This week’s employee spotlight is on Siamak Taghaddos. OK, so maybe he’s not technically an employee but he sure does play a big role here at Grasshopper. Siamak is the co-founder and CEO of Grasshopper. He oversees the strategic direction of the company and is our company’s brand and product visionary.

Let’s get to know Siamak…

If you could meet one person, alive or dead, who would it be?

John D. Rockefeller - I'd love to understand how someone can create such a successful business without any of the technology we take for granted today and without any formal understanding of entrepreneurship. Today we have schools like Babson and HBS to teach us, we have Steve Jobs' videos and teachings and INC magazine to learn from, and mentors to guide us but back then to have created such an empire without any of that, fascinates me. He was also a great philanthropist and donated an enormous amount to improving human lives at a time when barely anyone else was doing so. He was a true genius and to be able to learn from him would be tremendous.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

There was never a particular profession that excited me as a kid, but as far as I can remember nothing excited me more than traveling the world. James Bond, without the spy part.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Having to follow up with people. It's the single most frustrating part of running a company.

Clarification: Having to follow up with people who were supposed to follow up with me.

What’s your favorite place you’ve visited?

Cap d'Antibes

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

To never burn bridges. My mom instilled that piece of advice in me. It's come in handy many times and I'm glad I listened.

Fun facts – have anything interesting people should know about you?

I love space and everything it stands for. I plan to visit the VLTs in Chile soon and get involved in space tourism in the future.