Stephen Gillett, formerly of security software provider Symantec, has joined Google Ventures, an investment subsidiary of internet and technology conglomerate Alphabet, as an executive-in-residence (EIR).
Gillett currently also serves on the board of Mexican food chain Chipotle. His departure from Symantec, where he was chief operating officer and executive vice president, was revealed in November 2014.
Prior to taking the COO position at Symantec in 2012, Gillett held a variety of roles including president of digital, marketing and operations at retail chain Best Buy, and chief information officer and general manager of digital ventures at coffee shop operator Starbucks.
Gillet has also held positions at media company Corbis, internet company Yahoo and publisher CNet. He wrote in a blog post on Monday: “Throughout my career I have been inspired by the ethos of a founder. Entrepreneurs are champions who battle the odds and overcome obstacles to create something new.
“I am joining Google Ventures to be surrounded by investors and founders who live by this ethos. Google Ventures supports a tremendous stable of startups, and truly exceptional talent. I hope to become a resource and mentor for the fund’s portfolio companies.
“I am also looking forward to being a student again, and learning from entrepreneurs who push the edges of technology and product.”
– Photo courtesy of LinkedIn