Mr. Alex Ford has been the CEO of the Praetorian Group, the leading online media company in the public safety market, since 2001. A co-founder of the company, Alex is focused on deepening the company’s business model by adding new products and services and expanding into new verticals.. Under his direction, Praetorian has launched more than. 25 websites, including PoliceOne.com, FireRescue1.com, EMS1.com and CorrectionsOne.com – all either the #1 or #2 media properties in their respective markets. He has led Praetorian to growth rate of more than 25% per year, with 20 straight quarters of profitability.. The Praetorian Group has received numerous online publishing awards, including two Western Publishing Association ‘Maggie’ Awards in 2009, recognizing the best media companies in the Western U.S. This past year, PoliceOne.com was recognized as one of the top 10 media sites by B@B Magazine alongside BusinessWeek.com, PCWeek.com and WallStreetJournal.com.. Alex’s background spans online media, Web development and design, marketing and business strategy. Prior to founding Praetorian, he was a consultant advising multiple Fortune 100 companies, including GM, IBM and Harley-Davidson. He also worked in investment banking in the Real Estate Finance Group at Smith Barney Inc.. Alex currently serves on the Board of Directors for Quantum 4D and Tactical Republic.. Alex graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College with a major in Economics and French. He lives in San Francisco and was born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts. He is an avid wine enthusiast and is one of the founders of San Francisco Wine Week. He is the primary contributor at ThinkOnlineNow.com, a blog focused on the discussion of online marketing and new media.
