Nicolas Simon - CEO and Co-Founder

Once you meet Nicolas Simon, it’s no surprise to find out that he transitioned into IT from the Hospitality Industry.  Unlike many in the computer field, he has a honed ability to communicate with people.  And more importantly, he works hard to get them what they want.  His less suave counterparts aren’t sure how he does it.   Of course, the French accent doesn’t hurt. 


After working abroad as a Sommelier for the Royal Viking and Seabourn Cruise Lines, Nicolas launched his computer career innocently enough by landing the position of Director of Vendor Relationships at LesConcierges in San Francisco, CA.  His impressive client list included American Express Platinum Program, SUN Microsystems, Microsoft and Lockheed Martin.  Meeting these major corporation’s requirements spurred Nicolas to explore technologies that brought LesConcierges services straight to the desks of its clients.    


After several Site Producer positions in Silicon Valley, Nicolas took a slightly more stable position at Fireman’s Fund Insurance in Novato, CA.  He once again worked with top-tier clients and large-scale, multi-million, multi-vendor technology projects, leading teams to deploy Policy Processing Systems to insurance agents. During his downtime at Fireman’s fund, Nicolas became a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.


His latest gig is as Director of IT for Forma Homes, an innovative construction firm based out of California and Nevada.  Nicolas was instrumental in introducing this Swedish style of manufacturing top-quality homes to American vendors and helped communicate their company’s services and goals by creating and managing their website as well as directing their entire IT insfrastructure..


Nicolas has taken these two seemingly opposing worlds -- hospitality and computers -- and skillfully melded them into the client-friendly philosophy that epitomizes Cowbell Systems.  And, once again, we’re sure you’ll enjoy the French accent just as much as we do.
The Simon family, wife Susan and children Chloe and Max, is enjoying their new home in North Carolina.  Their Shih Tzu Tinker is also enjoying it, except for the daunting flight of stairs, which he demands to be carried up and down several times daily.  Nicolas still enjoys food and wine in his off time, as well as the occasional fly-fishing trip with his father-in-law.  Unlike Hans, he’s sworn off motorcycles after nearly losing his life in France as a passenger. 


C’est la vie.