James Porter is president and founder of DISK/TREND, Inc., the publisher of market studies of the worldwide disk drive and data storage industries. He first became involved with data storage products in 1968, when he joined the industry pioneer Memorex, serving in a variety of marketing management positions through 1971. After gaining experience with early hand-held calculators at Rockwell International, the first consumer video tape recorder at Cartridge Television and the original computer controlled video editing systems at CMX Systems, a CBS-Memorex joint venture, he began his own management consulting business in 1974. In 1977 he founded DISK/TREND, Inc. After 23 years, the companies publishing activities were phased out, and he is now preparing histories of the disk drive industry, in addition to consulting with the management of data storage manufacturers. Porter is also a founder and active participant of IDEMA, the disk drive industry's trade association. Porter is also a member of the Computer History Museum’s Advisory Board. Update: Mr. Porter passed away on March 2, 2012.
