2022 has been a record-breaking year for the Cumulus team. In addition to it being our best sales year yet, we also increased the resilience of our system, presented our technology at a renowned international conference, and welcomed many new valuable team members.
As we further our mission to improve safety and sustainability at industrial facilities, our wins and progress do not come without struggle. However, overcoming the many challenges that the year presented has only made us stronger as a team and more prepared than ever to exceed expectations in 2023.
To recognize the wins, the losses, and everything in between, our leadership team sat down for an end of year Q&A, where they discuss the highlights of 2022 and what they’re most looking forward to in 2023.
What Cumulus achievement are you most proud of this year?
Matt: The 100% customer renewal rate year-over-year that we achieved. This is a clear sign that we’re delivering real value to our customers, and that we’re doing something right.
Mark: We had our best sales year in the four-year history of the company. This is really exciting and I’m very proud of our team for getting us here.
Chiz: We worked really hard as a team to reduce our costs. This meant that we had to significantly re-architect our system, which was a huge undertaking.
Meghan: Cumulus employees came together and continued to stay positive, support one another, and not only get the job done—but get the job done extremely well.
Josh: I’m really proud of the ways that Cumulus has been able to improve our product versatility this year. Connection discovery, pressure testing, ticket configuration, reporting, generic entities…these all give our customers new ways to use the system.
What was a moment when you felt most fulfilled at work this year?
Matt: When we published presented a paper with our customers Shell and Bechtel about their experience deploying Cumulus at Shell’s Pennsylvania Chemicals project.
Chiz: I had the opportunity to participate in a security round table talking about security needs of different companies of varying sizes. As we sat in that round table, I felt really good because
I realized that we were already doing things that many other companies were only beginning to learn how to do.
What is one of your goals for Cumulus in 2023?
Chiz: One of my goals is to see us improve in our efficiency. We may be a small team, but we’re a small team that plays big.
Meghan: Next year, one of my goals for Cumulus is to enhance our current diversity, equity, and inclusion program. I also want to enable our employees to perform to their highest potential.
Josh: In the coming year, I want to reduce software development cycle time. We can get earlier feedback from the field, and this will help us make a better product.
What are you most excited about for Cumulus next year?
Matt: I’m most excited for the release of our pressure testing module early next year. Releasing this new system is going to add a lot of value for our customers. It will also further our mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by preventing leaks and accidents at industrial facilities.
Mark: For next year, I’m really excited to be in a good position to hit the ground running. We have a great product, with amazing customers that love it and give us great feedback. I want to show that off more.
What is one of your personal New Year’s resolutions?
Matt: I would like to be more present when I’m home with my family. Remote work has really blurred the lines between work and home life. I haven’t always been great at balancing this, and I want to do better next year.
Mark: One of my New Year’s resolutions is to focus on my personal mental health. What that means to me is getting away as much as I can to spend time with my kids, wife, and dog. I also want to get on the golf course, which is a zen place for me.
Meghan: One of my New Year’s resolutions is for my family to get out and volunteer in our community. It is so important to me to instill in my daughters the desire to serve, to give back to their community, and to always look for ways to help people.
Josh: My resolution for the New Year is to become more optimistic and positive. I think I’ve become a little grumpy during COVID times, and it’s time to change that.
About the Cumulus Leadership Team
About Matt
Matt is our CEO and serves on the company’s Board of Directors. Prior to co-founding Cumulus, he was the co-founder and Head of Programs at Shell TechWorks, Shell’s Skunk Works-style technology center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing and deploying new technologies for Shell’s capital projects and operating facilities. Before joining Shell, Matt held various commercial positions in the biomedical and aerospace industries. When he isn’t working, you can find him enjoying time with his wife, daughter, and dog, skiing, or scuba diving. Matt earned his BA from Rutgers University, JD from Duke University, and Executive Certificates in Management & Leadership and Strategy & Innovation from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn.
About Mark
Mark is our Chief Commercial Officer and serves on the company’s Board of Directors. Prior to co-founding Cumulus, Mark was a Portfolio Development Manager at Shell TechWorks responsible for building and managing the organization’s Downstream, Integrated Gas, and New Energies business portfolios. Before joining Shell, Mark led sales and business development efforts with government and enterprise customers at Aurora Flight Sciences and held engineering positions at Boeing and MITRE. Outside of work you can find Mark on the golf course, on the rugby pitch, or spending time with his family and dog, Scout, on the beaches of Cape Cod. Mark earned his BS in Aerospace Engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and an MBA from Northeastern University.
Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.
About Chiz
Chiz is our CTO and leads our talented product development team. Prior to co-founding Cumulus, he was the Manager of the Electrical Engineering team at Shell TechWorks, Shell’s technology center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing and deploying new technologies for Shell’s capital projects and operating facilities. Before joining Shell, Chiz held various technical roles in the medical device and aerospace industries. Chiz enjoys playing the electric bass guitar, spending time with his wife, son, and daughter. Chiz earned his BS from Yale University, and MS in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Connect with Chiz on LinkedIn.
About Meghan
Meghan is our Chief Business Officer and also leads the Operations Team. Prior to co-founding Cumulus, she was a Program Manager at Shell TechWorks, Shell’s technology center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At STW, Meghan led the Smart Torque System program from inception to commercialization and supported multiple deployments of the system throughout the world. Prior to joining Shell, Meghan worked in the Defense Industry and served for 6 years on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army. Meghan enjoys being active and spending time with her husband, Steve, and their three daughters Eleanor, Victoria, and Cecilia. Meghan earned a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) from the Project Management Institute. She is a combat veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and recipient of the Bronze Star Medal.
Connect with Meghan on LinkedIn.
About Josh
Joshua Napoli is our VP of Software. Josh brings over 15 years of experience to Cumulus, having worked at numerous companies and in various industries, from bio-medical to warehouse automation. Joshua co-founded a start-up that developed a computer vision system to detect falls by elderly residents of assisted living facilities, and he was Head of Software Engineering at a company the created 3D display and imaging devices. Away from the office, you can find him with his family in Providence or wheeling around town on his electric unicycle. Joshua is a graduate of MIT with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, with several patents and publications to his name.
Connect with Josh on LinkedIn.
