# Nathan Thompson

> Nathan Thompson is the founder, chairman and CEO of Spectra Logic, the Boulder data storage and management company he started in October 1979 at age 19 while studying engineering. His career spans memory boards, tape libraries and storage software; he coauthored Society’s Genome and collects and restores vintage pinball machines.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman and CEO at Spectra Logic
- **Organizations:** Spectra Logic, Spectra Logic Europe Limited, University of Colorado Boulder Electrical Engineering Advisory Board, YPO, YPO Gold, Colorado Thirty Group
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science, University of Colorado Boulder
- **Known for:** Founded and continues to lead Spectra Logic, established in 1979., 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year recognition from Ernst & Young and USA Today, as recorded in his official biography., University of Colorado Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, 2003.

## Career timeline

- **1979** — Founded Western Automation in October at age 19 while attending the University of Colorado Boulder.
- **1988** — Western Automation acquired the Spectra Logic interface business, according to the 2022 Blocks & Files company history.
- **1993** — The combined company was renamed Spectra Logic Corporation.
- **1996** — Named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young and USA Today, according to his official biography.
- **1999** — Sold the Alexandria backup software division to Sterling Software to focus resources on tape libraries.
- **2003** — Received the University of Colorado Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award.
- **2011** — Delivered the Leeds School of Business commencement address at the University of Colorado Boulder.
- **2012** — Inducted into the Boulder County Business Hall of Fame.
- **2016** — Published Society’s Genome with Bob Cone and John Kranz.
- **2026** — Discussed the company’s origins, customer relationships and storage software in a three-part LTO Show interview series.

## Achievements

- Founded and continues to lead Spectra Logic, established in 1979.
- 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year recognition from Ernst & Young and USA Today, as recorded in his official biography.
- University of Colorado Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, 2003.
- Boulder County Business Hall of Fame induction, 2012.
- Coauthor of Society’s Genome: Genetic Diversity’s Role in Digital Preservation (2016).

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Part I of The LTO Show CEO series, published January 26, covered paper routes, pinball repair, early programming and the founding of Western Automation.
- **2026-02** — Part II, published February 9, discussed the Spectra Logic acquisition, hiring and the decision to focus on tape libraries.
- **2026-02** — Part III, published February 20, addressed customer differentiation, BlackPearl software and long-term storage opportunities.

## Links

- Website: https://societysgenome.com/nathan-thompson-bio/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/nathan-thompson
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22