Leadership
Deep Industry Experts
Our leadership team has led the development, deployment, and operation of over $20 billion in broadband networks over the last 25 years.
Executive Leadership
Bill Beans
CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Bill is Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Congruex. Previously, he was the President and CEO of Congruex for seven years. Before that, the founder, Chairman and CEO of Open Range Communications, and has served as President of TeleTech Holdings and Director, President, and COO of ICG Communications. Bill was also Senior Vice President with AT&T Local Services, and he began his career in the construction business working for Peter Kiewit Sons. Bill holds his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Kevin O’Hara
CO-FOUNDER, PRESIDENT & CEO
Kevin is Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Congruex. Prior to his current role, he served as Executive Chairman of Congruex for seven years. Before that, President and CEO of Integra Telecom, and was a co-founder of Level 3 Communications, where he served as its President and Chief Operating Officer. Kevin was also President and CEO of MFS Global Network Services, and he started his career in the construction business working for Peter Kiewit Sons. Kevin holds his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel, and holds his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Neel Dev
CFO & CRO
Neel Dev is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Revenue Officer for Congruex. Neel has 25 years of industry experience with a track record of successfully scaling and transforming finance functions at leading infrastructure companies, all the while driving strategic business outcomes and financial results. Prior to Congruex, Neel served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN), formerly CenturyLink, and has held various leadership roles within the industry at Level 3 Communications, MCI (now Verizon Business), and MFS Communications. Neel is responsibility for financial planning, accounting, tax, treasury, investor relations, procurement, and supply chain management. He also oversees the sales and commercial services organizations, and processes related to revenue generation activities and go to market strategy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Delhi (India) and an MBA from the University of Arizona. He is a CFA® charterholder and a member of the Harmonic Inc. board.
Diane Garcia
CPO
Diane Garcia is the Chief People Officer at Congruex. With more than 30 years of HR and business experience, Diane is known for her proven ability to lead transformational efforts in fast paced and dynamic environments. She is passionate about creating a culture of performance and aligning people objectives to the Company’s business objectives. She has experience in multiple industries, including the telecommunications and utility sectors, having held leadership positions at Level 3 Communications, Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energies). Most recently Diane served as the Vice President of Human Resources at Crocs. Diane has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado Boulder, and a Masters of Business Administration from Regis University.
Shane Portfolio
CTO
Shane Portfolio is the Chief Technology Officer at Congruex, bringing over 30 years of experience in telecommunications. He holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems, an MBA, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, along with certifications in Leadership and Electrical Engineering. His career includes 14 years in the US Army and senior roles at Comcast and Charter Communications, where he excelled in leadership and strategic execution. Shane's extensive background and strategic vision make him a crucial asset to Congruex's growth and innovation in telecommunications.
Kathryn Ford
General Counsel
Kathryn Ford is the General Counsel at Congruex, with over 32 years of broad-based legal experience. A former federal prosecutor and seasoned commercial litigator, Kathy has dedicated more than 25 years to serving as in-house and external counsel for prominent broadband, cable, and telecommunications companies, including most recently as the Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs at WOW! Internet, Cable and Phone, where she also served on the Board of Directors of America’s Communications Association. Kathy holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), equipping her with a robust understanding of the legal landscape and business operations. Her extensive background and expertise will be invaluable in navigating the complexities of our industry and ensuring that Congruex continues to thrive.
Mike Seymour
President of Congruex Wireless Solutions
Mike Seymour is the President of Congruex Wireless Solutions with over 25 years of experience in the Wireless Telecommunications industry. Holding a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Mike has worked for notable companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Clearwire, Alcatel-Lucent, and Motorola. Throughout his career, he has taken on leadership roles such as VP, EVP, and Chief Commercial Officer, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and success in telecommunications.
Jackie Schirmer
President of Large Programs
Jackie Schirmer is the President of Large Programs, leveraging over 20 years of experience in engineering, construction program management, and operations, with a focus on merger and acquisition strategies in industrial and federal markets, spanning energy to infrastructure. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President of Engineering, Reliability, and Integrated Collaboration Center at DCP Midstream and Phillips 66. Jackie is dedicated to advancing engineering education, contributing to the boards of directors at the University of Denver and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Her active involvement in STEM organizations underscores her commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in the field.
Jeremy Bowles
President of Congruex Construction Services
Jeremy Bowles is the President of Construction Services for Congruex. He has over 25 years of experience in the excavation and telecommunications industry. Jeremy started at the ground floor within SCI and ultimately rose to President. He played a crucial role in transforming SCI into the industry leader they are today with his expertise in operational and fleet management, team building, and leadership. Jeremy is passionate about his family, business building, and helping others reach their full potential.
Chris Murphy
President of Sales
Chris Murphy, President of Sales at Congruex, brings 25 years of telecom experience, excelling in scaling and transforming sales organizations. Previously, he held senior roles at Zayo and Vero Networks, including SVP of Sales at Zayo. At Zayo, he was integral to its founding, managed major accounts, and led the Strategic Customer Group. With a degree from the University of Colorado Boulder, Chris also serves as BOD President of Levitt Pavilion Denver, promoting community through access to live music and the arts.
