The Runecast Management Team

Runecast was founded by IT industry trailblazers. They have continued to look for that same pioneering spirit in every new Runecaster.
Stanimir Markov
Stanimir Markov
CEO

Stan is responsible for setting company strategies and supporting the Senior Management team in all aspects of innovation, stability, and growth. Before Runecast, he spent almost a decade with IBM, leading the VMware Center of Excellence in IBM Global Services and gaining experience in large-scale transition, digitalization, and transformation processes. Stan is also an IBM Redbooks author, vExpert, VMware Certified Instructor Mentor, and holds the highest VMware certification: VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX), no. 74. Outside of work, Stan enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to unique locales.

Aylin Sali
Aylin Sali
CTO

Aylin leads IT innovation, product design, and development. Prior to Runecast, he worked at IBM leading large-scale virtualization and consolidation projects for IBM’s enterprise customers and heading IBM’s EMEA VMware Best Practice Group. Beyond his VMware vExpert status, he is passionate about everything cloud, automation, and mobile, and spends his free time biking with his family, reading Sci-Fi, and traveling.


Kateřina Huspeninová
Kateřina Huspeninová
Chief Finance Officer

Kateřina is responsible for internal control, budgeting, financial planning, and more. Before Runecast, she held several Finance management positions in several large organizations in the Czech Republic. Kateřina also holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Management from Zlin University, as well as an MBA from VVIS. Outside of work, Kateřina enjoys traveling, photography, and spending time with her family, preferably somewhere by the sea.

Ched Smokovic
Ched Smokovic
Co-Founder and CRO

Ched leads customer outreach and partner programs as well as business operations. Before Runecast, Ched spent almost five years at IBM, leading and training teams across support, IT delivery, and operations. His 15+ years of experience in IT support, development, and architecture help deliver a world-class experience to Runecast customers. Other than work, Ched enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, and photography.

Constantin Ivanov
Constantin Ivanov
Co-Founder and Senior Systems Engineer

Constantin is responsible for DevOps and the development of Runecast Analyzer. He leverages his experience in digitalization design, maintenance, and troubleshooting to continually optimize Runecast Analyzer from his VMware vExpert perspective. Prior to joining Runecast in 2015, Constantin worked for eight years at IBM, between its VMware and Windows engineering teams. When he’s not in the office, he enjoys skiing, hiking, and inline skating.

Ionut Radu
Ionut Radu
Engineering Manager

Ionut is responsible for Technical Partnerships, our Support team, and various special projects. Before Runecast, he spent more than eight years at IBM, with his last two as a VMware engineer, designing and implementing virtual infrastructures and disaster recovery solutions. Ionut has been recognized as a vExpert for the past several years, holding also several industry-level certifications, including VCAP-DCV. Beyond the office, he is a proud father of two boys and enjoys family time, reading, traveling, and playing tennis, football and basketball.

Markus Strauss
Markus Strauss
Chief Product Officer (CPO)

Markus helps drive the future of our enterprise solutions. He’s a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in risk management, cybersecurity, and performance monitoring. Prior to Runecast, Markus spent time with SolarWinds, McAfee, GE, New Relic, and several other enterprise organizations where he held various leadership and technical roles. In his spare time, Markus enjoys working on his classic motorcycles and, time or weather permitting, enjoys riding them along the Irish coastline.


Michaela Koláčková
Michaela Koláčková
Head of People & Operations

Michaela's responsibilities include recruitment, taking care of the team members and ensuring that all operations run smoothly. She studied HR at Middlesex University in London, and she worked at people-oriented positions at Trefoil Tutors and Chepstow House School. When she has some free time, she volunteers with a HR project/community, she is an avid reader, enjoys learning about and creating art, and loves to travel and hike.

Michiel de Lepper
Michiel de Lepper
Global Enablement Manager

Michiel is responsible for enabling Runecast and Channel sales and technical reps to be more successful, as well as optimising programs and processes. He has been in the IT Security industry for over 12 years and has held positions in Sales, Channel and Technical roles. Michiel is Dutch, but moved to Ireland over 10 years ago and is based in Cork. In his spare time he enjoys wakeboarding, wood working, science fiction and spending time with his wife Eleanor and their young son Tadgh.

