Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

I am an Entrepreneur with a 20 + year track record of leading startups, business turnarounds and high-growth businesses in highly competitive markets. I have been recognized by the telecom/technology industry as a visionary, strategist and innovator. I have worked in a wide range of roles including general management, marketing, sales, business development and operations. I am an M&A veteran including nine successful transaction and work in a wide range of roles from deal identification through integration leadership.

Work History

• Cypress Communications
• CEO

• Hired by Investor group to turn around struggling provider of Managed IP, Voice and VoIP services. Lead turnaround and overall restructuring of the organization. Developed and executed new strategy. Key accomplishments include:
  - Reduced SG&A spend by 20%, over $8 million annually.
  - Retooled and refocused sales organization resulting in significantly improved results (6 consecutive quarters of quarter over quarter sales production improvement).
  - Received over 20 industry awards for product innovation and excellence.
  - Gartner designated Visionary in first Unified Communications Magic Quadrant report.
  - Achieved recognition by Atlanta Magazine as “one of Atlanta’s best places to work.”

• MegaPath
• CTO
• May 2006 to January 2006

• Assumed the roles of CTO and CIO upon the merger of Netifice and MegaPath, to oversee integration efforts including product direction, network architecture, IS and IT integration and general organization, staffing and business strategy. Lead the Company's general technology and product vision in addition to managing the Company’s information systems and technology infrastructure. Represented the Company to present corporate “Vision” and industry direction at industry functions and with large customers and prospects.

• Netifice Communications
• Founder & CEO
• June 1998 to May 2006

• Founded and grew Netifice Communications into a nationally recognized leader in the IP VPN space, providing managed network services to over 2,000 companies around the globe including 22% of the Fortune 500. Navigated significant challenges and turmoil in the telecom industry as suppliers and customers faltered while investor and customer confidence in telecom start ups all but evaporated. Successfully lead the organization through this turmoil, maintained investor support through multiple funding events and ultimately lead Netifice to become a thriving nationally recognized leader and innovator in this emerging segment of the telecommunication industry.

Education

• Georgia State University
• MBA, International Business
• 1988 - 1990

• Clemson University
• BS, Administrative Management, Computer Science
• 1983 - 1986