CEO Turned Mystery Author As counsel to the Senate Intelligence Committee, Keith Raffel held a top secret clearance to watch over CIA activities. As an entrepreneur, he founded UpShot Corporation, Silicon Valley’s first company based on a cloud computing model, and sold it to Siebel Systems. These days he stays busy writing his mysteries and thrillers in Palo Alto, California. The national bestseller Smasher: A Silicon Valley Thriller is his latest. Drop by www.keithraffel.com for updates. He has also been a carpenter, college writing instructor, candidate for elective office, and professional gambler. www.keithraffel.com About TEDx, x=independently organize event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)