Rotary Club of Charleston

A Gambler in Our Midst…Cool Hand Nate

JULY 17, 2012 — Last week, our club was privileged to hear about the entrepreneurial insights and successes of PeopleMatter president and CEO, Nate DaPore.

Nate captured the interest of the lunchtime crowd at the outset of his remarks by telling us of his early skills in innovation. While in college, he helped raise funds for a project by running a small casino that helped his organization realize its financial goals with positive cashflow “ahead of expectations.”

As the magnetic leader of PeopleMatter, Nate is passionate about changing the way employers and employees interact in the workplace, and making it better. He is driven to provide team members, including his own, with a rewarding workplace experience that values creativity. “I encourage everyone here who is responsible for running a business to toss your vacation policies in the trash; we don’t have one.” His management style breeds loyalty, friendship, adventure, innovation and operational and financial success.

How did he get here?

Nate’s family moved here from Ohio when he was young. He attended Mason Prep, Bishop England, and for college Hampden-Sydney in Virginia. He was successful in each of his career posts starting as a high performing producer at SaaS (Software as a Service). After a stint in Germany, he found his way to Benefitfocus (Mt. Pleasant), where he helped the company in its infancy realize exponential growth. He then took a break, and during a Carribbean hiatus, he reflected on career directions and realized that he could offer important staff management solutions for high turnover industries. In particular, he saw the niche to provide talent management software to serve four distinct industries: restaurants, hospitality, convenience stores and retailers.

With an extraordinary track record in sales, operations and marketing leadership in the human resources and benefits software space, Nate is proud of his ability to persist in surrounding himself with the finest talent despite the encouragement of others to “give it up.”

In addition to creating a company that industry analyst firm Brandon-Hall touted as “The only life cycle management solution out there for the service industry,” Nate was recently recognized as the 2011 “Top Up-and-Coming Entrepreneur” by TiE Atlanta—the southeast chapter of the world’s largest non-profit organization for entrepreneurs. Nate is an avid offshore fisherman, private pilot, a member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and a board member for the Charleston Digital Corridor Foundation.

What’s Next for Silicon Harbor?

Nate is bullish on the greater Charleston region’s economic development and education opportunities. As one who has helped fuel the growth of our “Digital Corridor,” he proudly refers to our region as “Silicon Harbor.” Crediting the joint forces of CRDA, the mayor’s office, SCRA, regional colleges and universities, and all of the efforts of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Nate underscored our ability to spur international appreciation for Charleston as a preferred destination for businesses and individuals. “But, we must invest in computer science programs at our colleges in the state,” he added

As a tangible display of his workplace philosophy, commitment and creativity, Nate’s company will move in December from North Charleston to newly renovated, expansive space on north King Street. The architecture and design will be eye-catching and inspirational. That move will bring nearly 300 people (or “team members” as he always refers to his company colleagues) to downtown. Clear evidence of his commitment to stimulate the economy and the neighborhood and to bring creativity and innovation to life. A perfect example of “Service Above Self.”

Nate lives by three simple rules:

1. Get involved. Find something that interests you in society and pursue it. Help others.

2. Surround yourself with smarter people than yourself.

3. Persevere to overcome obstacles.

As proof to that latter, Nate reported that despite early cynicism and resistance, PeopleMatter has raised nearly $30 million in several venture capital rounds.

“I’m excited about the future of Charleston and the future of our industry. I am proud to help demonstrate how technology can help mankind be more efficient, productive and creative.”

Blackjack anyone?

Submitted by Mark Danes, Keyway Commi