Mike Cassidy, a former Potomac resident and 1981 Churchill High School graduate, recently was named Entrepreneur in Residence with Benchmark Capital. Cassidy has co-founded, served as CEO and led three consumer Internet companies, serving as CEO of one of the fastest growing gaming communities on the internet.
Number of years living in the Potomac community:
My family has lived in Potomac for 32 years. I lived there during
some of elementary school (Beverly Farms), all of Jr. High (Hoover), all
of HS (Churchill). 7 years total.
Family (spouse, children, and/or pets:
Paul Cassidy (father) - lives in Potomac
Jane Cassidy (mother) - lives in Potomac
Laura Tayloe (sister) - lives in Arlington, VA
Education:
MIT, BS & MS in Aerospace Engineering
Harvard Business School, MBA
Berklee College of Music
Your first job:
Cutting lawns in Potomac. Working at Hot Shoppes Cafeteria at
Montgomery Mall.
Current job/primary occupation:
Entrepreneur in Residence at Benchmark Capital.
Activities/interests/hobbies?
Run or bike every day. Rock climbing. Ultimate Frisbee. Playing
jazz piano. Hiking.
Favorite local restaurant or place in the Potomac community?
Great Falls - hiking along the rocks.
Do you come back often?
I love coming back. I come back a few times each year. It still
feels like a wonderful place to live and visit!
What is the last book you read, or, the last movie you watched?
"Stem Cell Now" (book)
What brought your parents to Potomac?
They were looking for a great school system for my sister and me.
What community "hidden treasure" do you think more people should know about?
Great Falls park. I love hanging out on the rocks down there - whatever season. In the summer it's nice being by the water because it's cooler. In the winter it's nice sunning on the big flat rocks.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you "grew up?"
I wanted to be an Air Force fighter pilot or an astronaut.
If you were to take a road trip anywhere right now, where would you go?
South America - Patagonia, Chile, etc.
Personal goals?
I want to travel into space.
How did attending Churchill help you to be so successful in life?
I had some great teachers and classes at Churchill. I was in a program called "Two Cultures". This program integrated science/technology with liberal arts classes. There were some very great students in the class that I still keep in touch with. In fact, I've talked to or emailed 2 of them over the past month. And there were some terrific teachers in that program (Sarah Mate, Kent Walker, Charles Phillips, etc.) The Churchill Cross-Country team was also a big part of my life. I was on the team all 3 years. Running cross country at Churchill definitely increased my drive, energy, will power, etc. I also played in the Churchill Jazz Band and in many of the school plays.
How did you get involved in the gaming and technology business?
I always enjoy starting businesses in areas that I'm still learning
about. I had played a little bit of online games, and I found them
fascinating.
Got a favorite game?
I love playing Command & Conquer: Red Alert. :)