Founder & CEO
After discovering the internet in the early 1990’s and moving to California’s central coast, Mike founded HotWax Systems in 1997. Mike has gathered together talented engineering and design professionals from five continents around the globe to lead dozens of high-profile web software projects for national and global brands like Patagonia, HermanMiller, UPS, and Warby Parker. A career open-source software advocate, Mike has spearheaded HotWax Systems’ long-time sponsorship of the Apache Software Foundation and numerous legendary ApacheCon conferences. Mike earned a B.A. in International Studies and an MBA in International Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, where he was also a Fisher Award recipient and an adjunct professor. Mike is a Leadership Utah alumnus, wilderness fanatic, and grateful dad to three wonderful young adults..
Jacopo Cappellato
CTO
Jacopo joined the HotWax Systems executive team in 2008 as a well-known open source software advocate, speaker and project contributor. He has dedicated thousands of hours in managing and developing multiple applications to the Apache OFBiz project, and also serves as VP of the Apache Software Foundation and Chairperson of the Apache OFBiz Project Management Committee. He graduated from the University of Padua with an M.S. in Computer Science Engineering. Jacopo enjoys paddle tennis, sci-fi, and rooting for his favorite Italian football team. Go Fiorentina!
Patrick Gibbons
VP of Client Experience
Patrick has lead account services and focused on providing a top level client experience for HotWax Systems since 2007. With deep experience in eCommerce, ERP, warehouse management, and Apache OFBiz architecture. He and his team are trusted by global enterprise brands to execute with speed and efficiency, delivering innovative solutions that quickly recognize value. A lifelong advocate for technology betterment, he earned an MBA with an emphasis in Finance from the University of Utah – David Eccles School of Business. Patrick enjoys traveling, cooking, skiing, fishing, and exploring the great outdoors together with his children and dogs.
Ben Johnson
Director of Sales
Ben brings almost 20 years of experience in sales leadership, operational improvement, and asset optimization. His strategic expertise and deep business knowledge helps to match the best possible projects to skills and experience at HotWax Systems. Ben holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Puget Sound, where he also earned a national championship title for swimming. He volunteers with the Junior Achievement organization, inspiring financial literacy in children. When not enhancing the business portfolio at HotWax, Ben can be found coaching youth soccer, taking in a ballet recital, or enjoying the outdoors. He finds time to hike, ski and bike the mountains of the West, together with friends and family.
Ashish Vijaywargiya
VP of Operations
As the leader of engineering operations, Ashish is key to the design, build, and deployment of all projects for HotWax Systems. He also maintains and optimizes the infrastructure, and leads the efforts to better open source projects as a contributing member of The ASF. Ashish earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from the Jawaharlal Institute of Technology, Khargone, MP, India. He has a keen focus on building a community of excellence in open source development, with HotWax University, located in Indore, India. Ashish also enjoys old Hindi songs, off-roading in his SUV, and contributing his time in support of the Zero Budget Natural Farming nonprofit initiative, helping communities throughout India to thrive and grow.
