Directors and Key Management
The Company’s team of Directors, senior executies and operating managers has significant experience in the communications industry and extensive knowledge of its local markets. Members of the Company’s executive management team have over 70 years of experience in managing communications companies. In addition to industry knowledge, the Company’s management team has public company operational experience and expertise in integrating acquired facilities.
Directors
- Theodore V. Boyd
- Raymond Hexamer
- Joseph Morris
- Marshall B. Belden Jr.
- H. Arthur Bellows, Jr.
- Mark T. Clark
- Scott M. Honour
- Mark R. Stone
Theodore V. Boyd is the Non-Executive Chairman of First Communications and an investor in McKinley Communications Inc. He was the majority investor of McKinley prior to the completion of the sale of its ownership interest to First Communications. Ted also is General Partner of Rockledge T. Limited Partnership, a private investment holding company, and General Partner in Willmoll Development Company, a developer and owner of commercial, industrial, multi-tenant residential and single-family residential real estate. Ted served as a director of Belden and Blake Corporation, an oil and gas exploration and production company formerly quoted on NASDAQ, prior to its sale to Texas Pacific Group Partners; Chairman of SKYLan Ltd., a wireless Internet service provider acquired by First Communications; and Chairman of Beaverkettle Company Inc., a radio broadcasting company, until its sale to Next Media Inc. Ted is a director of both the Professional Football Hall of Fame and the Northeastern Ohio Council on Higher Education, and was Chairman of the Kent State University Board of Trustees. Ted received a bachelors’ degree from Bethany College and a juris doctorate from Cleveland State University.
Raymond Hexamer is Chief Executive Officer of First Communications. Prior to joining the company in 2005, Ray was President and General Manager of WHBC Radio and was involved in all aspects of the business, including on-air, sales, finance and management. Ray also was part of the investment group and CEO of SkyLAN, a wireless Internet provider, whose assets were acquired by First Communications. Radio Ink Magazine named Ray as one of the top five presidents/general managers nationally in 2002 and as one of the top seven in 2003. Ray is involved in numerous community boards and was the 2001 General Chairman of the Professional Football Hall of Fame Festival. Ray received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Akron.
Joseph Morris is President of First Communications and is responsible for overseeing all legal affairs and setting regulatory strategy and direction for the company. Over the past 10 years, Joe has held leadership positions in every department of the company and has been the lead participant in the identification, negotiation and integration of its nine acquisitions since 2004. Prior to joining First Communications, Joe was an attorney with Roetzel & Andress LPA, where his practice focused on public, corporate and international law. Joe studied economics at Queens University of Belfast and received a bachelor’s degree from Franciscan University as well as a juris doctorate, cum laude, from The University of Akron.
Marshall B. Belden Jr. is a Non-Executive Director of First Communications and is a petroleum engineer. He was associated with MB Operating Co. Inc., a family owned oil and gas exploration and development company, beginning in 1970. He was elected President of the company in 1978 and Chairman of the Board in 1995. He also served as Chairman of Marbel Energy Corporation from its inception in 1995. After the family energy business was sold in 1998, Marsh turned his attention toward the restoration of historic real estate and antique and collectable automobiles, as well as other family businesses and charitable activities. He currently works with McBel Trust, overseeing family investments, including McKinley Communications LLC. Marsh graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1969.
H. Arthur Bellows, Jr. is a Non-Executive Director of First Communications and an investor in McKinley Communications Inc. Art also serves as Chairman of Braeburn Associates, a private holding personal investment company, and as Chairman of The Finance Network LLC, a private financial services firm. Art has held numerous other positions, including: Founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Triangle Corporation; Director, Hexcel Corporation; Director, Beacon Roofing Supply Inc.; and President and Director of Audits & Surveys Worldwide Inc. Art is past President of the Board of Trustees of the Western Reserve Academy and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the University Cottage Club. He received a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.
Mark T. Clark is a Non-Executive Director of First Communications and currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FirstEnergy, a diversified energy company that includes the nation’s largest investor-owned electric system. Mark is responsible for FirstEnergy’s Business Development and Performance Group, rates and regulatory affairs, information technology, supply chains, security, marketing and sales and strategic planning. Previously, Mark served as Chairman of First Communications. Mark currently is a board member of The First Tee of Akron and a member of the Champions Council for the Bridgestone World Series of Golf. He has served in numerous roles with other organizations, including Past President of the Portage Country Club and board member of both the Akron Area Automobile Association and the YMCA Foundation. Mark received a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in business administration from The University of Akron. He also completed the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School.
