 Jessica Firestone, Chief Executive OfficerJessica Firestone is a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tempest Telecom Solutions. Jessica's career began as a sales and customer support representative at Century Computer Marketing, a leading distributor of computer equipment and spare parts. In 1996, she joined Somera Communications, a pioneering provider of new and used telecommunications infrastructure equipment and services as a divisional sales manager responsible for sales to wireless carriers through out the United States. From 1996 to 2002, Jessica was promoted several times, from Manager to Director and finally to Vice President of Wireless Sales, where she led the company's largest sales division, managing a team of 27 people, with responsibility for $97 million revenue. Jessica left Somera Communications in 2002 to pursue other opportunities. She then joined Somera Ventures, a Santa Barbara based private equity investment firm where she worked with several of their portfolio companies as a Business Development Advisor. It was her vision and industry insight that ultimately led to the launching of Tempest Telecom Solutions.  Julie Lubin, Chief Financial OfficerJulie Lubin is a co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of Tempest Telecom Solutions. Ms. Lubin also holds the same title at Somera Capital Management, where she is responsible for internal financial management, oversight of investment reporting, and company planning. She has more than 15 years of experience as a controller, chief financial officer, business manager, as well as the tax and financial adviser to many high net worth individuals and privately owned businesses. She has extensive experience handling sophisticated multi-million dollar financial transactions in both the real estate and non-real estate markets, ranging from sales and purchases, recapitalizations and reorganizations, venture capital investments and workouts. Ms. Lubin served as the Controller and Chief Financial Officer for Somera Communications, Inc., a worldwide distributor of telecommunications infrastructure equipment, where she managed the company.s growth from start-up to more than $100 million in revenues in less than four years. She instituted the financial reporting systems needed to facilitate a significant investment in the company by a venture capital firm, leading to the company's eventual IPO and NASDAQ listing.  Dan Firestone, Chief Operating OfficerDan Firestone started his business career in 1978 when was engaged in several small, high-growth private companies in the computer distribution, real estate, and manufacturing industries. In 1984, Mr. Firestone and a partner co-founded Century Computer Marketing, a distributor of computer products and spare parts, and served as its Chief Executive Officer until May 1994. Under Dan's direction, Century Computer grew from start-up to $40 million in annual revenue with six offices in four countries before it was sold in 1994 to a small public company for $32 million.  Jason N. Hamm, Sr. Vice President, ServicesJason began his career in Telecommunications in the early 1990’s spending almost 14 years with T-Mobile through various acquisitions, most recently serving as Regional Director of Network Engineering for their West Region. Jason also earned a Bachelor Science Business Management, further leveraging his strength of achieving exceptional results through remarkable people. Jason joined the team in April 2010 focused on building a world-class Telecom Services division for Tempest Telecom Solutions. Having held roles responsible for Field Operations, Switch Operations, Site Development, Human Resources, and Engineering across various portions of the country Jason’s breadth and depth of experience ensures absolute focus on shaping a team providing exceptional service to Tempest Customers.  Gary Owen, Sr. Vice President, General ManagerGary Owen joined Tempest in August 2011 as Senior Vice President and General Manager. In this role, Gary will manage Tempest’s internal infrastructure, oversee and coordinate Operations, Finance and IT, and ensure Tempest’s operations run smoothly and efficiently through the synchronization of the company’s divisions and departments. Gary brings a great deal of experience building, growing and managing technology-based businesses in the United States, as well as internationally. Gary worked previously as the CFO at Somera Communications during the $120 million IPO, helping to build the company to over $225 million in revenue. Prior to his time at Somera, Gary experienced great success at nationally and internationally-based start ups, consistently delivering steady revenue and profits. Gary holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from the U.K.’s Nottingham Trent University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.  Dave Smargon, Director, Engineered SolutionsDave Smargon joined Tempest Telecom Solutions in October of 2006 to drive the expansion of our New Products Distribution Services and Supply strategy. In October 2011, Dave took on a new role leading the Engineered Solutions initiative that includes developing custom, engineered solutions for the roadblocks which network carriers face. Dave’s new position institutes his technical knowledge to expand the Tempest portfolio through coordination of field and lab testing, customer engineering departments and deployment. With Dave’s direct support in this new role, Tempest will be able to add additional product lines as we identify other “best in class” equipment solutions – products which demand a deeper technical and operational expertise than is typically required to satisfy customers’ needs. Dave began his career in 1986 as a Microelectronics Microwave design engineer at Raytheon Company, and was later promoted to Section Manager of the Receiver design group. Dave then took a job with Superconductor Technologies where he worked for 10 years in a variety of expanding roles, spending the last 5 years as the Director of Customer Service and Sales Operations. Dave received both a BS and an MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.  