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At least four executives of high-technology companies were on airplanes that crashed into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon on Tuesday, Sept. 11.
Daniel C. Lewin, 31, co-founder and chief technology officer of Akamai Technologies, was on American Airlines Flight 11, which terrorists flew into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
George Conrades, chairman and CEO of Akamai, said in a statement, “Danny was a wonderful human being. He will be deeply missed by his many friends at Akamai. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dannys family, friends and colleagues during this time of national tragedy and personal loss.”
James E. Hayden, 47, CFO of Waltham, Mass., Web security firm Netegrity, was on United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston to Los Angeles, which was the plane that smashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
Hayden lived in Westford, Mass. He joined Netegrity as chief financial officer in April 1998; previously, he was vice president, corporate controller and treasurer of Computervision, an electronic product design software company in Bedford, Mass., that was acquired in November 1997 by Parametric Technology.
Netegrity CEO Barry Bycoff made the following statement: “I speak on behalf of the entire company in conveying our deepest sadness at the tragic loss of an incredible human being and friend. Our sympathies are with his family and friends during this very difficult time.” Netegrity said it will establish a James Hayden Memorial Fund.
Edmund Glazer, 41, CFO of MRV Communications, was also on American Flight 11. Glazer joined MRV, an optical network components company in Chatsworth, Calif., in June 1995.
Noam Lotan, president and CEO of MRV, said in a statement, “This is a very sad day for MRV and for all who knew Edmund. He was a true friend, and his kindness and devotion will be deeply missed. We have lost a member of our family, and his loss is overwhelming to us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Edmunds family, friends and colleagues, and all the families that have suffered personal losses during this tragedy.”
Steven D. “Jake” Jacoby, 43, chief operating officer of Metrocall, a wireless messaging company in Alexandria, Va., was on American Airlines Flight 77, which hit the Pentagon yesterday.
“Taken from us yesterday morning was an outstanding father, a loving husband, an incredible and loyal friend, and a creative, dedicated steward of Metrocall,” said Bill Collins, Metrocalls president and CEO, in a statement. “Anyone who knew Jake can imagine the unspeakable loss we are feeling. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Metrocall family are with Jakes family during this difficult time.”
Jacoby was previously COO of FirstPage USA, which he joined in 1988. Metrocall merged with FirstPage in 1994. Jacoby lived in Alexandria; he is survived by his wife Kim and three children.