CSC ServiceWorks, Inc. has appointed two new members to the company’s Board of Directors. They are Alex Hawkinson, founder and former CEO of SmartThings, the largest consumer Internet of Things platform in the world; and Rick Graf, president and CEO of Pinnacle, one of the nation’s leading multifamily management firms.
Hawkinson has more than 20 years of experience in technology and development. In 2012, he founded SmartThings, where he grew the company into a global platform, servicing more than 100 million customers with billions of connected devices across the globe. Prior to its acquisition by Samsung in 2014, SmartThings led the industry with its uniquely open platform, which attracted tens of thousands of developers and device makers to integrate with the platform, together creating security solutions, energy savings, entertainment and more for customers worldwide.
“As we accelerate our movement to implementing connected machines and next-generation customer experiences across our portfolio, there really is no better fit for our Board than Alex,” said CSC ServiceWorks CEO Mark Hjelle. “Given his incredible track record in the world of technology, Alex’s insights will be invaluable as we take strides to bring the best laundry experience to the industry and our customers. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team.”
Prior to his founding of SmartThings, Hawkinson led and founded a number of technology companies across the United States, including SMBLive, an online marketing platform with products serving more than 300,000 small businesses in the United States and the United Kingdom; Mural, a multi-national SaaS strategic consulting and support company; Apptix, the largest provider of hosted messaging and collaboration products for small to medium-sized businesses; HostOne, a joint venture between Microsoft and USWeb; and USWeb DC, the leading web consultancy in the Washington, D.C., region.
As an active investor in early-stage technology companies and a director on several boards, Hawkinson utilizes his vast knowledge and experience to continuously aid in the further development of the industry.
“One of the most fascinating things about IoT is the ability to turn ordinary objects into smart devices that make your life easier,” Hawkinson explained. “The laundry sector is prime for disruption and adoption of connected machines. This management team has a tremendous track record, and I am confident CSC will be well-positioned to lead the industry in this movement.”
Hawkinson holds a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science from Carnegie Mellon University.
Graf, in his role as president and CEO of Pinnacle, provides strategic oversight for the company’s vision and long-term growth, while managing a spectrum of assets for major institutional clients across several states. He has held a variety of positions at Pinnacle since joining in 1996 and previously oversaw an expansive regional profile for the company.
“We continue to enhance our Board of Directors with new members that are leaders in the industries that we continue to shape our business around,” Hjelle noted. “Rick is a recognized leader in the multifamily housing space, one of the largest sectors of our customer profile. His broad leadership experience and inherent knowledge of that business will be invaluable as we maintain our customer-first approach.”
In addition to his 40 years of experience in the real estate industry, Graf is a Certified Property Manager. He is also active in the National Multifamily Housing Council, the Institute of Real Estate Management, the National Association of Home Builders and the National Apartment Association (NAA), of which he serves on the Board of Directors as vice chair. Graf is also a former president of the Texas Apartment Association.
“For years, I’ve seen the work that CSC has done to enhance laundry solutions for multifamily apartment buildings,” Graf said. “During my tenure at Pinnacle, I’ve learned the ins and outs of what property managers need to effectively run their buildings. I am very excited to join the board at CSC and continue to grow their industry-leading position.”
