DaPore Steps Down As PeopleMatter CEO

Nate DaPore --- the founder of Charleston-based PeopleMatter and a leader in the region's burgeoning technology scene --- has stepped down as CEO of the software firm he launched seven years ago. "I've been here since I started the company on my dining room table seven years ago," DaPore said.

The cloud-based workforce management software platform now serves more than 45,000 service-industry locations.

DaPore said he felt ready to move on to the next stage in his career. He met with the PeopleMatter board of directors about two months ago and announced his plans to resign as president and CEO.

The board then began a search for his replacement. George Mackie started Monday as the new president and CEO of PeopleMatter. Mackie, a former partner with Atlanta-based venture firm Noro-Moseley Partners and the former CEO of DBS Systems, has decades of experience in the technology industry.

"He is the right person to take the company to the next level and accelerate its growth," DaPore said. "I'm very excited about his leadership and his being at the helm of the company, and I feel like the company is in great hands. ... George is walking into an opportunity to take it to the next level."

DaPore said no major changes are planned regarding processes, growth plans or leadership positions for the company, which currently has more than 100 employees. DaPore declined to share the company's revenue.

As chairman emeritus, a large shareholder and the company founder, DaPore said he expects to stay involved with PeopleMatter by consulting on special projects and assisting with the leadership transition.

Looking ahead, DaPore said he wants to continue as an entrepreneur and investor, possibly teach, work on his next book and get more involved in growing the Charleston technology scene, particularly with the Charleston Digital Corridor, Dig South and The Harbor Entrepreneur Center. He also serves as a member of the boards of the corridor, YesCarolina and Hampden-Sydney College.

"I have some other ideas on the workbench for a next venture. ... And I'm super excited about the bustling tech scene and getting back into helping aspiring entrepreneurs and mentoring. ... This is a great time for me to step back into helping build Silicon Harbor," DaPore said.

Since its founding in 2009, PeopleMatter has secured more than $60 million from venture capitalists and other investors. The firm occupies two offices on Upper King Street after expanding in spring 2014.

The company had an unspecified number of layoffs in fall 2014. And last year, the company launched Peoplelytics, which uses clients' data and helps them make decisions, predict situations and solve problems.

"It really feels like the right time. I'm a serial entrepreneur. I like to build things and start things, and that's what I want to get back into," DaPore said. "I felt like the company was in a fantastic spot and it's a great time to leave on a high and leave the company in good hands. Timing is everything."