Robert J. Maynard Jr., the LifeLock founder who resigned from his own company after New Times revealed his lies and shady past, is now the CEO of an ocean adventure business in Waikiki.
A Federal Trade Commission order from the 1990s apparently bars Maynard Jr. from returning in an official capacity to the anti-identity-theft company he dreamed up. Last we heard, though, Maynard Jr. was still in for a 10-percent cut of LifeLock's revenues equity due to his work as a marketing consultant. The company's revenues have been substantial.
New Times' 2007 article about LifeLock exposed Maynard's FTC order, his bogus tale of being arrested because of identity theft and the apparent theft of his father's identity to obtain an American Express card. News outlets around the country picked up on the story. LifeLock distanced itself from its founder. But the company recovered from the (well-deserved) bad publicity and went on to make a mint. The company claims hundreds of thousands of customers, all paying about $10 apiece for an identity-theft protection service of questionable value.
Maynard Jr., presumably, is still getting his share — and we have to admit, his new business, Kandoo!, looks pretty cool, judging from the Web site. Snorkeling, scuba-diving, sailing, swimming with turtles — all in one of the world's most beautiful settings. [Maynard's assistant says he's in meetings this afternoon and cannot be reached].
According to an article in the Honolulu Advertiser, Maynard's bucking national business trends and preparing a mass hiring:
"We know these are tough economic times," said Robert Maynard, Kandoo! chief executive officer. "But we believe in Waikiki as one of the top global destinations. We are confident that will never change, and we believe in our vision for ocean activities."
He's the "Big Doo" in his new world:
I am filled with a sense of peace when I see the newborn whales learning how to use their enormous bodies. This can't really be work, can it? I stand awestruck as I see their leviathan mothers and fathers effortlessly move their 60-ton bulks through the Hawaiian water or I hear their beautiful song when I'm diving. Sometimes it's so loud that it vibrates through my heart and hurts my ears. I'm filled with the excitement and joy of a child on Christmas Day when the dolphins come and play in our bow wave and wake. Their happiness is palpable and their mastery of the sea surreal.
I cannot think of a more fulfilling endeavor than to give these experiences to children and families around the world. That's what KanDoo! is all about. Like the dichotomy of the Hawaiian island and the capriciousness of the changing seas, our vision is constantly evolving, our offerings expanding rapidly as we bring together what has become an unprecedented "perfect storm" of opportunity to give the world the experience of a lifetime on the water. My family is blessed and proud to be lucky enough to show your family the wonder of the Sea. Thank you and welcome to KanDoo!
Robert Maynard
CEO (BigDoo)
He may have changed his ways. But if Maynard Jr. says he saw whales, we'd want to check it out first to make sure they weren't sardines.
