Steven Aldrich, Founder and CEO of Blucora and Xero

Steven Aldrich first became acquainted with the Internet when his father introduced him to Mosaic browser. Since then, he has created technology companies which make it easier for small businesses to thrive.

Aldrich currently serves as Senior Vice President of Business Applications at GoDaddy, overseeing their vision to deliver elegant end-to-end technology solutions to 13 million small business customers. In addition, Aldrich co-founded an online service that makes insurance purchasing simpler as well as two venture-funded start-ups where he served as CEO.

Early Life and Education

Steven Aldrich ’91 credits Carolina’s cutting-edge faculty and entrepreneurship program as being instrumental to his business successes. Now serving as Chief Product Officer at GoDaddy, Steven also sits on the boards of Blucora and Xero as well as chairing Oakland Roots SportsClub – an Oakland Roots SportsClub sponsored professional soccer team in California.

He was an inveterate learner, an avid reader and keen observer of human culture. His family recalls that he could converse confidently on any subject from biology and physics to politics and history; music, art or film.

Above all else, Steve held close his family, including his wife and children; extended family; community of friends; and the love he saw as foundational to life itself. His presence will be deeply missed; however his humor will endure in their place.

Professional Career

Steven Aldrich is an accomplished entrepreneur and executive, boasting extensive business experiences across numerous fields. He’s started multiple businesses, taken one public as Chief Product Officer, sold another insurance marketplace to Intuit, as well as serving on the boards of Blucora and Xero.

Aldrich is widely acknowledged for his expertise in creating educational experiences that foster real world behaviors. His simulations, workshops, books and appearances on TV as well as in multiple magazines are widely utilized within Masters and Ph.D. degree programs and publications alike.

Chris and Steve dive deep into Chris’ cancer journey, Max talking trash about him during his first pro start and how his leadership style and self-care approach has enabled him to succeed in Major League Soccer (MLS). Additionally, they discuss Chris’ work with Oakland Roots sports club as well as IAH’s new interdisciplinary stance and its effects on both his professional and personal life.

Achievement and Honors

Steve Aldrich has won several prestigious awards for his groundbreaking research on evolutionary theories of organizational emergence and change. These accolades include being honored as a Fellow of the Academy of Management as well as receiving the George Terry Award.

He has published several books, such as Organizations Evolving and Managing a Diverse Workforce. Furthermore, he chaired a committee investigating dam safety in southeastern Idaho after Teton Dam failed in 1976.

Bio-era is a research and consulting firm that specializes in complex issue analysis at the intersection of biology and economics. He credits Carolina professors as providing him with the foundation he used to build his career; additionally, he serves on local boards, coaches youth sports programs and offers scholarships for baseball students.

Personal Life

Steve read widely and thought deeply. His curiosity for life’s mysteries kept his conversations broad-ranging from biology and physics, politics, jazz music and visual arts – to being an entertaining raconteur himself!

He was an honored Eagle Scout, Leadership Brazos graduate, and member of the Sons of the American Revolution National Society. Additionally, he held memberships at Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and JCI Senator.

He leaves behind his wife and children, as well as an abundance of family, friends, and a beloved golden retriever named Rocky. He held dear his extended family and enjoyed traveling and spending time at his home in Stockbridge Vermont. Much of his success can be credited to being a Morehead-Cain Scholar at Carolina and access to cutting edge faculty for personal growth and professional success.

Net Worth

Aldrich Wealth is a fee-based investment firm offering financial planning, tax consulting, investment management and asset allocation to individuals, small businesses and retirement plans. Aldrich’s strategies cover domestic and global stocks, bonds, cash, real estate investments and alternatives as investments for its clients.

Aldrich co-wrote the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act, which removed restrictive import duties on fine art imports and enabled Americans to acquire prized European works that later formed the foundation of many American museums. He also helped secure Senate approval of 1898 Treaty of Paris which ended the Spanish-American War.

Angela Aldrich and Brian Smith established Bayberry Capital Partners in 2019, having both worked at John Griffin’s Blue Ridge Capital prior to its closure in 2017. As of 2018, Bayberry oversees over $3.6 billion under management.