Richard Smith, Vice President Supply and Vendor RelationsRichard Smith joined Tempest Telecom Solutions in October of 2009. Richard brings over 25 years of technology sales, marketing and supply experience to Tempest in his position as Vice President of Supply and Vendor Relations. He began his career at DJC Corporation, a computer hardware distribution where he served in various sales and marketing roles. From 1984-1994, Richard was Vice President, Purchasing and Supply, for Century Computer Marketing in Los Angeles, CA. He was also Vice President of North American Sales for Aurora Electronics. Richard served as Vice President of Supply for Somera Communications from 1997 to 2005. At Somera, Mr. Smith developed and managed a global sourcing and supply strategy. His work was instrumental in the rapid growth of Somera to a $200 million public company. Prior to joining Tempest, Richard was Vice President of Business Development for Global Power Supply, a provider of large power generation equipment.  Bill Peardon, Business Development, Founding PartnerBill Peardon joined Tempest Telecom Solutions in July of 2005 as a founding member and partner. With an extensive background in sales, marketing and procurement within the telecommunications Industry, he has been responsible for several Tier 1 Carrier Accounts, as well as directing sales efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean. Bill has been serving wireless telecommunications carriers since 1997. His career in wireless telecommunications began at SRS Industries, where he managed key accounts. Later, Bill served as a Director at American Communications, where he created their wireless division, growing it to several million dollars per year from virtually zero. His depth of knowledge and commitment to servicing companies and individuals on the front lines of this rapidly changing industry make him an integral player on the Tempest team.  Mike Peters, Business Development, Founding PartnerMike Peters joined Tempest Telecom Solutions in August of 2005 as a founding member and partner. With over fourteen years of telecom sales experience, Mike now focuses on national and regional sales initiatives throughout North America. Mike began his career in telecom sales at Somera Communications in 1996, where he focused primarily on Rural Wireless service providers. From 1999 to 2003, as a Group Sales Manager focused on the Regional Wireless Marketplace, Mike led his team to $23 million dollars in annual sales revenue. In 2003, Mike was promoted to Sales Director and led a team of 8 sales people to become the highest revenue producing team in the company. During this time Mike successfully negotiated several multi-million dollar contracts to provide carriers with complete network build-out support, utilizing a combination of refurbished and new telecom equipment from a variety of vendors, saving his customers millions of dollars.  Christopher Roten, Director, Sales and PLM - WirelineChris Roten joined Tempest Telecom Solutions in November of 2008 to oversee the expansion of the Wireline division. With over 30 years of technology sales and support experience, Chris’ extensive knowledge of the industry makes him an important asset to the Tempest team. In 1988 Chris joined Century Computer Marketing, a distributor of computer products and spare parts, as an Independent Sales Representative. By 1994, he had progressed to Vice President of Sales, leading the fourth largest revenue stream with $20 million in sales. Chris stayed on as Vice President of Sales after the sale of the Century to Aurora Electronics in 1994 managing the implementation of the migration team through 1997. From 1997 to 2005, Chris served as Managing Director, OEM/Resellers/RBOC of Somera Communications and continued on for an additional two years after the acquisition of Telmar Network Technology, managing their migration team integration until 2007. Chris has worked with the Tempest executive management team creating a history of success with sustained sales growth for over twenty-two consecutive years.  Elda Rudd, Vice President, MarketingElda brings over 20 years of telecommunications marketing and engineering experience to the Tempest team, with over half of those in the marketing of infrastructure, software and services to domestic and global carrier customers. Elda joined the team in January 2011 to develop and grow the strategic and tactical marketing programs for Tempest Telecom Solutions. Most recently she was Vice President of Marketing at 724 Solutions/Mobixell, a company that developed leading mobile internet and mobile broadband solutions. Prior to that, Elda was president and founder of Total Cabling Solutions, a company that specialized in high-end voice/data/video infrastructure. Elda also spent seven years at Nortel Networks, most recently serving as the director of marketing for the Wireless Internet Division. Elda also worked at BellSouth (now AT&T) for three years in their wireline and wireless engineering teams. Elda holds an M.B.A. from Florida Atlantic University and a B.A. in Industrial Engineering from University of Miami.  Wade Lowe, Director Sales Repair and LogisticsWade joined Tempest Telecom Solutions in March 2011 as Director Sales to focus on repair and technical services business development where he will manage existing program relationships and further develop repair programs in response to the growing market needs. With over thirteen years of technology and software program sales experience, Wade consistently packaged and delivered high value programs to his technology customers. Most recently, Wade held Business Development and Sales Management positions at Tektronix Service Solution, a technical service and calibration company, and SIMCO Electronics, a technical service and software solutions provider. Throughout his career, Wade has built and driven successful sales programs and improved response time for his national and multinational Enterprise clients. Wade holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina.
 Dan Leaf, National Director DAS Engineering and OperationsAs the National Director of DAS Engineering and Operations at Tempest Telecom Solutions, Dan Leaf has over 15 years of experience spanning both wireless and telecommunications industries. Dan is responsible for coordinating all activities as they relate to major carrier support including client business plans, site strategies, technology options and design, implementation, and long-term platform support. Dan manages all facets of strategy as it pertains to creating and managing manufacture alliances, addressing the dynamic requirements of large customers, and aligning Tempest DAS Division resources to provide accurate, timely and affordable system installations. Dan was the President and CEO of Leaf Communication Services, acquired by Tempest Telecom Solutions in July 2011.
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