Keith Grinstein
Partner, Second Avenue Partners

Keith Grinstein

Current:

  • Chairman, Coinstar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSTR) since August 2001. Serve on audit, nominating and compensation committees. Also serve on subsidiary board, Redbox, a joint venture with McDonalds Corporation providing on demand video kiosks across the country.
  • Director, F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) since January, 2000. Currently serve on audit and compensation committees. Involved in resolution of option measurement issues and have served on various special committees.
  • Director, Labor Ready (NYSE: LRW) since November, 2004. Chair audit committee and serve on the governance and nominating committee.
  • Track record of success structuring and or investing in numerous private companies including Amazon, Aquantive, Pathogenesis, VaxGen, Tegic, HouseValues, Wireless Services, Nordstrom.com, Superconductor Collider Corporation, Neah Power, Insitu, Ice Energy, Seattle Biodiesel, and others.
  • Strategic Advisor for Madrona Venture Capital. $250M fund specializing in start up funding.
  • Partner in Second Avenue Partners, VC group investing own money in early stage deals.

McCaw, Nextel and AT&T Wireless:

  • 2001-2004: Executive Chairman, Wireless Services Corporation. Responsible for strategy and tactics of software development company specializing in wireless data applications. Tripled revenue and cut expenses over a two year period. Completed round of financing and brought in new management team.
  • 1996-2002: Senior management positions with Nextel International, Inc. and Nextel Communications Inc.; including President & CEO of NII, Vice Chairman of NII and Senior Vice President of NCI. Retired as Vice Chairman. Nextel International was one of the 50 best performers on NASDAQ since inception.
  • 1991-1996: Senior operating positions at McCaw Cellular and subsequently ATT Wireless (following merger in 1994) including President of ATG division (Satellite & Air-to-Ground) and Group President at ATTWS.
  • 1990-1992: Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary for Lin Broadcasting. Largest subsidiary of McCaw Cellular Communications and separately traded. Included cellular and television properties.
  • 1988-1990: Vice President & Assistant General Counsel for McCaw Cellular Communications.

Legal and Regulatory Experience:

  • 1985-1987: Associate lawyer for Skadden Arps, Slate Meagher and Flom. New York and Washington, D.C. offices.
  • 1981-1983: Legislative Assistant to Senator Henry M. Jackson (D-WA). Served until his untimely death in 1983.

Other significant investment and business experience.

  • Previously served as outside director for Ackerley Communications during divestiture of NBA basketball franchise and successful merger of the company with Clear Channel Communications.
  • Currently serve on three significant private company boards; Netsuite (crm/erp asp provider), Car Toys (specialty retail) and Wireless Advocates (outsourced wireless equipment and service provider for Costco).
  • In 2003 was asked to testify in front of the US Senate Banking Committee on behalf of NASDAQ Small and Mid-cap companies on the effects of Sarbanes-Oxley legislation. Transcript available on request.
  • Treasurer, Henry M. Jackson Foundation. Manage $20M+ fund.
  • Numerous speaking engagements concerning private equity, venture capital and Sarbanes-Oxley.
  • Recipient of NACD Director of the Year Award, April 2007.

General Background Information:

Education: Yale University, BA 1982
Georgetown University Law Center,
JD Magna Cum Laude and Law Review, 1986
Member of State of Washington and New York Bar Associations