Peter Strople
Board of Advisors
Peter is a founder of Z3 Partners and the CEO/Founder of Zero2 Holdings. He was Founder of Zero2 Ventures, an Austin, Texas based business strategy and investment firm founded in 1996 and eventually sold to MacFarlane & Gordon in 2000. He was formerly a Director at Dell Computers, where he played a key role in getting Dell back into the portable computer space. Prior to Dell, Peter was an Executive with GRiD Systems Corporation (the Inventor of our modern clamshell laptop computer), which was sold to AST Computers in 1993. Through his private investment firm “Inside the Blueline Ventures,” he has equity in companies such as USFR Media Group (Cowboys & Indians Magazine and America One TV), Salient Systems, Aruna Solutions, Crossroads, Advanced Power, PowerTube, Emscan, and Dominion Laser. Peter is an Associate Partner with Blackhawk Partners, New York. Mr. Strople is one of the leading business strategists dealing with “Instant Change.” Working with Boards and Corporate Executive Teams, he has developed methodologies and strategies to focus on what is critical to sustain a business and focus a company’s vision and mission.
Rick Henderson
Board of Advisors
Rick has over 30 years in the telecommunications and information systems industries. Mr. Henderson has worked at senior levels in several large Fortune 500 companies as well as the CEO of several small, early stage companies. He has taken two companies public on NASDAQ. Richard is a communications technology veteran with posts including Executive Vice President at VoIP and video solutions provider GlobalTouch Telecom. President and CEO of InternationalTalk.com. Mr. Henderson served in various senior management roles including: CEO and founder of Vonova Corporation, President of Bestline in Austin, TX, COO of MIDCOM Communications (IPO 1995); Senior Vice President and COO of WCT Communications (IPO 1992); CEO of ITEC; Senior Vice President of AT&E Corporation; and President of Sprint’s $450 million Midwest Division from 1986-1988. Prior to that, he worked with Xerox Corp. in both the copier and office systems businesses for 14 years where he helped launch new technologies such as the Ethernet, the Mouse and the Macintosh computer.
David Valentino
Board of Advisors
David has over 25 years of experience planning, building and managing US & International direct sales & channel organizations. Mr. valentino was Responsible for generating hundreds of millions in business software solutions and consulting services dollars for world class companies such as; Computer Associates, TSI, Easel Corporation, Business Objects, and Pervasive Software. Leadership includes developing US and International direct sales and channel organizations. Extensive start-up and early stage business development experience with Venture Capital firms, and founders delivering revenue, operations, sales management, “C” level reporting and competitive business strategies. Partnered with Founders, VC’s, and C level Management to deliver considerable business knowledge including; general business management, board reporting, core business values, and competitive business strategies.
Michael S. Henderson
Board of Advisors
Michael is founder and managing partner of Global Consensus specializing in telecommunications consulting, VoIP, and wholesale services. Prior to starting Global Consensus, he served as Vice President of Sales for GlobalTouch Telecom, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Carrier Tel, Inc., a wholesale IP Telephony provider, and Vice President for Sales and Marketing for Zenex Communications. Mr. Henderson was Director of Wholesale Sales and one of the founders of PointOne Telecom, an IP telephony company in Austin TX, and Branch Manager for GST Telecom, a CLEC in San Francisco. He was also the Southern Region National Accounts Manager for WorldCom in Memphis, TN and a member of the National Account Team for Metropolitan Fiber Systems in Chicago where he managed accounts such as AT&T, MCI and Bell South.
William (Bill) Norton
Principal
William “Bill” Norton, the founder of Order Experts, was born in West Texas in a family of successful business leaders. Many members of the Norton family are proud independent business owners and are a large inspiration behind the creativity and drive that founded Order Experts.
Throughout his life he has been continually placed in leadership positions. His interests are broad and varied but well rooted in business sales and business development. He received his college degree, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management at the University of New Orleans. Communications, Art design and Philosophy studies contributed significantly to his education and continue to interest Bill even today.
As wireless telecom veteran, Bill has held a variety of management positions with national telecommunication companies such as America Paging, TSR Wireless, and Sprint. Although a veteran in wireless industry, Bill has developed and managed several start-up businesses and active in the on-going development these businesses.
As a principal of Order Experts, Bill oversees much of the sales operations and business development functions of the organization and brings his deep understanding of the wireless industry to the team.
Chris C. Ragland
Principal
Over the past decade Chris has served as a principal in over a dozen companies providing various levels of leadership and support. His specializations include navigating rapid business change, mapping processes during periods of ambiguity, forming and developing teams, and driving creativity for product and process development. Chris has a broad base of industry experience including high tech, real estate, telecom, the arts, insurance, and retail.
At Order Experts, Chris oversees much of the development strategy for the organization lending his expertise in Project Management, Executive Level Sales, and Operations Management.
Active in his community, Chris works with various non-profits including Texas Parks and Wildlife, Caritas, The Salvation Army, and Ballet Austin Guild. Chris holds a BA in Entrepreneurship as well as an MBA in Global Entrepreneurship from St. Edward’s University.
Adam Shell
Director of Technology
Adam Shell has played various roles in several entrepreneurial environments. He is an experienced application and database development expert with a concentration in data mining and process management.
Currently serving as the director of technology, Adam is driven by his passion for innovation and new technology, always pushing Order Experts’ applications to the next level.
An avid world traveler, Adam spends much of his time as an expatriate. As a nature lover, Adam spends time camping and hiking around the world.
Kelly Orr
Director of Software Development
Kelly Orr has served as director for several start-up companies. He is an experienced information technology and software development project manager, system architect, consultant and entrepreneur.
Currently serving as the director of software development for Order Experts, Kelly is focused on managing software development projects and leading our team of developers and architects. He is a graduate of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with concentrations in electrical engineering and computer science. Additionally, Kelly holds a Master’s Certificate in IS/IT Project Management from Villanova University and holds a CRISC (Certified in Risk Information Systems Control) designation from ISACA.