Howard Niden Joining Textura Corporation as Chief Product Architect

CHICAGO, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Textura Corporation, the leading provider of collaboration solutions for the construction industry, announces the addition of Howard Niden to its management team in the newly-created position of Executive Vice President, Chief Product Architect.  Howard will focus on the expanding needs of the business as Textura continues to bring new collaborative software solutions to the construction market.

Howard will further strengthen the involvement of our clients in enhancing existing applications and developing new applications.  He will be responsible for product strategy, product design and product management.  He will also oversee market research and our intellectual property program.

In 2004 Howard worked closely with Pat Allin, Chairman and CEO, and Bill Eichhorn, EVP, to help found Textura.  He is named as a co-inventor on most of Textura's current patents.

Patrick Allin, Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are delighted to welcome Howard back to Textura.  Our market success has accelerated over the last few years and Textura has grown in response. Our clients like our existing products, Construction Payment Management and Pre-Qualification Management, and our technology platform.  Howard brings significant expertise to ensure that our vision and product strategy support the evolving needs of our clients.  He will work closely to partner with our clients in every phase of product development and enhancement."

Commenting on his appointment, Howard said: "I am very pleased to join Textura.  It is gratifying to see how Textura's product offerings have evolved since my early work with Pat and Bill and how the products have been embraced by the construction industry.  I believe Textura's collaborative technology platform solves long-standing issues and can make the entire industry more efficient and productive.  My philosophy in developing product requirements is that it is critical to involve clients and prospective clients.  I intend to expand Textura's outreach to more directly involve clients in the actual product development and review processes.  This gives clients a voice that is important to our priority setting."

Jeff Wagner, Textura Chief Technology Officer, remarked, "Textura is in the unique position to deliver an integrated set of solutions to help general contractors and subcontractors manage construction projects from pre-qualification and bid to construction and close out.  Howard brings important skills and experience to help us realize this vision.  I look forward to close collaboration between development and Howard's product role to ensure that the products and enhancements being developed meet client needs and fulfill Textura's vision."

Howard is a well regarded IT executive with over 25 years as a creative and innovative senior systems executive with senior management level experience at large global businesses.  He most recently was Global CIO for Mayer Brown, a top 10 global law firm and an InformationWeek 500 company.  Before that he held numerous positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers including Global CTO for the consulting business and North American Systems Integration Leader.  Howard was the technology Partner on a variety of complex systems integration projects with companies like Sony, Kellogg, GE Aircraft Engine and Caremark.  Howard also held technology-related positions with the University of Chicago and PacTel Spectrum services and served on the faculty of the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business.

About Textura

Founded in 2004, Textura has developed the only robust collaborative industry solutions for construction payment management, Textura—CPM, and for pre-qualification management, Textura—PQM.

Textura—CPM electronically integrates all construction payment management process components – billing, lien waiver collection, statutory declaration collection, sub-tier waivers, compliance management, and payments – into one seamless work flow.  CPM helps contractors and others involved in construction projects realize significant efficiency benefits from automation and streamlining; and, risk reduction from improved control and visibility.

Textura—PQM automates the entire pre-qualification process for everyone by facilitating the electronic submission, review, approval and updating of all pre-qualification documents.  PQM's online data management system speeds the pre-qualification process by allowing subcontractors to enter their information one-time into a database which can then produce tailored pre-qualification forms that provide specific information required by individual general contractors.  PQM provides contractors with dramatic efficiency benefits and a foundation for better information and decision-making.  PQM supports MWBE programs.  Please visit our website at www.texturacorp.com.

SOURCE Textura Corporation