Bob Nichols, CEO
Bob Nichols is an accomplished business development executive with over 25 years of experience in high tech, telecommunications and startup ventures. He led the business development efforts at Neustar prior to founding DNG developing new business operations supporting strategic telecommunications policies implementations and database interconnection operations. Bob co-founded and is leading the FCC recognized AIR.U initiative along with Google, Microsoft, New America Foundation, Appalachian Regional Commission, and Higher Ed Groups representing over 500 Colleges and Universities. AIR.U includes the Gig.U (led by Blair Levin, author of the FCC Broadband Plan) as a founding sponsor, and shares the mission of accelerating the deployment of next-generation networks.
Keith Montgomery, COO
Keith Montgomery is a skillful COO, CFO, & CIO with over 33 years of experience in telecommunications, high tech and broadband consulting for domestic and international companies. He held senior management positions for MCI and Concert Communications during their high growth years supporting financial reporting, business planning, network construction, revenue reporting, financial operations, treasury, and tax operations. He was one of the founding executive for CLEAR Communications that deployed telecommunication, Internet, and TV network services for New Zealand. Keith has completed feasibility and broadband network/operations designs for fixed and wireless network in over 14 states and supported the evaluation program for 2,200 Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) broadband applications for the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). He is also the Vice President of the Rural Telcom Congress which promotes broadband adoption for rural communities.
Jeff Friedman, CFO
Jeff Friedman is an experienced executive with decades of success providing finance and operational expertise and leadership in CFO and COO roles in the telecommunications and high-tech industries. Jeff was a Founding Partner and Managing Director of Monumental Venture Partners, an early stage venture capital firm, with notable exits including Telverse Communications (acquired by Level 3), Cinea (acquired by Dolby), and Digital Sandbox (acquired by Haystax Technology). Jeff was at MCI in various financial management roles including Corporate Venture Capital, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Financial Planning & Analysis. Jeff has a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia and an MBA in Finance from The George Washington University.
Kathy Paver, Vice President of Customer Operations
Kathy Paver is an experienced finance and customer operations executive with a proven track record in financial operations and customer integration strategy. She possesses a diverse and extensive background that includes financial planning and analysis, financial operations, sales support, customer service, billing systems, and strategic planning. With over 30 years of experience, Kathy has worked previously in senior level finance and operations positions for XO Communications, British Telecom and MCI. She was a member of the team that launched and operated Concert Communications, an international joint venture between MCI and British Telecom. While at XO, Kathy orchestrated financial analysis and decision support for the Commercial and Carrier sales units, totaling $1.3 billion of annual revenue. At Declaration Networks Group, she was part of the original launch of the NeuBeam service brand and established company-wide systems and processes to position the company’s growth.
Warren Brasselle, VP Network Engineering and Operations
Warren Brasselle is a seasoned and well regarded telecom executive with deep experience in designing, deploying and operating telecommunications and broadband networks, leveraging fiber to the home and wireless technologies for national, middle mile and last mile networks for urban and rural service areas. He has spent 32 years working for Fortune 500 companies like Cavalier Telephone, Cable & Wireless, Williams Telecommunications, and MCI, in addition to several early stage innovative telecom companies. Warren is an expert broadband technology and design consultant providing engineering and operation services for wireless and broadband projects. His projects have included design and deployment of a 10 state/44 site wireless network, optimizing wireless and paging networks, and operating and managing national and regional networks.
Chris McKee, Chief Strategy Officer
Chris McKee is a telecommunications executive with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He is the former President of Exa Infrastructure, a network infrastructure company, where he was responsible for setting and managing the strategic priorities of the company to drive profitability and growth. Prior to joining EXA, Chris was the EVP of Corporate Development & General Counsel of GTT, a global network provider, where he assisted in growing the company’s revenues from $100M to over $1B. Chris has a lengthy track record of success in the industry as both an operator and lawyer, having led the completion of 41 M&A deals. He is also frequent panelist at telecom industry events both in the U.S. and Europe.
Dan Dunn, General Manager, StarTouch
Dan is a dynamic, self-motivated and resourceful organizational leader with demonstrable results in global sales, business development and operations in cloud connectivity, software defined networking, tech, data, telecom and wireless. He has worked in the telecom, networking & datacom industry for nearly 30 years. Dan has had extensive experience overseeing company growth and project managing numerous fiber optic builds for both enterprise and carrier clients. Most recently, he managed North American sales and customer support for Megaport, an Australian-based software defined networking company. Dan has had previous roles in sales and business development, product management and executive management and he has worked for numerous carriers, including: MCI, Electric Lightwave, XO Communications, Vodafone, and Verizon.