Robert Simkavitz

AT&T

(1982)

Network Eng./CSR Business Systems, Hewlett Packard NAM

Bob's career began with AT&T’s Operations Department, where he quickly progressed in management and technical sales support. Relocating to Mountain View, California, he was a vital AT&T NAM team member for Hewlett Packard, supporting $22 Million in communication services sales. Returning to Colorado, his tenure at AT&T culminated in his role as a seasoned Network Engineer.

Sykes Datatronics

(1982 - 1984)

Systems Analyst

He then joined Sykes Datatronics, where he researched and designed operations support systems for the RBOCs. In this capacity, he created the OTAP (open trouble analysis and patterning system/ OTAP), which Sykes Datatronics sold to Pacific Bell for multiple million dollars. The OTAP, a system he designed, lowered costs and quickly isolated network failures—i.e., real-time regression analysis led to quickly finding undetectable faults, such as bridge collapse or utility hole filling with water from a severe storm.

General DataComm, Inc.

(1984 - 1990)

Director US West NAM Team

After joining General DataComm, Inc., Bob Simkavitz's role as a Senior Systems Engineer evolved into that of a Regional Director. In this role, he sold more than $8M annually and led the NAM team for the US West account. His collaboration with product and marketing teams to define new products, such as generic digital services that used existing channel banks, dramatically lowered customer costs to transport SS7 and generated record bottom-line profits for GDC, highlighting his sales, business, and leadership skills.

Motorola

(1990 - 1995)

VP Motorola Multimedia Group

Joining UDS Motorola as Director of USA domestic carrier marketing, sales, and product management, he advanced to Vice President of Motorola Multimedia Group- responsible for the global HFC voice and data access products. During his Motorola tenure, he defined product strategy and executed tactical marketing for various access products and services for wireline and wireless carriers, delivering 22% pre-tax profits. Product lines included fiber HFC and copper ADSL/HDSL/bonded copper access and the high-volume Motorola HFC Surf-Board Cable Modem. This product was an immense success for the Multimedia Group at 25M+ units, leading the way for DOCSIS standards development in the Cable Television Industry and Motorola’s profitable entry into consumer broadband internet access.

Newbridge Networks

(1995-1997)

Director US West Region

Mr. Simkavitz later joined Newbridge Networks as Director of Strategic Accounts, where he helped sell a multi-million dollar ATM Backbone Network to US West, once delivering a $5 million P.O. one week before the end of the quarter; he was tasked with in-country market qualification for LMDS (28 GHz) wireless services in Eastern Europe (Poland) and contributed in-country in Brazil and Argentina.

ADC Telecommunications

(1997 - 1999)

VP International Marketing and Product Management

Mr. Simkavitz joined ADC Telecommunications as Vice President of International Marketing and Product Management, focusing on international markets using Hybrid Fiber Coax, millimeter band wireless, and PON/GPON optical transmission products. In this assignment, he increased sales to $250M, improved margins by 8%, and lowered international sales expenses across multiple ADC product divisions, including one with 9,000 separate line items. Significant savings were generated through the creation of a unique “in-pat sales program,” which temporarily took talented international employees to our Corporate HQ to immerse them in ADC company culture before rotating them back (at a much lower cost than a U.S.A. Ex-PAT) to their home countries and markets.

ANDA Networks

(1999 - 2001)

Corp. Officer/VP Business Development

Mr. Simkavitz accepted the position of Corporate Officer and VP of Business Development for ANDA Networks, a San Francisco Bay Area startup developing multi-service access platforms and services for the CLEC market. As a critical executive charged with preparing for entry to the public markets, he led the team (Goldman Sachs) that wrote the company’s first S1 filing (2001) and was actively involved in funding the company, including the C & D rounds, resulting in a pre-money company valuation of $650 million, post-money of $720 M, raising $ 70 million at $13.72 per share to fund company expansion.

Simkavitz and Associates

(January 2001 - January 2003)

Principal Network Researcher

Post Anda, Mr. Simkavitz actively contributed to a variety of communications technology start-ups as an advisor in Silicon Valley, including as an advisory board member to TCP/IP Networking firm Amber Networks, among the first to use hardware ASICS to dramatically speed up edge routing of packet voice and data services which sold to Nokia for more than $400 million and grew to $550m in public Nokia shares. He also consulted directly with KIPA (Korean Industry Development Agency), visiting South Korea often, preparing Korean companies to enter the U.S. markets, and lecturing on international business development.

FreelineUSA, Inc

(January 2003 – April 2013)

Founder/CEO/CTO

In 2003, Mr. Simkavitz founded FreelineUSA Inc. (FLUSA) and served as its President and CEO until April 2013. FreelineUSA focused on developing value-added IP-centric VoIP Voice, Data, and H.264 Video Technology applications. FreelineUSA's clients included multibillion-dollar multinationals such as Methode Electronics, the US Army, Sandia Labs, the State of Washington, Regional School Districts, and more than 150 small to medium businesses that bought the company's Pro-Video 500 Series IP Video Security products.

Product development included the Course Wave Division Multiplexed (CWDM) FLUSA 400 Optical Ethernet series, which the US Army tactically deployed. Furthermore, we developed and filed interim patents and trademarks for “NewlineUSA,” an innovative power-passing, armored single-mode fiber cable field-trialed by the US Army. Also of interest: The FLUSA 500 ODM self-contained IP Video Phones were sold by FLUSA to our government clients, allowing point-to-point video calls to be encrypted using externally encrypted IP networks. FreelineUSA developed the flagship FLUSA 800 Survivable VoIP communications system, which we sold and deployed to the US Government, US Army, Sandia Labs, and State emergency management agencies- this product was core to our business.

The company used collaborative project development techniques and outsourced technical talent as needed per project. Direct product sales and significant FreelineUSA installations were realized in Mexico, Canada, China, Malta, and the USA. Through collaboration with virtual technical, product, and marketing teams, I led FreelineUSA to achieve positive results with fewer resources than expected in a highly competitive landscape.

NewlineUSA

(August 2013 – July 2023)

Principal Business Development Consultant

In late 2013, Bob, as Principal, formed the NewlineUSA business development consulting service, which continued for ten years until July of 2023. In my previous role, I worked on various business plans and provided advice to clients. I regularly attended advanced IT, communications, and software conferences to stay up-to-date in my field. Additionally, I focused on updating my software and business development skills. In 2013, my wife, Debbie, and I relocated to Brush, Colorado, where we purchased a home and property. Unfortunately, in May 2023, a tornado directly hit our home, which led me to suspend my consulting work to focus on rebuilding and cleanup.