Reston-based Babel Street names new CEO, CFO

Founder and previous CEO to serve on board

Published April 14, 2022 by Courtney Mabeus-Brown

Reston-based Babel Street Inc., a web and social media monitoring company, has named a new CEO and chief financial officer, according to a news release.

Michael Southworth succeeds Babel Street founder and CEO Jeff Chapman, who has been named vice chairman of the company’s board of directors. Brian Daum has joined the company as CFO.

“I am proud to have served as CEO over the last decade, leading a dedicated team that has turned a mere idea into an industry-leading software company,” Chapman said in a statement. “We have supported the missions of [hundreds] of organizations in the U.S. and internationally, helping them make the world safer and more prosperous. I am confident in this next generation of leadership at Babel Street and want to extend a warm welcome to Michael and Brian.”

Southworth has more than 20 years experience building and growing software and analytics companies focused on digital transformation. He previously served as president of Transflo, a provider of mobile business intelligence and payments solutions for the transportation industry, according to his LinkedIn account. He has also led Verint Systems’ AI and automation business and held executive roles with Contact Solutions, Corning Incorporated and MobileAccess Networks.

Daum most recently served as a senior adviser, CFO and COO at BlackSky, a leading geospatial intelligence software as a service business, where he led the company through its NYSE initial public offering. 

Founded in 2009, Babel Street also has offices in London; Canberra, Australia; and Ottawa.

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