GateKeeper was formed in 2003 to bring simple practical enterprise continuity solutions to businesses, institutions and governments. Gate-Keeper products and services have enabled them to efficiently manage high volumes of vital data assets and to protect and recover these assets from catastrophic loss.

GateKeeper was founded by members Chris Graeff (Chief Executive Officer), Terry Nickerson (Chief Technology Officer), Mark Miles (Chief Financial Officer) and J Scott Burson (Chief Security Officer)

Chris is responsible for formulating and implementing the vision, values, policies, programs, strategies, and objectives that ensure Gate-Keeper will be there when our customers need us.  As C.E.O., Chris develops the organizational systems and executive strategies with particular emphasis on urgency and continued expansion into new products, services, and markets.  He builds a culture of discovery that is clear, explicit, smooth and fun to attract and retain creative professional people to an enterprise they feel is their own. He is responsible to the Board and investors for achieving exceptional business results through wise capital and risk management. Chris also coordinates the architectural build-out and installation of the largest Gate-Keeper products.

Chris has over three decades of professional experience starting and managing public and private ventures at board and executive levels.  He is a registered architect with two advanced professional degrees in architecture and planning. He is a former university professor.  He founded and was the first director of a college division, co-founded a NASA-funded research station investigating Lunar geology and geodesic science, and founded 2 architectural practices in two states.  He is particularly well known for pioneering nationally award winning “high-tech high-touch” assisted living and neighborhood paradigms in the retirement industry.  He is fluent in several programming languages. Recently, he worked with other Gatekeeper members to build their award-winning data center.

Terry is responsible for enhancing the long-term competitive position and business value of Gate-Keeper by establishing and implementing our strategic technology vision. Our product line is his invention–the result of over a decade of forward-thinking development to bring secure computing to mission critical medical systems, corporations, and government. As C.T.O., he develops and implements the products, policies, processes, and resources to achieve our strategic technology vision. He provides executive leadership for emerging business lines, intellectual property, and external technical affiliations. Among his top initiatives are developing technology strategies, promoting technical excellence and innovation, leveraging intellectual capital, and building strategic technological alliances.

Terry is a veteran of the industry–a “who’s who” of corporate computing. For over 30 years, he has managed budgets exceeding $14 billion in senior level positions with First National Bank, Automatic Data Processing, Boeing, USBanCorp, and Adventist Health. As C.I.O/C.T.O. he helped build Copy Tech International, Applied Data Communications, Secure Data Corporation, Inter|Sections, and TEK Systems. Terry is a Big 5 consultant for Oregon Health Sciences University, Merix Corp, Weyerhauser, the State of Oregon, the cities of Portland and Seattle, and several Port and Airport security operations. He was a key contributing member in taking 6 companies from start-up through IPO. He delivered an EMP security white-paper to a 1996 FCC/FBI/Congressional Committee. Terry is a military and corporate test pilot.

Mark is responsible for directing the organization’s overall financial policies. He oversees all financial functions including accounting, budget preparation, employee benefit administration, insurance, product and service sales terms, tax matters and vendor contracts. Mark designs, coordinates and administers a wide variety of accounting and statistical data and reports. In this position, he demonstrates expertise in a variety of the field’s concepts, practices, and procedures including the strategic long range planning for the business. Mark has also coordinated capital fund-raising efforts.

Mark has over two decades experience as an officer of Crown Research Corporation, now as C.E.O. Crown is a leading national authority on retail and retirement community development and financing with a “who’s who” client list. Mark’s market research and economic feasibility services have directly led to over $530 million in project financings in recent years. His experience includes business and organizational development in a variety of industries, budgeting and analysis, staffing, strategic long range planning and capital financing using conventional loans, taxable and tax-exempt bonds, government securities, and limited partnerships. Mark chaired a municipal planning commission. He has published authoritative articles nationally and internationally on issues of planning, development and retirement services and facilities (including the use of technology). Mark holds degrees in Health Care Administration and graduate studies in Public Administration.

Scott implements the organization's overall business policies and strategies. He ensures that Safe Harbor security targets are met. He manages the Gate-Keeper Network Operations Center, implementing industry-recognized standards in security, disaster-recovery, and end-user support. Scott leads a highly skilled work force through wise human resources management policies, attracting people who are committed to doing their best and bringing out the best in others. In these roles, Scott demonstrates expertise in a variety of the industry's best practices and procedures including strategic certifications and long range planning.

Scott is a "go-to" results-oriented professional with over 14 years of experience in corporate computing. His background includes top clearances from the National Security Agency and the Defensive Investigative Service while serving in the US Navy in the cryptology field. His skills include efficient business security, continuity, and disaster recovery for corporations, including TEK Systems, IBS, Freightliner Corporation, US Bank and Leasing, US BanCorp, Intel, Entercom, Ibasis, and Southwest Washington Medical Center.