Everyone knows the tech world is ultra-competitive.
Funny thing is, some execs can't get enough of the thrill of metaphorically kicking rear.
We've found 14 tech execs who, in addition to helping their companies beat rivals in the marketplace, also enjoy beating their opponents physically.
They are skilled martial artists.
They wouldn't say it. but we will: If you challenge them, you'll probably get a smackdown.
Joris Merks-Benjaminsen, Head of Research, Google Benelux
Merks-Benjaminsen works with Google's large advertisers to help them understand the ins and outs of online marketing and how they can use it strategically, according to his LinkedIn profile.
His research in Europe is used in the marketing of Chrome, Android, Google+ and YouTube.
He's a black belt in judo and aikido and has practiced martial arts for the past 20 years, and he's a European Champion and Open German Champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Probably not the kind of guy you want to tell Android fragmentation jokes to.
Glenn Brunette, Senior Director of Cybersecurity at Oracle
Brunette is senior director and cybersecurity lead for Oracle's North American Public Sector business, and a well-known figure in IT security circles.
He's in charge of making sure Oracle's hardware and software products don't have security flaws.
Brunette also has some serious martial arts skills. Here's what he lists on his LinkedIn profile:
- USA Taekwondo National Championships (Black Belt Forms) - Gold Medal (2010)
- 3rd Degree Black Belt - Kukki Taekwondo (2013)
- 2nd Degree Black Belt - Ryukyu Kempo (2013)
- 2nd Degree Black Belt - Kukki Taekwondo (2010)
- 1st Degree Black Belt - American Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan (1989)
- Green Belt - Small Circle Jujitsu (2012)
Go ahead, make a joke about Java being full of security holes.
Lloyd (Budd) Dewolf, Director of Quality & Care at Piston Cloud Computing
Dewolf has a dual role at Piston Cloud Computing, a hot startup whose co-founder Joshua McKenty helped invent OpenStack, a sort of operating system for cloud computing.
He's in charge of keeping customers happy and Piston's products free of flaws.
He began practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu last year and was immediately hooked. Knowing when you're overmatched is one of the important lessons he's learned from it.
"I tap out regularly, it is a matter of submitting or spending weeks with sore shoulders or other joints," Dewolf told us.
Learning BJJ has business benefits as well, he says.
"It has become a lot harder to be frustrated with other people when I'm so regularly at the mercy of grips and positioning. I've been able to let go of some of my drive for perfection," he says.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider