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Fusion Connect Leadership
Management Team
Brian Crotty
Chief Executive Officer
Brian Crotty has more than 30 years of experience leading major organizations in the managed services and communications industries. Fusion Connect’s CEO since 2020 and a member of its board of director's, Brian has led the transformation from a telecommunications company into a leading managed communication service provider that helps businesses connect people, data, and devices. He was previously the chief commercial officer at Sungard Availability Services (Sungard AS), where he was responsible for all company revenue and focused on customer experience, customer retention, and growth. Brian also served as the president of mid-market enterprise and commercial markets at Windstream and as the chief operating officer at Broadview Networks, where he led the transformation of the business to a unified communications as a service (UCaaS) cloud solutions provider. Brian earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from St. Norbert College.
Mario DeRiggi
Chief Revenue Officer
Mario DeRiggi oversees revenue growth across all sales channels while ensuring an exceptional customer experience. He has more than 20 years of experience in executive sales and marketing leadership, as well as a history of increasing revenue, driving customer acquisition and retention, building partnerships, and managing through change. Most recently, Mario led global channel sales and business development teams as a senior vice president at Vonage. He spent five years as the executive vice president for sales at Broadview Networks and held leadership roles at Vonage and Paetec. Mario received a bachelor's degree in political science from the State University of New York at Oswego.
John Dobbins
Chief Operating Officer
John Dobbins defines product strategy and optimizes network infrastructure, systems, and processes for efficiency and scale while improving customer experience. He has more than 20 years of experience rebuilding and transforming corporate infrastructures and operations. During his time at Windstream, John’s team developed and managed the company's SD-WAN, software-defined networking, network function virtualization, unified communications, fiber transport, and cloud services. John also held senior roles at Earthlink, XO, and Global Crossing, where he was responsible for supporting revenue growth and cost efficiency. John has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Rochester and a bachelor's degree in business (finance and management information systems) from Le Moyne College.
Brian George
Chief Technology Officer
Brian George leads the evolution of the engineering and development teams and manages the company's core network, service platforms, and infrastructure. He is responsible for driving technology advancements and anticipating opportunities to enhance, expand, and optimize the company's portfolio. Brian has been in the communications industry for 20 years and has held leadership positions in engineering and operations for various internet service providers in the New York metro area, as well as at AT&T Wireless and Unilever.
Lisa Matthews
Senior Vice President of Human Resources
Lisa Matthews leads all areas of human resources and has more than 25 years of experience in HR management across multiple industries, including technology and professional services. Lisa previously served as the vice president of human resources at Alight Solutions, where she developed talent strategies while navigating a significant technology transformation. Earlier, as the company's director of human resources, she led organizational design, onboarding architecture, and business integration efforts with a focus on operational success. She has a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Georgia.
Brian McClintock
Chief Financial Officer
Brian McClintock drives financial strategy and planning while optimizing the company's capital structure. He is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience in telecommunications and technology. Brian has delivered measurable gains in revenue, profits, and market recognition as a COO, CFO, and vice president. He is also a project management expert with experience in startup, turnaround, expansion, and consolidation of business situations. He has a Master of Business Administration in Finance from La Salle University and a bachelor's degree in business management from Lynchburg University.
James Prenetta
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
James Prenetta Jr. oversees all legal matters and ensures compliance with applicable laws and state and federal regulations. He served as general counsel and secretary at Hibernia Networks, where he handled all key contracts, financing activities, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation. Prior to joining Hibernia Networks, he was an executive vice president and general counsel at One Communications Corp., and a senior vice president and general counsel of Viatel Inc. James was also a partner in the securities practice group at New York-based law firm Kelley Drye & Warren LLP. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Connecticut and a law degree from the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America.
Chris Updegraft
Chief Information Officer
Chris Updegraft oversees the information technology department, with a focus on expanding the company's Microsoft-centric solutions portfolio. With more than 30 years of experience in technology leadership, strategy, and execution, he optimizes IT services that enable businesses to rapidly scale their operations using Microsoft products. Chris has expertise in leveraging technology to drive business growth and improve operational efficiencies. Prior to joining Fusion Connect in 2018, Chris co-founded and served as vice president of IQMax for 18 years. He has a bachelor's degree in computer science from Azusa Pacific University.
