MEET THE TEAM

MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE NETWORK.

James M. Gleason

President & Chief Executive Officer

James M. Gleason has built his career around developing quality telecommunications networks for smaller and mid-sized communities. He co-founded Clarity Telecom, which then purchased WOW! to become Vast Broadband. Prior to that, Mr. Gleason worked as CEO of NewWave Communications until the sale of the company in May 2013.

During Mr. Gleason’s tenure at NewWave, the company acquired more than 160,000 customers and successfully divested 70,000 customers in Kentucky and Tennessee to Time Warner Cable and ultimately the entire company to Rural Broadband Investments. Previously, Mr. Gleason served as President and COO of various Galaxy Cablevision groups of companies from 1986 until 2002.

In 1992, Mr. Gleason served as chairman of the board of the National Cable Television Cooperative. He now serves on the board of the American Cable Association and was formerly the chairman of the association from 2002 until 2006. He is also a member of the Cable TV Pioneers and was inducted into the Mid-America Cable Television Pathfinders. Mr. Gleason holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University. He has over 25 years of experience in the cable industry and is excited and proud to build on this through his work with Vast Broadband and Vexus.

Larry Eby

Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer

Larry Eby comes to Vexus through Clarity Telecom, which he helped co-found with Jim Gleason and Keith Davidson. After the inception of Clarity, the team purchased the WOW! Rapid City and Sioux Falls branches with the intention of transforming and improving these entities into Vast Broadband. As Executive Vice President and COO, Mr. Eby works to build high-quality network services to best meet the needs of Vast and Vexus customers.

Prior to the inception of Clarity in May of 2013, Mr. Eby was Senior Vice President of Operations at NewWave Communications. NewWave Communications was awarded the Independent Operator of the Year in 2010. Mr. Eby came to NewWave after leaving Galaxy Cablevision in April of 2006, where he served as president.

Mr. Eby graduated with a B.S. degree from Southeast Missouri State University, and has been recognized as Southeast Missouri State University’s Outstanding Young Alumni. He served nine years on the board of directors for the National Cable Television Cooperative and currently serves on the executive board of the Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Eby is also a national officer for the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity.

Keith Davidson

Chief Financial Officer

An integral part of the Vast Broadband management team, Keith Davidson builds on over 30 years of experience in the cable television industry as the company’s CFO. He previously helped co-found Clarity Telecom, which eventually went on to become the current Vast Broadband telecommunications network.

In the past, Mr. Davidson served as Executive Vice President, Co-Director, and CFO of NewWave Communications. He also served as CFO for several different entities doing business as Galaxy Cablevision from 1981 through 2003. He has been responsible for raising and managing considerable senior and subordinated debt, and acquired properties in over 20 states encompassing several dozen transactions throughout his career.

Mr. Davidson holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University, and was inducted into Mid-American CATV “Pathfinders” and the Cable TV Pioneers. He is past Cherokee District Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America and currently a board member of the Missouri Delta Medical Center.

Brett Ritter

Vice President of Commercial Services

Brett Ritter is responsible for carrying the commercial services strategy for Vast Broadband. Using input from area business customers, he works to develop a range of commercial products and services so that companies of any size can benefit from Vast technologies.

Starting as a business account representative for McLeodUSA in Sioux Falls in 1997, Mr. Ritter moved on to serve as director of sales for PrairieWave Communications and Knology, Inc., then as director of business services for WOW! Broadband. He received Branch of the Year award for McleodUSA in 1999, as well as multiple Executive Club, Pinnacle, and Presidents Club awards for his work with McLeodUSA and Knology, Inc.

Mr. Ritter studied business management and accounting at the University of South Dakota, and is a longtime member of the Rotary and Optimist clubs in Sioux Falls. In his spare time, he works with Volunteers of America Dakotas, enjoys water sports and spends time with his daughter.

Kyle Alcorn

Vice President of Sales & Marketing

Kyle Alcorn has more than 20 years experience in the cable/telecommunications industry and is currently serving as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Vast Broadband and Vexus. In his most recent role as Vice President of Commercial Services for NewWave Communications, he increased business revenue by over 40%. Other previous roles include Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Operations and General Manager for NewWave Communications and Galaxy Cablevision. Mr. Alcorn has served on the Hardware Advisory Board of the National Cable Television Cooperative and been associated with many industry groups including CTAM and several state associations. Mr. Alcorn holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from the University of Missouri. He is an active member of the Sikeston, Missouri community where he grew up and now lives with his family.

Elaine Partridge

Vice President of Special Projects

Elaine Partridge is the VP of Special Projects for Vexus. Elaine has been in the telecommunications industry since 1995. Her responsibilities include managing all aspects of the eCommerce platform including business planning, content strategy and development, digital marketing, website design, project planning and customer analytics. Previous positions include VP of Programming and Director of Marketing & Programming for NewWave Communications and Galaxy Cablevision where she gained valuable experience in programming, contract negotiation, marketing, event coordination and general operations. Elaine is currently serving as the Chairman of the National Content & Technology Cooperative board of directors. She has served as the Vice President of the St Louis Women in Cable & Telecommunications Organization, a Missouri Cable Association board member and a recipient of the Mid-American Cable TV Pathfinder Award. Elaine received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa. She is a board member of her local church, serves on a variety of community projects and created a company sponsored community event in conjunction with the local Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

Bill Flowers

Regional VP – West Texas

Bill Flowers is a seasoned professional with a track record of success in the telecommunications industry. With over two decades of experience, he has proven himself as a dynamic leader and visionary in the field. Since 2019, Bill has been with Vexus Fiber, currently servings as Regional VP – West Texas, where he plays a crucial role in driving the company’s growth and operational excellence.

