At divine, Platz puts to use a longtime involvement in Web development, an industry he helped establish throughout his career. In 1997, Platz co-founded A List Apart, the highly acclaimed Who's Who of Internet developers that grew into one of the largest and most popular independent development Web sites. He also was a fellow founding member of the Web Standards Project, a group formed to push Microsoft and Netscape to adhere to common standards.

Prior to its acquisition by divine, Platz served as vice president of strategy for Xqsite, Inc., a professional services provider delivering Internet-based technology. There, from 1999 to 2001, Platz was responsible for developing strategic service offerings that provide opportunities and direction for e-business initiatives. Platz and his team oversaw projects and advised senior-level executives at client companies on successful e-business implementations.

Platz joined Xqsite after serving as director of e-commerce for Zentropy from 1998 to1999, where he played a pivotal role in strategy development. He planned, implemented and managed e-business initiatives for some of the world's most prominent brands including Brooks Brothers, Dean & DeLuca and Nautica. Prior to joining Zentropy, Platz was director of technology for Globalist Internet Technologies from 1997 to 1998 and founded the Web development company InfoBand in 1995.

Active in the e-business community, Platz speaks often at industry conferences. Most recently, he delivered presentations at the Securities Industry Association. He has also spoken at Miller Freeman's Web DC and Web Chicago, at Thunder Lizard events and at CA World. Platz attended Michigan State University prior to launching his first start-up