Board of Directors
Dudley Slater
Chairman of the Board
Dudley Slater holds several governances, operating, and entrepreneurial roles and works with investors and companies in the telecommunications, health care, banking, and media industries. His board experience includes Segra, WOW! Cable & Internet, Umpqua Bank, LS Networks, and Integra Telecom Inc., a company he co-founded in 1996. Dudley’s operating experience includes CEO and president roles in the health care technology, clinical trials, and telecommunications industries. He received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in geophysics from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Timothy J. Bernlohr
Timothy Bernlohr is the founder and managing member of TJB Management Consulting LLC, which he founded in 2004 and specializes in providing project-specific consulting services to businesses in transformation, including in and out of court restructurings, wind downs, interim executive management, and strategic planning services. He is the former interim CEO of The Manischewitz Company, Bally Total Fitness Corporation, Parquets Marty, and BHM International, and the former president and CEO of RBX Industries Inc. Since the inception of his consultancy, Timothy has served more than 100 boards of directors in capacities that include chairman, lead director, committee chairman, strategic consultant, CEO, president, CRO, and trustee. He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from The Pennsylvania State University.
Brian Crotty
Chief Executive Officer
Brian Crotty has more than 30 years of experience leading major organizations in the managed services and communications industries. Fusion Connect’s CEO since 2020, Brian has led the transformation from a telecommunications company into a leading managed communication service provider that helps businesses connect people, data, and devices. He was previously the chief commercial officer at Sungard Availability Services (Sungard AS), where he was responsible for all company revenue and focused on customer experience, customer retention, and growth. Brian also served as the president of mid-market enterprise and commercial markets at Windstream and as the chief operating officer at Broadview Networks, where he led the transformation of the business to a unified communications as a service (UCaaS) cloud solutions provider. Brian earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from St. Norbert College.
Joe Harding
Joe Harding is the vice president, product and solution marketing at Equinix. He is responsible for all product marketing globally in addition to leading regional product management. Previously, Joe served as a board member for QOS Networks and as executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Windstream, where he was responsible for leading the transformation of the enterprise and wholesale product strategy as well as leading all product management and marketing efforts. He received a bachelor's degree in finance from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Richard Jalkut
Richard Jalkut is a longtime telecommunications executive and the former CEO of TPx Communications. He was previously the president and CEO of Pathnet Telecom and the president, CEO, and chairman of NYNEX Telephone Companies, where he oversaw an organization with more than 80,000 employees and 16 million customers that produced more than $12 billion in annual revenue. Richard is a past chairman of the Partnership for New York City and of the New York State Business Council, and he was a trustee of the American Museum of Natural History. He received bachelor's degrees in economics and political science from Boston College.
James Morphis
James Morphis is an executive director of Morgan Stanley and a member of the Morgan Stanley Private Credit team, where he focuses on originating and underwriting investment opportunities. James joined Morgan Stanley in 2016 and has over 12 years of relevant industry experience. Prior to that, James structured, marketed, and placed private debt and equity capital as part of Houlihan Lokey’s Capital Markets Group. Prior to Houlihan Lokey, James was an assistant vice president at GE Capital Markets in its leveraged finance business, structuring, marketing, and syndicating leveraged loans. James was also an analyst at M&T Bank, where he underwrote middle market credit facilities, conducting fundamental credit analysis and performing detailed financial modeling. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester and a Master of Business Administration from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University.
Colby Wheeler
Colby Wheeler has been a director at Ellington Management Group since 2020 and previously served as a principal at Bardin Hill Investment Partners. He also worked as an associate and senior associate in PGIM Fixed Income's high-yield credit group. Colby began his career as an analyst in equity research at Citigroup, where he published research on a variety of technology and telecommunications companies. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and finance from Utah State University and is a CFA charterholder and a member of CFA Society New York.