Scott M. Honour is a Non-Executive Director of First Communications and currently is responsible for originating and structuring transactions and pursuing strategic initiatives at The Gores Group LLC. Prior to joining The Gores Group, Scott was an investment banker with a focus on creating, structuring, financing and executing financial sponsor-led transactions. He served as Managing Director at UBS AG Warburg, where he was responsible for relationships with technology-focused financial sponsors, including The Gores Group, and created the firm's Transaction Development Group. Scott has held numerous other positions, including: Investment Banker at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Inc.; Vice President in DLJ's Merchant Banking Group; and Analyst at Trammell Crow Company. Scott received bachelor’s degrees in business administration and economics, cum laude, from Pepperdine University and a master’s degree in business administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mark R. Stone is a Non-Executive Director of First Communications and currently oversees the Worldwide Operations Group, portfolio companies and operational due diligence at The Gores Group. Prior to joining The Gores Group, Mark served as Chief Executive Officer of Sentient Jet Inc., a leading provider of private jet membership and three-time recipient of the Robb Report's "Best of the Best in Travel Services" distinction. Mark also served as Chief Executive Officer of Narus Inc., a global telecommunication software company, and Sentex Systems Ltd., an international security and access control manufacturing company. Mark has held numerous other positions, including Corporate General Manager of Citysearch Inc. (now an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp, NASDAQ: IACI) and member of the high-technology and industrial goods practice of the Boston Consulting Group, where he served in the company’s Boston, London, Los Angeles and Seoul, Korea, offices. Mark received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Maine and a master’s degree in business administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Key Management
- Raymond Hexamer, CEO
- Joseph Morris, President
- Jessica Newman, COO
- John Musci, CMO
- Mark Sollenberger, CFO
- Lyle Patrick, Executive VP
- Sandi Murphy, SVP, General Counsel
- David Johnson, SVP Sales
- Jay Martin, VP Marketing
- Rick Poore, President FTS
Raymond Hexamer is Chief Executive Officer of First Communications. Prior to joining the company in 2005, Ray was President and General Manager of WHBC Radio and was involved in all aspects of the business, including on-air, sales, finance and management. Ray also was part of the investment group and CEO of SkyLAN, a wireless Internet provider, whose assets were acquired by First Communications. Radio Ink Magazine named Ray as one of the top five presidents/general managers nationally in 2002 and as one of the top seven in 2003. Ray is involved in numerous community boards and was the 2001 General Chairman of the Professional Football Hall of Fame Festival. Ray received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Akron.
Joseph Morris is President of First Communications and is responsible for overseeing all legal affairs and setting regulatory strategy and direction for the company. Over the past 10 years, Joe has held leadership positions in every department of the company and has been the lead participant in the identification, negotiation and integration of its nine acquisitions since 2004. Prior to joining First Communications, Joe was an attorney with Roetzel & Andress LPA, where his practice focused on public, corporate and international law. Joe studied economics at Queens University of Belfast and received a bachelor’s degree from Franciscan University as well as a juris doctorate, cum laude, from The University of Akron.
Jessica Newman is Chief Operating Officer of First Communications. Prior to joining First Communications, Jessica held numerous executive-level management positions, including Chief Executive Officer of Acceris Management and Acquisition LLC and Chief Executive and Operating Officer of New Access Communications LLC. During her tenure at New Access Communications, Jessica was responsible for integrating several acquisitions, enabling the company to increase revenues with minimal operational costs. Previously, Jessica served as Vice President, Compliance, at the AV Group Inc., where she was primarily responsible for managing policy and procedure for Personnel, Sales and Finance, as well as acquiring new ventures. From 1989 to 1998, Jessica owned a small retail chain, which increased in revenue by 400 percent in the first five years. Jessica currently serves as a director of the Marilou Newman Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the Methodist Hospital Foundation.
