JIM PEARSON – CHAIRMAN   

President and CEO of US Cable Corp., James Pearson was part of an investor group formed to purchase the company in 1994. As Chairman of Smart City Holdings, he represents investor interests and regularly applies his extensive telecommunications background to provide valuable insight to the management team. Pearson joined US Cable as Chief Financial Officer in 1982 and became President and CEO in 1990. He serves on the board of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association and is a director of several private companies. He received his B.S. degree in commerce, cum laude, from Washington and Lee University in 1976 and holds an MBA from Indiana University.

 

MARTIN A. RUBIN – CEO AND PRESIDENT

Since 1994, Martin Rubin has been responsible for all aspects of Smart City including operations, finance, strategic planning and all FCC and PUC regulatory matters. Rubin negotiated acquisition of the business from Wiltel and Houston Sports Association and developed a successful purchase package for the buyout of Vista-United, Walt Disney World's in-house telecommunications company. Rubin was formerly President of DCT Communications, Inc., an FCC license holder of wireless spectrum for voice and data communications in the 38 Ghz band, which was sold to Advance Radio Telecom in 1997 for $75 million. In 1993, he was the President of Raptor Systems, Inc., a leading software developer of Internet firewall technology that was sold to AXENT for $225 million. Previously, he served as president and COO of AutoInfo, Inc. and vice president of Corporate Information Systems of JP Morgan Chase. Professionally, Rubin has received numerous honors including election to the United States Telecom Association Board of Directors, the title of Distinguished Entrepreneur for 2004 by the Entrepreneurship Institute at Rollins College and selection as the 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Florida in the Technology category. He received his B.S. degree in economics from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

 

KAREN LINDER – CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Karen Linder has served as a financial consultant to the company since 1998 and is responsible for the financial and administrative departments of both Smart City and US Cable. Before that she was Chief Financial Officer of InterMedia Partners and a vice president of the Bank of New York. She also volunteers on the finance committee for the Basilica of St. Mary. She holds a B.S. degree from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

 

Smart City Networks

MARK HALEY – President

As the President of Smart City Networks, L.P., Mark Haley leads the company’s strategic and operational development as well as the efforts of all corporate administration. Mr. Haley guides the company in the critical areas of data network design and deliverance to our clients. Mr. Haley has over twenty years of experience with the tradeshows and corporate events in North America. Before joining Smart City, Haley was the vice president of facilities for the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. During his time with the LVCVA, Haley had a significant impact on the organization, launching the customer experience department before transitioning to his executive role overseeing the facilities department. Prior to the LVCVA, Haley was with Aramark for 23 years during which he held a variety of operating positions in Aramark’s Sports and Entertainment Division, culminating with his role as executive vice president of Aramark’s Convention & Cultural Attractions Group. Haley is involved with the local Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, along with the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM), and International Association of Exhibition and Events (IAEE). He holds a BS degree in accounting from University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.

 

RONNIE C. PATTERSON — VP, Operations

Support, training and day-to-day management for our General Managers, Smart City Vice President of Operations, Ronnie Patterson, epitomizes these skills, refined over his 30 years of management and operations in the telecommunications and convention industries. Previously serving national corporations such as Lockheed Martin, Rolm Corporation and now Smart City, Mr. Patterson’s operational systems have been and will be the backbone to our Company’s startup service transition. As a Regional Operation Manager for Wiltel Communications, Ron Patterson won the prestigious President’s Award in 1989 and had direct management and P&L responsibility for one hundred plus employees for Lockheed Martin TOP program throughout the USA. (50+ sites, 100,000 ports). Regional Operation Manager. While with Rolm Corporation (Division of IBM) as a Major Accounts Sales Representative he was elected a member of Rolm’s National President’s Circle, with sales in excess of 150% of annual objective.

 

WILLIAM A. SUSZKO – VP, Finance & Administration

Smart City knows the importance of sound operating and financial systems and understands the uniqueness of operating in the event services environment. The foundation of this understanding rests on Smart City’s Vice President of Finance, Administration & West Region Operations, William Suszko who is responsible for policies, procedures and activities associated with West region operating facilities and corporate departments including customer service, human resources, payroll, accounting, systems development, information technology and administration. A former executive with the national general services contractor, GES, Mr. Suszko has credentials that blend industry, operational, financial and technical knowledge are unmatched. With GES, he served as executive vice president/general manager with P&L responsibility for $50+ million electrical services and hardwall exhibit rental systems lines of business servicing trade shows/conventions/special events with 20%+ profit growth over 3-years. Suszko received his Master's degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He received his B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla.

 

DAVID J. LANGFORD — VP, Technology

A core element of the company’s data network design is Smart City Networks’ Vice President of Technology, David Langford. Degreed in communications systems management, Mr. Langford cut his teeth early on with the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Network & Services project, where he served as a leader in the Network Operations Center deploying the first national pre-Internet high-speed IP infrastructure. In the mid-90s, he developed the Sales Engineering division at AOL. Building from that, he joined UUnet Technologies and built a team that traveled with FORTUNE 500 companies to support their events, installing temporary data network capabilities often where none existed. Since coming to Smart City, Mr. Langford directed the design and implementation of the Las Vegas Network Operations Center (NOC) that monitors Smart City networks across the country. He developed the voice and data networks in thirteen of the nations most prestigious convention centers. He and his team also created some of the world’s largest WiFi hot spots, including the wireless network at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the 126 acre outdoor campus at LazyDays RV Center in Florida. Langford received his B.S. degree in communication systems management from Ohio University.

Smart City Telecom

JOHN CASCIO — Chief Operating Officer

John Cascio brings to Smart City a career that parallels the growth and competitive nature of the telecommunications industry.  Before Smart City, he served as Vice President responsible for marketing, sales, and service of Sprint’s communication portfolio to the Southeastern United States.  Beyond Sprint, John credits his entry level sales position with Xerox and his early career with Rolm, an emerging digital PBX manufacturer for laying a great foundation. In his own words, “the phenomenal sales training at Xerox combined with the entrepreneurial pace at Rolm helped me develop a respect for establishing clear objectives leading to consistent performance as an individual and leader, especially in our chaotic and rapidly changing industry.”  On growing as a leader, John refers back to 1991 when he was recruited by United Telephone in North Carolina to “bring a competitive mindset to a regulated organization.”  He holds a BS degree from the University of Maryland.

 

JAMES T. SCHUMACHER — VP, Finance & Administration

Since 2001, James Schumacher has led the finance and administration functions for Smart City Telecom. His team is responsible for finance and accounting, information technology, human resources and logistics services. He is also responsible for regulatory and legal compliance. From 1991 to 2001, Schumacher served as the manager of business affairs for Vista-United Telecommunications. He also served as the manager of regulatory affairs (1985 - 1991) and manager of revenues (1981 - 1985). Schumacher received his M.B.A. from the Crummer School of Business at Rollins College in Orlando, Fla. and his B.S.B.A. in accounting from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He also did graduate work in theology at the Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

 

CARLOS PALENZUELA – VP, Technology Services

Carlos Palenzuela brings to Smart City a twenty-year career in the telecommunications industry where he was known for his leadership, professionalism and attention to customer satisfaction. In his twenty years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Carlos has worked in engineering, sales, network operations and network services. Prior to joining Smart City, Carlos served as the District Manager for Embarq in Central Florida. During his tenure at Embarq, his network services team earned numerous awards for Best in Class Key Service Measures. As the Vice President of Technology Services, Carlos is responsible for overseeing Network Services, Engineering, Construction, and Operations. Carlos holds a BS degree from Florida State University and is a licensed Florida Professional Engineer.