Management Team

Jeffery L. Carter

President & CEO

Industry Experience

Jeff has software development experience with artificial intelligence technologies such as natural language processing, vector space analysis, expert systems and intelligent agents. At Motorola he was the software architect for a knowledge management system that employed such artificial intelligence technologies. The knowledge management system included bibliometric, scientometric and cybermetric analysis techniques that were use to provide a prioritization for portfolio management and analysis. As a database analyst in early 90s, He was among the first to be implementing WAIS databases via the Internet and building CGI (common gateway interfaces).

IP Experience

Jeff has over 15 years of experience in the industries of technology analysis and intellectual property. Prior to founding HighTech-Solutions, he served as a Program Manager at Motorola’s Semiconductor Product Sector Intellectual Property Department. In this capacity, he was instrumental in reshaping the IP department from an overhead department into a profit and loss business. For the assertive licensing team, his responsibilities included target company selection, department resource prioritization, managing the reverse engineering process and directing the claim chart process. In an effort to further increase the profitability of Motorola’s intellectual property portfolio, he implemented a patent-harvesting process, which enabled Motorola’s licensing teams to boost the performance of their patent and technology licensing programs. He has created a multitude of claim charts for both infringement and non-infringement positions, and provides in-depth patent analyses and thorough prior art searches. Well-versed in the field of IP litigation, his experience includes serving as an expert consultant for several significant wireless and cellular phone litigation cases.

Education

Jeff received his M.S. in Telecommunications from Southern Methodist University (SMU). He earned a Graduate Certificate in Telecommunications Management from the University of Dallas, and graduated with a B.A. in Japanese from Brigham Young University (BYU). He is published in the area of wireless and mobile computing, holds several patent applications and has one issued patent.
Jeff is fluent in English and Japanese.

Howard Curtis

Senior Advisor

Industry Experience

Howard has worked in the technology sector for over 30 years in diverse fields, including library automation and information management; international technology assessment; the management of all business functions for a successful technology start-up; strategic business development; mergers and acquisitions; and intellectual property analysis and consulting. Howard coordinated the automation of a major academic science library at Cornell University as Director, Information Technology, and later led an international technology assessment team at the MCC research consortium, as Director, Global Technology Services. From 2000 to 2007, Howard served as Vice President, Global Services, and then VP Operations, at the Austin-based start-up Portelligent, which specialized in “product teardown analysis.” He managed all business functions for Portelligent, including marketing, sales, contracts, finance, customer service, and human resources.

IP Experience

Howard has eight years of experience in the intellectual property sector. Prior to coming to HTS as Senior Advisor, Howard worked as Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and then as Professional Services Principal at UBM TechInsights. In the latter role, he was responsible for managing TechInsights’ IP consulting practices for Korea and Taiwan, working with Asian customers, TechInsights’ management and technical staff, and the sales teams for the target regions.

Education

Howard holds an MS in Software Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin; an MBA from Cornell University; and an MA in East Asian Studies from Princeton University. He has also studied for two years in the Department of Japanese Literature at Kobe University as a Japanese Ministry of Education Fellow.
Howard is fluent in English and Japanese.

Takashi Harashima

Vice President, Japan and Asia

Industry Experience

In an earlier phase of his career, Takashi worked for 30 years for Marubeni Solutions Corporation and various of its subsidiaries, which were engaged in the import of hardware and software from the United States to Japan. In this work, he used and advanced his knowledge of system LSI (“Large-Scale Integration” ICs) design, the electrical analysis of LSI devices, EDA software for the semiconductor industry, and test systems for both integrated circuits and printed-circuit boards. During his years at Marubeni Solutions, Takashi was twice stationed in Silicon Valley, where he had both management and business development responsibilities.

IP Experience

Takashi has worked for over 15 years in the intellectual property sector in Japan, as Country Manager of TechInsights Japan. In this position, he provided a broad spectrum of support to customers in the semiconductor, electronics, and technology industries. Takashi thoroughly understands how to help clients structure and support programs to assess and strengthen their patent portfolios, undertake licensing campaigns, prepare portfolios for divestment, and establish IP positions in new technical domains and geographies to achieve freedom to operate. During his years at TechInsights Japan, he managed all in-country operations while personally focusing on business development.

Education

Takashi graduated from Suginami Technical College in Tokyo, Japan majoring in Electrical Engineering.
Takashi is fluent in Japanese and can speak English.