Who is Andy Bourland?

Priding himself as a family man, Andy Bourland was primarily known for being the Co-Founder and former CEO of ClickZ, a harbinger web media company dedicated to digital marketing news, information, commentary, advice, and opinion. More importantly, Andy held a reputation for opening doors, enabling many to succeed in the interactive industry as responsible, accountable, and successful marketers.

A few years after the creation of the Internet Oldtimers’ Foundation, Andy partnered with a current member, Tom Hespos, to help run the group. Without them, the Foundation would never have existed. We have named this mentorship program in honor of Andy’s legacy as both an industry leader and a generous friend.

In 1998, Andy was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and treated with a pacemaker, after passing out while running. Four years later, Andy collapsed, suffered three heart attacks in one day, and was given emergency quadruple bypass surgery that same night. The cause of his heart problems was linked to previous radiation treatments from 1973 from his battle against testicular cancer. The radiation literally burned half of Andy's heart.

After diagnosed with radiation induced cardiomyopathy and with burns affecting the inside of his body from his groin to his left shoulder, Andy was told he now suffered from congestive heart failure. Andy endured dozens of hospitalizations, and progressively his condition worsened to the point of constant hospice care.

Andy died February 16^th, 2009 in Reading, Massachusetts.

The very definition of an industry thought-leader who maintained a strong sense of character and dignity, Andy made it a point to help others gain a foothold in an industry that is undoubtedly harsh to its newcomers.

We hope to honor a piece of Andy’s legacy through his namesake mentorship program.