John G. Musci is Chief Marketing Officer of First Communications. John began his career at Ohio Bell and AT&T before joining LCI International as Senior Vice President in 1985 (which previously was in start-up mode). At LCI International, John was responsible for wholesale and agent sales, fiber capacity sales, strategic direction and business development with an international focus. He helped grow LCI into a $2 billion NYSE-listed company and the sixth largest U.S. long distance company. In 1998, he helped successfully complete LCI’s sale to Qwest Communications, where he became a member of the Qwest Executive Team and Senior Vice President of Wholesale Switched Services. He later was recruited as Chief Operating Officer of ITXC Corp., a venture capital-funded start-up. During his two-year tenure at ITXC, the company grew into the largest global VoIP network (790 points of presence in 390 cities and 148 countries) with annualized revenues of $144 million and a successful IPO and Secondary, which raised more than $400 million. Most recently, John was the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Trapeze Communications, a distribution and marketing company with more than 17,000 subscribers that focuses on consumer VoIP sales. John received a bachelor’s degree in business administration, cum laude, from The University of Akron and currently is an MBA candidate.
Mark Sollenberger is Chief Financial Officer of First Communications. Prior to joining First Communications, Mark served as Vice President of Finance for Resolve Corporation, a $400 million publicly held Canadian business process outsourcing company, where he was instrumental in taking the company public in 2006. Mark previously held the position of Director of Finance at Allen Telecom, a $500 million publicly held international manufacturer and distributor of wireless telecommunications equipment and services. Mark received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Kent State University.
James Lyle Patrick is Executive Vice President of First Communications. Prior to joining First Communications, Lyle spent 14 years with Arthur Andersen, where he utilized his strong background in finance and accounting. Over the course of 20 years, Lyle has served as the Chief Financial Officer of numerous companies, including Consolidated Communications, McLeodUSA, Completel, MetroPCS and US LEC. His public company experience includes his roles at MetroPCS, a NYSE-quoted wireless communications provider with a market capitalization of $2.8 billion, and US LEC, formerly a Nasdaq-quoted competitive telecommunications company, which was acquired by Paetec in 2007 for $450 million. He has served in numerous roles with other organizations, including: member of the AICPA (American Institute of CPAs); former Chairman of COMPTEL (The Competitive Communications Organization); former board member of the USTelecom Association; and former Chairman of the Illinois Telephone Association.
Sandi Murphy is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of First Communications. Prior to joining First Communications, Sandi was an attorney for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and served as Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of ProCare Automotive. Before transitioning to in-house counsel, Sandi was a partner with Benesch Friedlander and then of-counsel at Jones Day, with practices focusing on corporate, mergers and acquisitions and securities law. She has served as an officer, director and active member of various community organizations. Sandi received a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Kent State University and a juris doctorate from Vanderbilt University School of Law.
David Johnson is Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at First Communications. Prior to joining First Communications, Dave was with The Timken Bearing and Steel Company for five years. Dave has served as an active board member for numerous organizations, including: Boy Scouts of America (Buckeye Council, The Chapel in North Canton, North Canton Little League and Youth Football. Dave received bachelor’s degrees in finance and management, magna cum laude, from Walsh University.
Jay Martin is Vice President of Marketing and Product Management of First Communications. Prior to joining First Communications, Jay served as Vice President of Offer Management at Level 3 Communications, where his department was responsible for providing pricing support for a nationwide enterprise sales organization, including a $30 million capital budget for the sale and construction of fiber-based services. He joined Level 3 Communications through its acquisition of TelCove, where he served as Vice President of Integrations and Planning and led the Product Delivery and Management organization. During his tenure at TelCove, Jay’s organization developed and managed a variety of services designed to leverage an extensive metro and long-haul fiber network, including DWDM, SONET, Ethernet, MPLS and IP-based services. Jay began his career at Sprint, where he served 12 years in a variety of finance, marketing and product management positions. Jay holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business administration from The Ohio State University.
Rick Poore is President of First Telecom Services, LLC dba First Communications, which provides fiber-optic infrastructure to telecommunications carriers and large private enterprise networks. Prior to joining First Communications, Rick developed and operated similar companies, first for GPU and later for FirstEnergy, which enabled him to utilize his knowledge of leveraging utility infrastructure for use by the telecommunications industry. Throughout his 35-year career, Rick has held various engineering and management positions in telecommunications and information services. Rick received a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology from the State University of New York and is a graduate of Penn State’s Executive Development Program.
