markn455

I originally started out working in the motion picture theater business. Through various promotions eventually managed 5 theaters on a rotating basis. After finishing school and working in the Biomedical electronics field as a BMET I discovered PCs when IBM introduced the PC-XT in the early 80's. Information Systems people didn't want anything to do with the PC because “if it was not a Mainframe, it was not a real computer”. It was during this time I fell in love with computers. Over time, I focused on telecom and PCs and eventually moved away from Biomedical.

After earning my stripes in IT and Telecom, I teamed up with a few professional friends and co-founded Complementary Solutions a software company producing PC based software for the telecommunications industry. Over the years we renamed the company to TeleMate Software, Inc. and grew the company to a few hundred employees which included engineering, technical support, sales, marketing, and a good sized IT staff. During the 90’s we took the company public. A short time later we were acquired by Verso Technologies. After the acquisition I went into semi-retirement.

After a time I started focusing on systems integration work and assisted or directed back office integration projects with a past associate who was working in the M&A world. After doing that for about five years I took some time off and got involved as a Reserve Deputy in law enforcement which I still do part time today.

In concert with my law enforcement activities I began working with Network and Systems Operations for a large EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) company. It was there I learned what 24/7 was really all about and the effort, expense, and staffing requirements were to hit deadlines and maintain SLA's which demanded and required five nines availability. Law enforcement rapidly took a back seat as I focused on this exciting kick-ass business that aged me about as fast as the presidency does to the person sitting in the Oval Office.

Today, I am once again working with TeleMate.Net Software, the company we founded back in the 80’s. I am still working as a Reserve Deputy in the Adult Detention Center with an agency in the area.

My hobbies include Amateur Radio (since 1971), law enforcement, community programs through the Sheriff’s Reserves such as Christmas Joy which helps needy families during the holiday season. What's next? I have no idea but it has been a rewarding and wild ride over the years.