Genius Sports appoints ex-Google technical director as new group CTO
Supplier secures the services of experienced AI software developer Mark Kropf as Genius Sports bolsters its C-suite with new chief technology officer
Genius Sports has named former Google figure Mark Kropf as the group’s new chief technology officer (CTO).
Kropf held the title of technical director within the office of Google’s chief technology officer for just under five years from January 2020 until now, where he contributed to advancing the tech giant’s generative AI capabilities alongside “improving developer experience” and spearheading regular innovation.
At Genius Sports, Kropf will be tasked with helping the firm expand GeniusIQ, a tool designed to produce high-quality game analysis and an immersive user experience through “powerful machine learning and generative AI”.
The incoming CFO brings swathes of expertise to his new position, including past C-suite experience.
He established and led the office of the global chief technology officer at Pivotal in April 2013, a title he held until he departed for Google seven years later.
During his post with the New York-based software company, which has since been acquired by VMware Tanzu, Kropf was an instrumental figure in the commercialization of its Cloud Foundry platform.
His only role prior to Pivotal was a six-year spell at the NYSE-listed financial and retail technology giant Diebold Nixdorf between April 2007 and April 2013.
The new Genius Sports exec will remain in his position as a member of the board of advisors for Copper Books, a venture-backed startup designed to help authors get their work published and increase their readership.
Kropf also holds multiple patents in enterprise software and financial services technology and has long been an investor in technology startups, particularly those guided by under-represented groups.
Genius Sports CEO Mark Locke gave Kropf a warm introduction to the firm and shed more light on what will be expected of him once fully integrated with the supplier.
He said: “I am thrilled to welcome Mark Kropf as our Group CTO.
“His outstanding track record of technology leadership at both Google and Pivotal, combined with his deep experience in AI-focused innovation, will play a critical role in our future.
“Our cutting-edge GeniusIQ platform is already driving the AI revolution in the global sports ecosystem and Mark’s expertise will play a key role in amplifying and accelerating that transformation.”
On his appointment, Kropf added: “Genius Sports’ technology is redefining how sports are understood and consumed globally.
“I look forward to supporting this continued growth and working with a remarkable team that has already positioned Genius Sports at the forefront of data and technology innovation in sport.”
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.