Impact Networking, LLC

People ask why I love my work. And the truth is, it’s about so much more than a job title or a paycheck. It’s about the challenges we take on together, the deep connections we’ve built over the years, and the drive to keep pushing forward, especially through the toughest times. And, care. When I look back, there’s a handful of us who’ve gone through the trenches together. We’ve seen the best and worst of times: navigating the great recession (Frank Cucco, Thomas Pieters, Dan Meyer, CORY CARNES, Douglas Gamache, Patrick Scully, Rick Ray), getting through COVID, and adapting to massive changes in our business (Patrick Layton, Jeff Miller, Ryan Garrett, ASHLEY DAVIS CARNES). Those experiences form bonds that go deeper than work (Anthony Cucco). Some of these folks are friends I’m lucky enough to call family. For example, over the 4th of July weekend, many of us vacation together with our families 📸⬇️ (Michael Lepper, Raymond Santoro, Thomas Pieters, Rick Ray), a tradition that’s built up over time. It’s not forced. It’s just something we look forward to every year. Being able to celebrate, relax, and connect personally reinforces what we’ve built together professionally. The leadership shift at Impact Networking, LLC is a prime example of this kind of trust. When Frank Cucco announced his plans to transition from CEO to the board, one of my best friends, Michael Lepper, was announced as his successor. No jealousness, no ego, no politics. We all know our strengths and focus on what we do best. When you have that level of respect and openness with your team, it’s easy to put egos aside and focus on the mission. At the core of these bonds is a shared commitment to care, not just for the work but for each other. Care is something we can all control, and it’s what has made these relationships so strong over time. Whether it’s going the extra mile to help each other through challenges or celebrating each other’s successes, it’s this mutual investment in care that creates a culture of trust. When you show up for your team like that, the connection goes beyond just being colleagues, it’s about being there for each other as people. I love the challenges we face, the big transformations ahead, and the tough calls. I’m grateful to work with people who share that passion and have a commitment to each other and to Impact that goes beyond a job description. It’s a culture of accountability, one that motivates you to show up, push harder, and support each other, because we’re all in this together. #Leadership #TeamCulture #Care #ProfessionalGrowth #WhyIDoWhatIDo

I’m grateful for the life lessons my customers have taught me over the years. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today, even though it’s not common for a CTO to come from a sales background. There is something about being on the revenue generating side of the business that gives you experience you just can’t get elsewhere, and I think everybody should try it. Stepping out of my comfort zone started when I joined Impact. I was very comfortable doing what I did all through high school and college (working internal IT in the summers at a school district) and was prepared to step into that life when I graduated. I was comfortable. When I joined Impact Networking, LLC in a technical role, I didn’t realize that getting out of my comfort zone meant getting in front of customers and then into a revenue-driving role. Customers help you quickly understand the standard that needs to be hit. It’s about whether or not the solution we sold them hit the mark. It doesn’t matter about theory. And not everything goes perfectly. Failures happen, things run off course, but that’s where the growth comes. Accountability teaches you more than success ever could. I’ve written about the importance of learning from failure, and it’s a lesson I’ve carried throughout my career. As I moved from customer projects to managing teams and divisions, the lessons stayed the same. Now, focusing on Impact’s technology roadmap, the principle is still clear, accountability to the customer drives everything we do. I just have a new customer. One that I get to see every day at Impact, all our great employees who gauge what we do on a daily basis. Being accountable to your customers (whoever they are) is the backbone of growth. Without accountability, trust fades, and so does your ability to innovate and lead. Owning both the wins and the failures not only builds trust with your clients but also drives continuous improvement. Accountability is the key to long-term success. I’ve been fortunate to learn these lessons from the frontlines of customer interaction, and they continue to shape how I lead today. If you’re not stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on that responsibility, you’re missing out on the growth that comes with it. I’m grateful for the opportunity Impact and the people like Frank Cucco and Michael Lepper have done to push me out of my comfort zone from day one. #CustomerAccountability #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #OWNIT