquacue's seed investment round. He serves as a strategic consultant and assists with new business development and fundraising. Previously, he was the founder of Cleantech Circle LLC, a partner at The Angels Forum, CEO of Proficient Networks Inc, President of F-Secure Ltd, and held senior sales and marketing positions at Cisco Systems. In the 80's, he worked on MILNET/DARPANET for the US military. Chris loves climbing rocks, chasing tennis balls and running on paths.
David Zetland is a senior water economist in the Department of Environmental Economics and Natural Resources at Wageningen University. David received his PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from UC Davis in 2008. He was a S.v. Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellow in Natural Resource Economics and Political Economy at UC Berkeley from 2008 to 2010. He blogs on water, economics and politics at aquanomics.com and is the author of The End of Abundance: Economic Solutions to Water Scarcity (2011). David has also put in time at various start-ups and non-profits. He has traveled in 80 countries.
