Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> May 7, 2001

John Couch – Doubletwist Inc

JOHN D. COUCH, CEO, joined DoubleTwist, Inc., in September 1997, bringing 30 years of management experience in strategic planning, product development, and computer science to the company. Prior to joining DoubleTwist, he was an Executive-in-Residence for the Mayfield Fund. During his tenure he provided strategic planning, management, and technology counsel to high-tech companies. Before joining Mayfield, Mr. Couch served with Apple Computers, where he held a series of positions, from Director of New Products to Vice President of Software and Publications, leading up to Vice President and General Manager of Personal Office Systems Division, where he pioneered Apple's initial 'GUI' computer. As one of Apple's original five Vice Presidents his tenure coincided with Apple's growth from $7 million to $1 billion in sales. Initially recruited by Hewlett-Packard in 1972, Mr. Couch quickly rose to Section Manager in Hewlett-Packard's General Systems Division. Mr. Couch holds both a BS in Computer Science and an MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California at Berkeley. Profile
TWST: Could we begin with a brief historical sketch of DoubleTwist,

Incorporated, and then a profile of the company as it is now?

Mr. Couch: The company was originally incorporated in 1993,