Board of Directors
Kevin O’Hara
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
Kevin is Co-Founder and CEO for Congruex. Previously, he served as President and CEO of Integra Telecom, and he was a co-founder of Level 3 Communications, where he served as its President and Chief Operating Officer. Kevin was also President and CEO of MFS Global Network Services, and he started his career in the construction business working for Peter Kiewit Sons. Kevin holds his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel, and holds his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Bill Beans
CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Bill is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Congruex. Previously, he was the founder, Chairman and CEO of Open Range Communications, and has served as President of TeleTech Holdings and Director, President, and COO of ICG Communications. Bill was also Senior Vice President with AT&T Local Services, and he began his career in the construction business working for Peter Kiewit Sons. Bill holds his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Dan Kilpatrick
CRESTVIEW, PARTNER
Dan Kilpatrick joined Crestview in 2009 and is a partner of the firm. He has worked across a variety of sectors, including media and financial services. Prior to Crestview, Dan worked for the Yale Investments Office. Dan is currently on the board of Congruex, ICM Partners, Industrial Media, WOW! and Venerable Holdings and is a board observer of Fidelis Insurance. He was previously on the board of Accuride, Camping World Holdings, NYDJ and Symbion. Dan received an M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar, and a B.A., magna cum laude, from Yale University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Brian Cassidy
CRESTVIEW, PARTNER
Brian Cassidy joined Crestview in 2004 and is a partner of the firm and a member of the Investment Committee. Brian is also the head of Crestview’s media strategy. Prior to Crestview, Brian worked in private equity at Boston Ventures, investing in the media and business services industries. He also worked as the acting CFO of a Boston Ventures’ portfolio company, ec-Content. Previously, Brian was an investment banking analyst at Alex. Brown & Sons, where he advised companies in the consumer and business services sectors on capital markets and M&A transactions. Brian is currently a director of Camping World Holdings, Congruex Holdings, Hornblower Holdings, ICM Partners, Industrial Media and WOW!. He was previously involved with Charter Communications, Cumulus Media, Insight Communications, Interoute Communications, NEP Group, OneLink Communications and ValueOptions. Brian received an M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar, and an A.B. in physics from Harvard College.
Robert Vrij
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER, FORMER PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF ALCATEL-LUCENT USA
Robert Vrij has more than 25 years of industry experience, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Hewlett Packard's Enterprises Group and managing director of HPE Americas. Prior to HPE, Mr. Vrij spent five years at Alcatel-Lucent USA as executive vice president and chief of global sales and marketing, as well as president and chairman of Alcatel-Lucent USA. In these roles, he was responsible for managing $15 billion in sales, as well as global alliances, marketing and communications. Prior to Alcatel-Lucent, Mr. Vrij spent nearly a decade at AT&T and Lucent Technologies, advancing from sales management to become president and CEO of Lucent Technologies for EMEA. He has also run a small to mid-size public company and worked as an executive in start-ups, such as Openwave Systems, a leading provider of software applications and infrastructure and Genband Inc., a provider of IP solutions to service providers. Mr. Vrij earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southwest Texas State University and a Master of Business Administration from St. Thomas University in Houston.
Kevin Rabbitt
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER, CEO OF HORNBLOWER GROUP
Kevin Rabbitt currently serves as the CEO of Hornblower Group. Prior to his current role, Kevin was the Chairman and CEO of NEP Group, a worldwide outsourced product partner supporting premier content producers of live sports, entertainment, music and corporate events. In such capacity, he led a team of 3500+ employees that provide superior service with a focus on technical innovation – supporting productions in over 87 countries around the world. During his tenure as NEP, he led the acquisition and integration of over 30 companies into the NEP platform. Kevin holds his Bachelor of Arts degree in Managerial Studies from Rice University, and his MBA from Harvard Business School.
John Schanz
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER, FORMER CHIEF NETWORK OFFICER OF COMCAST CABLE
John Schanz has been instrumental in building some of the world's most powerful and reliable networks. He is widely recognized as a key contributor to the massive scaling and advancement of Internet infrastructure. Mr. Schanz is currently a Senior Advisor at BBH Capital Partners, Graham Partners and TDF Ventures, and a member of the Board of LiquidSky. He previously held senior leadership positions at Comcast, Sprint, GE and AOL. As the former Chief Network Officer of Comcast Cable, Mr. Schanz led a team of 5,000 FTEs, transforming the culture and talent to champion changes from historic norms. Likewise, he scaled the world's largest 24xForever network and infrastructure, which supports five multi-billion dollar business units. Moreover, Mr. Schanz helped scale the global Internet core at Sprint, and along with his team, enabled AOL to grow into the predominant Internet Service Provider of its era. Mr. Schanz has also been a leader in cybersecurity, streamlining risk management to protect customers, employees and technology infrastructure. Mr. Schanz earned an Electrical Engineering degree at Manhattan College. He is the recipient of the 2013 National Cable & Telecommunications Association Vanguard Award in Science & Technology. In 2012, InfoWorld recognized Mr. Schanz with a Technology Leadership Award. The Chairman of the FCC has also previously appointed him to chair the FCC's Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.
