Applause, the global leader in testing, feedback and research for digital experiences, today formally announced Thom Kenney as its new Chief Technology Officer. The addition comes as the company’s suite of digital quality tools and services – including Applause Test Automation and Mobile Beta Management – have seen accelerated adoption by enterprise companies in recent quarters.
A software leader with more than 20 years of technology experience, Kenney leads the company’s global efforts across product, engineering and DevOps. Prior to Applause, Thom was VP of Global Engineering for LogMeIn.
A seasoned engineer with wide-reaching experience, Kenney has been a recipient of numerous awards, including distinguished military honors from multiple combat deployments overseas. He holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
“I’m ecstatic, not only to have Thom join the Applause team, but also for the reasons we added him,” said Applause CEO Doron Reuveni. “Adding someone of his level with such extensive enterprise-focused experience is a byproduct of our company’s growth and success. Our app quality offerings – and our ability to take those offerings to market – are maturing. Thom’s arrival fortifies us for the steep growth and market adoption our solutions are forecast to achieve.”
The hire is the latest news in what has been a headline-filled 18-month span for the app quality company. In late spring of 2014, the company announced an expanded vision and changed its name from uTest to Applause. At the same time, the company spun off a new, tester-centric uTest which itself relaunched late fall as a professional network for QA and QE professionals. Applause also made its formal entry into the EU with a major acquisition of leading German crowdtesting company, Testhub (which became Applause EU).
The company has seen steep growth and added to its collection of accolades. In February of 2015, the company was named to its 3rd consecutive list of Most Promising Companies in America by Forbes Magazine. In June, the company won its 5th American Business Award, this one for “Most Innovative Company – up to 2500 employees” Then, in August, the company was named to its 4th consecutive placing in the top 25% of the Inc. 5000.