About This Blog

This is the blog of Chris Alden, proudly published with Movable Type since 2002.

Why “r21”? Here is the first post that explains it.

Bio:

Christopher J. Alden is Chairman & CEO of Six Apart, Ltd., the world’s largest blogging company. Six Apart acquired Rojo Networks, Inc., creator of an innovative RSS feed reading service, where Mr. Alden was co-founder and CEO. Before Rojo, he was CEO of Red Herring Communications, Inc., publisher of Red Herring magazine - described by the Wall Street Journal as the “bible of Silicon Valley” - which he helped launch out of his house in 1993. Prior to that he founded Computer Guides, a consultancy, and taught computer studies at Crystal Springs Uplands school. Mr. Alden also has a background in real estate development and hotel management, having worked for Western Land Corporation and Woodside Hotels & Resorts.

In the non-profit realm, Mr. Alden is board chair for Peninsula Bridge, which offers academic enrichment programs for low-income middle school students to motivate and prepare them for success in the next steps of their education. He is also a founding board member of SV2, the largest venture philanthropy partnership in the Bay Area, and is a founding board member of Lead21, an influential political organization formed by entrepreneurial business leaders, for entrepreneurial business leaders. Mr. Alden sits on the advisory board of the Pacific Research Institute’s Center for Technology Studies and is a former board member of the SF Chamber of Commerce and the Tuck Center for Private Equity and Entrepreneurship. He was awarded the Business Leadership Award from the Anderson School of Business at UCLA in 2000 and graduated with a degree in history from Dartmouth College in 1992.

Currently:

Six Apart, Ltd., Chairman & CEO

Previously:

Rojo Networks, Inc., Co-founder & CEO Red Herring Communications, Inc., Co-founder Computer Guides, Co-founder Dartmouth College, BA in History, 1992

Current Non-Profit Activities:

Peninsula Bridge Program, Board Chair The Peninsula Bridge Program offers academic enrichment programs for low-income students grades 1-8 to motivate and prepare them for success in the next steps of their education.

Silicon Valley Social Ventures (SV2), Board Member Founding Steering Committee member for this organization dedicated to promoting philanthropy in Silicon Valley.

Lead21, Board Member, Executive Committee Helped found Lead21 (formerly NCLC, aka N-Click), a political organization for entrepreneurs and business leaders who share the core philosophy that innovation and freedom bring prosperity.

Pacific Research Institute’s Center for Technology Studies, Advisory Board Member Advisor to this center dedicated to protecting the free flow of information on the Internet and opposing policies that could hinder its progress.

Previous Non-Profit Activities:

Tuck Center for Private Equity and Entrepreneurship, Board of Advisers Member The first research center dedicated to the scholarship, education, and practice of global private equity, the center brings together leading practitioners, academics, and students to advance their understanding of private equity in all its forms.

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, board member for three years

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