Raul J. Fernandez is an American entrepreneur.
Background
He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland with his family. He is also the son of a Cuban father and an Ecuadorian mother. While in high school, he attended a Capitol Hill fundraiser for Hispanic Republicans with his father.
One of his father"s friends introduced him to Congressman Jack Kemp"s chief of staff leading Fernandez to a part-time intern position translating Spanish documents.
Career
He is currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ObjectVideo, and co-owner of the National Hockey League Washington Capitals, the National Basketball Association Washington Wizards, and the Women's National Basketball Association Washington Mystics. During this time he was given his first laptop computer and was his high school yearbook caption read, "Most remembered for being the first to have a computer."
While attending the University of Maryland, he continued to work for Kemp. On Capitol Hill he worked on tax legislation and issues involving Central America using spreadsheets and programs he developed to simulate the impact of various tax plans on different income groups.
In 1991, Fernandez left his job at Digicon and founded with $40,000.
Under his leadership, the company became a top global provider of e-business services for Fortune 500 companies. "s ultimate success was sealed with the signing of two big clients in the mid90s Microwave Communications Incorporated and America Online. Fernandez met America Online"s Ted Leonsis on an airplane on his way back from launching one of the first e-commerce Web sites for Microwave Communications Incorporated. The subsequent deals from America Online led to growth, venture investments and the "s eventual $58.5 million IPO in 1999.
In 2000, generated more than $200 million in revenue. In late 2000, gathered interest from two buyers: Compaq and Dimension Data.
A bidding war ensued and was bought by Dimension Data.
The organization supports programs to help improve the lives of needy Washington District of Columbia, area kids by providing education, health care and other related needs. In another philanthropic endeavor, Raul joined 28 Washington, District of Columbia
In 2001, Fernandez was appointed to the President"s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. He also led the Information Technology Analysis Team for Virginia Government.
Mark Warner"s Commission on Efficiency and Effectiveness.