Stephen Smith

Managing Director

Stephen Smith
Managing Director

 Office: 617-451-0001 | Mobile: 978-254-1766

Steve Smith joined Dunn Rush & Co. in 2010 and serves as Managing Director in the area of Technology, Software and Data Services. Mr. Smith’s specific areas of expertise include internet, enterprise IT, and telecommunications and networking. Prior to Dunn Rush he served in a variety of technical and executive positions with internet, software, and information technology companies both in New England and globally. 

Mr. Smith most recently served as Chairman and CEO of Fonative, Inc., a developer of VoIP software for enterprise call centers that was acquired by FINVI in 2021. Fonative was originally founded by Mr. Smith as Ampersand, Inc., a software development and IT services firm that served the Department of Defense and national intelligence communities. Ampersand worked for a variety of prime contractors, including PRC, Sterling Software, Lockheed Martin, BTG, SAIC, Sanders, Sun Federal, TRW, and Titan Aerospace.

Previously, Mr. Smith was CTO and Chief Scientist for Lavalife, a North American leader in the area of internet, voice, and mobile dating products.   In this role he was instrumental in the firm’s sale to a public company and performed the technology assessments for smaller scale acquisitions in the areas of social networking, mobile gaming, interactive television, and virtual worlds that the firm made or investigated post-acquisition. 

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Steve is on the board of several nonprofit and industry association groups, and is Chair of Technology for the National Association of Corporate Directors New England Chapter.

He graduated with Distinction from Cornell University’s College of Engineering with a B.S. in Computer Science, and is a Registered Investment Banking Representative (Series 62, 63, 79).  Mr. Smith currently holds three patents in areas related to voice call processing (U.S. Patent Numbers 9,053,711; 9,679,584; and 10,014,006).

What Clients Are Saying About Dunn Rush

I’ve known the Principals of Dunn Rush & Co., for a number of years and have had the opportunity to work with them in many different capacities. They’re true professionals, with deep experience in a wide range of transactions, across several industries. They are good people and I have always enjoyed working with them. You can trust them to provide top-quality advice no matter what your situation or circumstances.

Mark Bono / Founder, Guide Capital Partners

I was approached by multiple potential buyers and knew I needed help to navigate the process while continuing to run my business. Dunn Rush was instrumental in organizing the data room, managing the bidding, facilitating negotiations, maintaining positive communications, maximizing the sale price and getting it over the line. I highly recommend Kevin and Greg.

Bob Keeley / Former Owner & CEO, Diversified Project Management, Inc.

Kevin and Greg helped me work through a very complicated series of simultaneous acquisition opportunities. They lined up and negotiated the necessary equity and debt financings, and worked through all the issues to get the best deal closed iin tough market conditions. They gave me great advice throughout the process and did whatever it took to help me get it done.

Pat Purcell / President & CEO of Herald Media

In my 40 plus years on Wall Street, I have met regiments of investment bankers. There have been none – i.e., not one – with the combined talent and integrity of Kevin Dunn.

John Adams / Founder, Adams Harkness & Hill and Chairman, Canaccord Adams (US)

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