James H. Rock
Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Jim Rock is the CEO of Akustica, a leading developer of innovative microphone and speaker chips that improve sound quality in cell phones and laptops.  Jim formed Akustica in 2001 with co-founder Dr. Ken Gabriel to commercialize patented micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology developed at Carnegie Mellon University. Akustica licensed this core MEMS technology, raised venture financing, recruited experienced semiconductor industry professionals, developed valuable products for global markets, and secured top-tier customers and partners in North America, Europe, and Asia. 

A veteran technology industry executive and entrepreneur, Jim has more than 15 years of experience in category creation and company building.  Prior to forming Akustica in 2001, Jim was a founder and executive of Zefer Corp., a Boston-based technology and business services company. At Zefer, he supported the rapid development of the organization which produced $110 million in revenue during its first full year of operation, attracted $150 million in venture capital and grew to 800 employees in less than 2 years.  Zefer was ultimately acquired by NEC Corporation of Japan.  Before launching Zefer, Jim held executive and management positions at Cambridge Technology Partners in Boston, Carnegie Group in Silicon Valley, U.S. Steel Corporation in Pittsburgh, and Bayer AG in Leverkusen, Germany. 

As an avid supporter of technology entrepreneurship, Jim is a Board member of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and advises technology companies in the US and Europe.  Jim earned an industrial and manufacturing systems engineering degree from Penn State University.