Skip To Content

The IP Commerce Management Team

The IP Commerce Team is composed of experienced professionals from the payments, software and telecommunication industries. Key members of the Management Team include:

 

Alfred 'Chip' Kahn IV

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

IP Commerce founder and CEO Chip Kahn exemplifies entrepreneurialism, with an impressive track record of identifying business opportunities and developing innovative strategies to address market needs. Kahn has led the growth of IP Commerce since its inception. Prior to IP Commerce, Kahn founded and developed several successful companies, including Inventure Partners, a venture enterprise group that owns a portfolio of companies; ASI, a payment services provider; Application Media, a broadband media and commerce consultancy; and STS Hotel Net, an integrated media supplier.

Kahn also serves on the advisory board for BroadHop, Inc., a broadband services software company. He is a frequent keynote speaker at industry conferences and was recognized as one of Colorado's up-and-coming business leaders in 2002 with the "40 under 40" Award, and more recently as semi-finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award. Kahn holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University.

 

Michael Schwartz

Chief Operating Officer

Michael Schwartz has more than 20 years of broad-based business, technology, and operational leadership, working with many of the largest and most well-respected financial services companies in the world. As IP Commerce’s COO, Schwartz is responsible for operational excellence and product/technology delivery, and oversees the company’s Product Management, Product Development, Infrastructure, Operations, Sales, and Partner Management teams. Schwartz joins IP Commerce with a proven record of leadership and transformation capabilities focused on solution delivery, building teams, and leading multi-phase large project implementations. Schwartz also brings significant international experience, having lived in Europe for several years and worked with both clients and partners in Europe, Asia, and Mexico.

Prior to joining IP Commerce, Schwartz served as the CIO for Arise Virtual Solutions where he was responsible for enterprise-wide technology strategy, architecture, delivery, operations, and infrastructure. In addition, Schwartz also held several senior positions at TSYS Acquiring Solutions, including CTO, Senior Vice President -- International Technology, and Senior Vice President –- Product Management. In these roles, Schwartz’s responsibilities included oversight of all corporate projects and programs, technology and business architecture, M&A technology integration, international partnership development, product strategy, as well as client conversions and implementations. Schwartz began his career at Accenture, where he spent 14 years focusing on the financial services industry and the credit card issuing/acquiring business. Schwartz graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Physical Sciences & Biology.

 

Frank Knuettel

Chief Financial Officer

Frank Knuettel is a financial and operations executive with extensive experience in the capital markets and has helped several emerging growth companies expand operations. As IP Commerce’s CFO, Knuettel is responsible for overall financial management, including further development of the company’s infrastructure to accommodate its accelerated growth. Knuettel also contributes to the development of additional strategic relationships and the continued expansion of the IP Commerce network of partners. Prior to joining IP Commerce, Knuettel was CFO of Infosearch Media, (ISHM), a leading online search engine marketing firm. During his tenure at Infosearch, Knuettel managed the acquisition of a private company, building a more than 400 percent return on invested capital in eight months.

Knuettel was also the co-founder of Internet Machines Corporation, where he held several positions, including Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. While at Internet Machines Corporation, Knuettel raised almost $90 million in equity and debt, managed significant internal growth and ultimately led the sale of the business to IDT Corp. in 2004. Knuettel is a cum laude graduate in economics from Tufts University and received an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

 

David S. Johnson

Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer

David S. Johnson is responsible for IP Commerce’s technology strategy, architecture, and information security. Prior to IP Commerce, Johnson served as CTO for a number of emerging technology corporations, including Inventure Partners, Amigo Systems, and STS Hotel Net. Johnson also co-founded New Media Designs (NMD), a company specializing in the development of database integrated Internet applications, BroadHop, a broadband services software company, and Application Media, a strategy leadership and solution developer for marquee global brands engaged in delivering broadband e-commerce and mobility services.

From 1995 to 2000, Johnson served as Internet services consultant for the Audio Engineering Society (AES), an international professional and standards organization, serving members in more than 50 countries worldwide. During his tenure with the AES, Johnson developed the society’s Internet communications strategy, and presented workshops at numerous regional and national conventions and meetings. Johnson was co-chairman of the audio industry’s first international symposium on Internet audio streaming technologies and received the 1998 AES Board of Governors Award for his work in this emerging technical arena.

 

Peter Osberg

Senior Vice President, Business Development & Marketing

Peter Osberg is responsible for guiding strategy and directing all IP Commerce business development activities including new partnerships and business concepts. Osberg also leads marketing for IP Commerce’s Platform and partnership initiatives. With extensive senior-level experience in highly competitive, multi-sided markets, Osberg is a well-established entrepreneur with a proven ability to plan, execute and administer successful sales and business development initiatives.

In his 20-year career, Osberg has held senior positions with Life Time Fitness (NTSE:LTM), WamNet and Rollerblade and has successfully brought five early stage companies to market – including his own start-up, focused on web applications for niche markets, where he served as co-founder and principal prior to joining IP Commerce.