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Executive team

Jon S. von Tetzchner

Co-founder — Chief Executive Officer

Jon S. von Tetzchner, along with colleague Geir Ivarsøy, started developing a Web browser while working for Norwegian Telecom Research (Telenor) in 1994. Soon after, the Opera browser was available for the public and is now widely used, pioneering many innovations that have revolutionized Web browsing.

As CEO of Opera Software, Tetzchner spreads the company's vision of One Web, which means giving people universal access to the Web the way they like it. Opera, the oldest browser company still in business, believes the Web is too important to be available to the privileged few. Opera’s cross-platform browser provides the best possible Internet experience regardless of platform, device capability or network quality. Opera's leading Web technology is now popular the world over for its unique features--especially because it is nimble, secure and fast.

Tetzchner has been a member of the Forum for Young Global Leaders since 2005 and was named as one of BusinessWeek's Stars of Europe in 2004. In 2009, Tetzchner was named as one of the top 40 leaders shaping the mobile communications industry by analyst firm Informa and as one of the top 15 mobile influencers by GigaOM. Tetzchner is a self-confessed geek with a big interest in gadgets and high-tech devices. His interest in computers started in his early days, especially in user interfaces and accessibility. While traveling, he may prefer a visit to local electronics stores rather than a popular tourist spot. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Oslo.

Tetzchner owns 94.05% of Daland AS, an investment company which holds 17,012,824 shares in Opera Software.

Rolf Assev

Chief Strategy Officer

Rolf Assev started his post-secondary education at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, before receiving his Master of Science degree from the Norwegian School of Business Administration in 1988. Rolf's work experience includes the Norwegian Trade Council in Stockholm, the marketing department of the Lillehammer Olympic Organizing Committee, senior consultant for the Nordic PR agency Geelmuyden.Kiese and managing director for Spaceworld AS. He started with Opera in 1999, taking on the responsibility of building up the Sales and Marketing department.

Rolf Assev holds a total of 466,516 shares and 192,000 options in Opera Software, and with family owns 100% of shares in the investment company Bjørnvold Invest that owns 349,000 shares in the company.

Lars Boilesen

Chief Commercial Officer

Boilesen has extensive sales and marketing experience and has held executive positions in various corporations including Opera Software where he was Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Prior to that, Lars headed the Northern Europe and Asia Pacific markets for Tandberg. Lars started his career at Lego Group where he was Sales and Marketing manager for Europe.

Lars Boilesen holds 580,000 options in the Company.

Rikard Gillemyr

Executive Vice President, Engineering

Rikard Gillemyr began his affiliation with Opera Software in 1998, when he and the other co-founders of Hern Labs in Sweden ported Opera 3 to BeOS.

After officially joining Opera Software in 2000, Gillemyr has been responsible for many of Opera’s major deliveries, including Opera on BREW and the Opera for Devices SDK. Gillemyr previously served as the country manager of Opera’s offices in Poland and Korea before his appointment to Vice President of Engineering.

He was educated at the Linköping Institute of Technology where he studied Computer Science and Engineering until 1999.

Gillemyr holds 360,000 shares and 330,000 options in the company.

Erik C. Harrell

COO/CFO — Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer

Prior to joining Opera, Harrell was CFO of the European operations for Advent Software, a NASDAQ-listed software company based in San Francisco, California, USA. Harrell’s professional experience includes six years at JP Morgan & Co. in New York, where he was Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions, a stint in Intel Capital, and the role of Founder and CEO of an early-stage internet software company.

Harrell has an MBA with Distinction from the Harvard Business School and holds an MA and BA (Phi Beta Kappa) from The Johns Hopkins University.

Erik Harrell holds 448,000 unexercised options and 60,000 shares in the Company.

Christen Krogh

Chief Development Officer

Before joining Opera, Christen Krogh worked as research director at SINTEF Telecom and Informatics, and as business developer at TV 2 Interactive. His previous work experience includes assignments as research scientist at various research institutes, as well as the position as adviser and group leader.

Krogh holds an interdisciplinary doctorate degree from the University of Oslo, and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Glasgow University.

Christen Krogh holds a total of 15,921 shares and 402,000 options in Opera Software.

Håkon Wium Lie

CTO — Chief Technology Officer

Håkon Wium Lie joined Opera in 1999 as the Chief Technology Officer. Prior to his position at Opera, Wium Lie worked for W3C, where he proposed the concept of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). He is a knowledgeable speaker on languages for the Web, as well as the past, present and future of the Web. Prior speaking engagements include XTech, International World Wide Web Conference Committee (IW3C2), Atypi and Seybold. Wium Lie has also written for The Register, CNET and A List Apart.

After receiving his Master’s degree from MIT Media Lab, Wium Lie worked as a research scientist at Norwegian Telecom Research and later at CERN, the birthplace of the Web. From 1995 to 1999, Wium Lie worked for W3C, after which he joined Opera. He has also received a PhD degree from the University of Oslo in 2006.

In 1999, Technology Review included him on the TR100 list, “a group of one hundred young innovators in technology from around the world”. Wium Lie was also honored by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as one of the “Technology Pioneers” in 2000 and 2001.

In his spare time, Wium Lie enjoys spending time with his family, listening to classical music, painting, driving his electric car and fighting advertising. He currently resides in Oslo, Norway.

Lie owns 5.95% of Daland AS, an investment company which holds 17,012,824 shares in Opera Software.

After exercising options, Håkon Wium Lie holds 80,000 unexercised options in the Company.

Tove Selnes

Executive Vice President, Human Resources

Tove Selnes joined Opera in 2007 as VP of Human Resources and has more than ten years of experience in organizational management. Prior to working at Opera, Selnes served as Director of Human Resources at Eltel Networks where she was responsible for the development and implementation of the organization’s human resources strategy. Her professional experience also includes working at Avinor and Aetat.

Selnes holds a law degree from the University of Oslo, and is presently pursuing a Master’s of Management degree at the Norwegian School of Management. In 1994 she was awarded an Erasmus scholarship with Bologna University in Italy, where she studied EU and international environmental rights. She is a noted and respected authority on human resources management.

Tove Selnes holds a total of 8,890 shares and 72,000 options in Opera Software.

Contact us

Opera Software ASA

Waldemar Thranes gate 98
NO-0175 OSLO
NORWAY

Tel: +47 23 69 24 00
Fax: +47 23 69 24 01

Other offices

Note: Product support is not available via telephone in any of the offices.

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