Ian Schmertzler

Activist
DISC Type : Cd

Co-CEO at Dispel

Austin, Texas, United States

Overview

Ian Schmertzler is the Co-CEO and Founder of Dispel, where he specializes in securing operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems. An Industrial Engineer by training, he holds a BA from Yale University and an MSc from the Georgia Institute of Technology, focusing on designing systems that operate efficiently at scale.

Beyond his work in cybersecurity, Ian has a background in competitive sports and the arts. He was a coxswain for the Yale lightweight crew team and also has experience playing the cello. He is actively involved in professional organizations related to national defense.

Unique fact: As a university student, he coxed a crew that reached the finals of the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in the United Kingdom.

Personality Overview

Observative

Value Conscious

Logical And Quick

They don’t always try to control the conversation but neither do they like yielding it fully.  They respond well to confident salespeople. They can be nudged to make faster decisions by offering what they value.

Topics They Care About

OT Cybersecurity
His work and public speaking focus on securing operational technology for critical infrastructure, emphasizing uptime, availability, and safety for industrial customers.
Moving Target Defense
He is a vocal advocate for Moving Target Defense, a proactive cybersecurity strategy that his company Dispel specializes in to protect networks and remote access.
National Defense
He serves as the Vice President of the National Defense Industrial Association's New York chapter, aligning with his stated interests in organizations like the US Navy.

Media Appearances

Ian has no verified media appearances

Work History

7-2024
Co-CEO at Dispel
4-2017 - 7-2024
President & CFO at Dispel
1-2015 - 4-2017
CFO at Dispel
11-2010 - 9-2014
Associate at BlackRock | Financial Markets Advisory Group
Intern at Yale Investments Office

Education

2015 - 2016
Masters from Georgia Institute of Technology
2014 - 2014
Web Development Immersive from General Assembly

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 14 Location : Austin, Texas, United States Job Level : N/A Designation : Co-CEO at Dispel
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Insights For Selling To Ian

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Highlight the competitive differentiation of your product
  • Refer to testimonials from others in similar positions
  • Be crisp while making the pitch

DONT's

  • Avoid repeating yourself or making generalizations
  • Don't try too hard to get friendly, let it happen with time
  • Don’t expect them to change their mind quickly if they say no once

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Ian is

  • Conviction in the product matters to them, followed by proof points and strong testimonials.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Ian

  • They may not be very forthcoming, but they will say no if needed.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Ian move?

  • Their decision making speed is somewhere in the middle.
  • Can Ian take some risk or not?

  • They can take risks but after weighing up the pros and cons.

You And Ian

Personality Compatibility


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