Michal Trněný
Michal Trněný
Lead AI Engineer and Manager

Michal coordinates data preparation and automation efforts within Runecast's R&D. His responsibility is to enable regular and smooth updates for detection of vulnerabilities, security noncompliance, and other data. Having joined the company right after university studies, Michal has gained vast experience in Python development as well as leadership roles during his years at Runecast. His hobbies include hiking, photography, and observing wildlife, ideally all at once.

Zuzana Bělehradová
Zuzana Bělehradová
Senior Marketing Manager

Zuzana leads the Marketing team to ensure consistent communications with customers, partners, prospects and the wider Runecast community. She is responsible for strategy and support for the team and possesses a strong track record of developing and executing successful marketing campaigns and building up a worldwide community for tech and crowdfunding projects. Zuzana holds a Master's degree in Business & Management and a MiniMBA in Brand Management. If not at work, you can find her at a CrossFit gym, traveling, or exploring local gastronomy.

Jakub Prášek
Jakub Prášek
Customer Experience Lead

Jakub leads our Product and Marketing UX design strategy. His main responsibilities include enabling customers to be maximally efficient with our product and that our communications are cohesive and aligned with our values and mission. Before joining Runecast, he worked at companies like SolarWinds and Y Soft, where he was responsible for guiding cross-product UX patterns for enterprise applications used by all of the Fortune 500 companies and more than 350,000 enterprise customers worldwide. Jakub is a family guy, wine enthusiast and CyberSec optimist.

Lucie Gergelová
Lucie Gergelová
Engineering Manager

Lucie coaches and guides the development teams in the R&D department under the principles of Agile project management. Before joining Runecast she was working at KBC Bank in different positions from payments to IT. During the last three years, she focused on gaining experience specifically in scrum and people management. Lucie earned an Engineering degree in Economics from Masaryk University. Outside of working time she enjoys traveling, reading and walking in nature.

Dan King
Dan King
Head of Recruitment

Daniel is responsible for all things Talent at Runecast. He’s a seasoned recruiter with over 12 years’ experience in the Security tech space. Prior to Runecast, Daniel ran the Recruitment team at global tech consultancy Devoteam UK and spent multiple years in Technology recruitment in London. He holds a BSc in Sports Development and coaching, which is handy as he is also a First Team football coach/analyst for Portsmouth Football Clubs Women’s first team. Holding UEFA Coaching badges, if he’s not coaching he’s analysing matches or spending time walking his dog in the Kent countryside.

Jason Mashak
Jason Mashak
Senior Manager, Analyst & Public Relations

Jason is responsible for public relations and building relationships with analysts. Before Runecast, he helped to grow Avira and Avast into globally recognized leaders in the security industry. Prior to that, he was an editor with IDC and spent five years in security sales for ADT. He holds a Master's in Education (M.Ed.) from Portland State University in Oregon. Beyond work, Jason enjoys family time, reading, writing, and making music.


Nikita Palchikov
Nikita Palchikov
Sales Operations Manager

Nikita leads the SalesOps team to support sales strategy, create and manage sales systems and policies, improve processes, track metrics and provide sales reports. He has a passion for design and automation, and thrives on optimizing sales operations and helping Runecast scale sales processes efficiently. He is currently studying for his MBA at UNYP with a concentration in Global Business Services. If he’s not busy preparing for university exams, he enjoys working out and training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or exploring the Prague restaurant scene.

Steve Bettison
Steve Bettison
Lead Technical Sales Engineer

Steve is responsible for leading the Sales Engineers at Runecast, ensuring that the AE’s are supported technically in customer engagements. An experienced Technical Consultant with a proven track record in the IT and services industry, he is skilled in the Runecast platform, VMware & virtualization technologies, Virtual SAN solutions and more. Prior to Runecast, Steve worked at StorMagic, Schlumberger & BG Group in various technical roles. Steve has a degree in Business IT and is a VMware Certified Professional. Steve loves to spend time with his family and friends, enjoys walking and watching football.

Tomas Mouryc
Tomas Mouryc
QA Manager

Tomas is responsible for the testing process and general quality assurance throughout the Runecast development cycle. Prior to Runecast, he worked at FNZ as Test Manager for the retail financial platform of Zurich Ltd. His responsibilities included test strategy definition, UAT support, test environment management, and coordination with clients and internal teams such as infrastructure, release and support. In his spare time he enjoys playing chess.