John DeFeo is an entrepreneurial executive whose career of more than 50 years has ranged from building early cellular businesses to launching international wireless ventures, developing telecommunications ventures, advising technology companies, and investing in the next generation of communications businesses. Across wireless communications, venture capital investing, and technology development, he has combined technical grounding, capital markets expertise, and operational discipline.

John began his career in engineering and technical roles at Schaevitz Engineering, NARCO Scientific, and Abbott Labs before joining General Electric, where he held marketing and program management positions across GE’s Mobile Communications and Medical Systems divisions. In 1983, he joined U S West NewVector Group, ultimately serving as CMO, President, and CEO. Under his leadership, NewVector became one of the country’s significant early cellular operators, expanding its operations across numerous domestic markets. During his tenure as President and CEO, NewVector completed a $200 million public offering in 1988, one of the significant early public financings in the U.S. wireless industry. He also helped position the company for the subsequent evolution of U S West’s wireless business and its eventual acquisition by combination with AirTouch. John also served as President and CEO of U S West Spectrum Enterprises, the company’s international wireless subsidiary, as U S  West expanded its international wireless interests, including ventures in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

Following his tenure at NewVector, John co-founded U.S. AirWaves to build a national Personal Communications Service network, raising venture capital and pursuing licenses in numerous U.S. markets. When prices in the FCC’s C-Block auction reached levels he believed were economically unsustainable, he withdrew from the bidding, preserving investor capital and demonstrating the disciplined investment approach that characterized his career. He subsequently co-founded Incepta Ventures, a telecommunications venture fund investing in early- and mid-stage telecommunications companies in North America and Europe. Later, as President, CEO, and Chairman of CoCo Communications Corp., he led the development and marketing of advanced wireless networking software designed to enable interoperability among communications systems for defense, public-safety, and commercial applications.

Since 1996, John has led John E. DeFeo Venture Advisors, LLC, advising clients, including Bechtel, and other technology and telecommunications companies on strategy, growth, and business development. He has served on the board of the Cellular Telephone Industry Association and in leadership and advisory roles with industry organizations, including the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). He has also been a member of business and executive organizations. In the Seattle community, he has served as President of PONCHO (Pacific Northwest Arts), Chairman of St. Thomas School Board, a member of the Seattle Symphony’s Executive Committee, and on the advisory boards of Seattle University Business School and Temple University’s President’s Advisory Council. He is a licensed commercial pilot, holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-Ton Master’s License for Power and Sail, and has served as an Aircraft Commander in the USCG Auxiliary.

John received multiple U S West Chairman’s Achievement Awards for leadership excellence and the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. He holds a BBA in Business Administration and an Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Temple University and has completed executive programs at the Wharton School of Business, Harvard University, and GE.