From Rocket Scientist to Tech Titan: The Rise of Michael "Chopper" Reid
Securely Connected Everything
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Securely Connected Everything
From Rocket Scientist to Tech Titan: The Rise of Michael "Chopper" Reid
Jul 14, 2024 Season 3 Episode 1
Michael van Rooyen

What does it take to transition from aerospace engineering to becoming a tech industry leader? Michael Reid, affectionately known as Chopper Reid, joins us to share his remarkable career journey, revealing the unexpected twists that led him from engineering to influential roles at Cisco. Discover how Michael navigated the complexities of acquisitions, championed company culture, and drove SaaS-based business growth within large corporate structures, eventually landing the role of Chief Revenue Officer at Thousand Eyes.

As we explore the future of cloud networking, we dive into the multi-cloud environment dominated by AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle. Learn how enterprises are managing AI integrations and the growing demand for data centres. Michael shines a light on the innovative connectivity solutions offered by companies like Megaport, emphasising the crucial need for continuous product innovation, strong customer relationships, and leveraging world-class talent to thrive in a competitive market.

Finally, we tackle the pillars of innovation, cybersecurity, and sustainability. Michael discusses the importance of high-speed network connectivity for running AI models on NVIDIA chips across various cloud environments. He explains Megaport’s approach to fostering a culture of agility and rapid prototyping, ensuring customer needs are met swiftly. We also delve into cybersecurity measures that enhance protection by minimising attack surfaces, and celebrate Megaport's global expansion, minimal environmental footprint, and its significant achievements over the past decade.