Areas of Expertise include: Business Planning Sales & Marketing
Modie Katz joined the Alliance of Chief Executives with over 25 years of experience and expertise in building companies, management teams and consulting background that make the difference. Modie has successfully founded nine different companies in industries ranging from software to internet development to ranch equipment.
Modie has been in the computer/software market since 1983 when he first co-founded SoftKat, the largest educational software distribution company in the United States. After building the business to $20M in revenues in just four years, he successfully sold SoftKat to W. R. Grace’s book distribution division, Baker and Taylor. In 1989, Modie co-founded DSP Solutions. Their product was revolutionary and simple - an audio device that plugged into the back of the computer. They targeted the educational market and brought in IBM as their strategic partner. DSP Solutions was the first hardware manufacturer to become an IBM Business Partner that was able to use the IBM logo on its product. DSP Solutions sold over one million audio solutions to schools throughout North America.
In 1995, Modie again co-founded SoftKat, but this time as an overstock and liquidated software distributor. Building the business from ground up to $10M in sales was a three-year project. They sold the company through a stock exchange to a publicly held company. In 1999, Modie founded a website development company, InterConn Group, which builds state-of-the-art websites. While on a horse drive from Bishop to Mammoth Lakes, Modie met his new partner-to-be, an extremely astute and wealthy businessman from Los Angeles, who helped build an incubation company called Strategic Internet Investments. Together, they incubated nine companies before the fall of the internet in 2001.
Modie started his eighth company, Sierra Ranch Supply, which builds and markets “The Ultimate DollyCart” that Modie developed on his ranch. Sierra Ranch Supply sells its products to stores such as ACE Hardware and True Value, as well as ranch and farm dealers throughout North America. That company morphed into the now ninth company, SRS Innovations, a manufacturing and representative organization for the hardware market.
Modie enjoys helping others in business and his community through many volunteer activities. He has also consulted for such companies as IBM, Disney Interactive, and the California Department of Education. His formal education was completed at San Jose State University with a degree in history and sociology.
Modie lives and works on his ranch in the Western Slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains with his wife, Christine. He very much enjoys his motorcycle, dogs and basic life style.