Prior to joining Vexus Fiber, Bill Flowers held key positions at NewWave Communications.

Bill’s skill set is as diverse as it is impressive. He excels in various aspects of the telecommunications industry, including customer service, sales management, team building, and customer satisfaction. Bill is a leader who understands the importance of fostering teamwork, strategic planning, and business development, which are vital components in achieving success in the fast-paced and ever-evolving telecommunications sector.

Bill Flowers brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a commitment to excellence to his role at Vexus Fiber. With his leadership and strategic vision, he is dedicated to ensuring that Vexus Fiber remains at the forefront of the industry, providing top-notch services to customers while spearheading new initiatives for growth and innovation.

Cameron Miller

Regional Vice President of East Texas and Louisiana Operations

Cameron Miller, a distinguished telecommunications professional with over 25 years of experience, joined the Vexus Fiber team in 2022. Based in Tyler, TX, Cameron oversees Vexus Fiber’s operations in the vibrant communities of Tyler, Nacogdoches, and Huntsville in Texas, as well as Lake Charles, Alexandria, Hammond, North Shore and Slidell areas in Louisiana.

Cameron’s journey in the telecommunications industry began in the late 1990s when he assumed the role of Sales and Marketing Manager at Galaxy Cablevision. His dedication and expertise soon led to his promotion as General Manager. In 2006, he ventured to NewWave Communications, where he served as the General Manager for their Western Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee markets. With a reputation for excellence, Cameron subsequently joined Time Warner Cable as General Manager, and most recently, he held the position of Director of Operations at Spectrum.

What sets Cameron apart is his passion for customer satisfaction. He was drawn to Vexus Fiber because of their commitment to doing things differently, focusing not only on delivering high-quality fiber internet but also on ensuring an exceptional customer experience from the initial contact to installation and beyond. Unlike most companies, Vexus meticulously considers each step to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for their customers.

His vision and leadership are set to further elevate Vexus Fiber’s commitment to the East Texas and Louisiana communities, enhancing the connectivity and service quality for residents and businesses alike.

Kevin Folk

Regional Vice President of Operations-Southwest

Kevin Folk is the Regional Vice President for New Mexico and the Southwest. Kevin has been in the telecommunications industry since 1992. His responsibilities include managing all aspects of Operations, Construction, Sales, Marketing and Customer Service for New Mexico and the Southwest region. His main focus is delivering exceptional fiber internet service to best meet the need of Vexus customers but more importantly find meaningful ways to engage and give back to the communities we serve.

Prior to joining Vexus Fiber, Kevin was Vice President of Wireless Operations for an affiliate of Sprint and then T-Mobile Wireless having operational responsibilities of several thousand Cellular Sites and over a million customers. He previously served as Vice President of Customer Service for a mid-sized Cable TV and Broadband operator in the Mid-Atlantic region. Kevin has also served with several Broadband and Wireless associations. Prior to that he was a Program Manager on several multi-million-dollar Telecommunications and Records Management contracts with the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security. Kevin’s career in Telecommunications started out in the U.S. Air Force in various Communications fields.

Kevin is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a B.S in Criminal Justice and a M.S. in Information Technology Management from Colorado Tech University. Kevin is a former UNLV D1 football athlete. He also holds a private pilot license and is married to a retired U.S. Air Force member who served in Afghanistan with three children all embarking on their careers.

Mark Bookout

Regional Vice President of Operations, Rio Grande Valley

Mark Bookout has been a key figure in the telecommunications industry for nearly three decades, known for his exemplary leadership and extensive expertise in the field. Since 2023, he has been serving as the Regional Vice President of Operations for the Rio Grande Valley at Vexus Fiber, where his dynamic leadership and commitment to excellence continue to drive the company’s success.

Prior to joining Vexus Fiber, Mark held the position of Regional Director of Operations for Vast Broadband/Bluepeak from 2017 to 2023, where he played a pivotal role in the growth and development of these companies. His visionary leadership and strategic acumen were instrumental in achieving significant milestones.

Mark’s journey in the telecommunications industry has spanned decades including roles as President at Broadsource Communication, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation. He later served as the Director of Commercial Operations for Entouch Systems from 2016 to 2018.

From 2004 to 2015, Mark excelled as the General Manager at NewWave Communications, a testament to his ability to lead, manage, and foster growth in the organizations he serves. His experience extends even further, as he held the position of General Manager at CableOne from 1994 to 2002.

A proud native of Texas, Mark’s commitment to his community and the industry is evident through his illustrious career. He is highly skilled and knowledgeable in a range of critical areas, including broadband, call centers, VoIP, fiber optics, product management, direct sales, customer retention, networking, sales management, team leadership, customer satisfaction, operations management, network design, managed services, and WiFi solutions.

Mark’s passion for the industry, dedication to customer satisfaction, and ability to lead high-performing teams make him an invaluable asset to the telecommunications sector. As Vexus Fiber’s Regional Vice President of Operations, he continues to bring his vision and expertise to the forefront, ensuring the delivery of top-notch services and solutions to the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.