Russell Weldon

CCO and Founder of Wireless Zone

As the founder and visionary behind Wireless Zone^®, Weldon directs the company’s “big picture” strategic planning. He works closely with Wireless Zone department heads and regularly speaks with franchisees and upper management carrier executives. A respected authority on the wireless industry, retail sales, customer service, and store management, Weldon acts as the CCO (Chief Cultural Officer) of the company, and continues to drive the customer service values on which the company was created.

In 1988, Weldon and his partner, Mike Geer, opened a single store on the second floor of a small building in Wethersfield, CT. They named it The Car Phone Store and the idea was so successful, so quickly, that it created its own demand for replication. Weldon chose to sell franchises contingent mostly on the franchisee’s ability to adopt his philosophies about customer service: "don't make customers, make fans." He formed the parent company, Automotive Technologies, Inc. (ATI), to provide the support needed to grow the franchises and help them succeed. To this day, he is the driving force behind maintaining the fundamental principles that have kept the organization strong and thriving.

Kevin Sinclair

President & CEO

With nearly 10 years at the helm of Wireless Zone^®, Sinclair is the master of the practical, strategic solutions that have helped the company continue to grow, year after year. He became president of Wireless Zone in 2000 after six years as Vice President of Operations. When Sinclair came on board, the organization was comprised of 27 stores (then known as The Car Phone Store) in three states. Under his direction, Wireless Zone is now approaching 280 stores in over 16 states. Today there is demand from both potential franchisees and carriers for extensive expansion into new territories.

Before joining Wireless Zone, Sinclair was general manager of national accounts with Bell Atlantic Mobile (now part of Verizon Wireless). He has extensive knowledge of the wireless industry, both from the carrier and distribution sides. Sinclair managed large, successful sales teams at Bell Atlantic Mobile, and has been a major accounts sales leader himself. His keen ability to identify with and support the needs of Wireless Zone franchisees facilitates his plans for continued franchise development.

Sinclair is President of the Wireless Zone Foundation for Giving, Inc. and serves on the Board of Directors for ATI, the Make a Wish Foundation of CT and the Wireless Communications Division (WCD) of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The mission of the WCD is to: "Promote the value of the indirect channel to the wireless industry, and to grow the professionalism and longevity of that channel, with the support and advocacy of the entire supply chain."

Mike Geer

Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Wireless Zone^®

Geer has been Russ Weldon’s partner in Wireless Zone^®/The Car Phone Store from its inception to the present. Weldon and Geer worked together at Sounds Great from 1980-1987. Geer ran the cellular division of one of Sounds Great’s largest stores in Connecticut at a time when it was questionable whether cellular had a future.

He brought all of his "early on" experience to help grow the business and make it a national enterprise. The duo worked side-by-side selling and installing 3-watt phones in that first store in Wethersfield, CT. Geer is now a key player in the finance department. He continues to work with the franchisees, providing the same old-fashioned customer service that he has given from the outset.

Mark Asnes

Executive Vice President and COO

Asnes was promoted to Executive Vice President and COO in 2007 after an already illustrious career spanning many departments at Wireless Zone^®. In this role, he oversees all operational departments for the organization, including Purchasing, Franchise Growth, Communications & Customer Service, Advertising & Marketing, Business Development, Sales & Operations and Merchandising. Asnes also serves as Vice President and Director of the Wireless Zone Foundation for Public Giving, as a member of the ATI Board of Directors, and as Chair of the Franchise Advisory Group, and oversaw the launch of wireline services.

He has been with Wireless Zone/The Car Phone Store since 1991, starting in the original corporate store, where he was promoted to store manager and then to warehouse manager. Asnes relocated to Boston to become the Northeastern Regional Manager and then came back to Connecticut to serve as Director of Business Development before being promoted to Vice President of Advertising (& Marketing) in 1999, a role that involved overseeing the functions of the company's in-house ad agency, AdOne. Asnes’ knowledge of virtually every aspect of the operational side of the business, combined with his relationships with franchisees and corporate personnel, allowed him to improve and expand upon the services that Wireless Zone offers franchisees.

Stephen J.Lewkowicz

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Lewkowicz joined Wireless Zone^® in the beginning of 2001 as Chief Financial Officer and oversees the financial and treasury operations of ATI. His duties include financial strategic planning, reporting and compliance for the company. He serves as Treasurer and Director of the Wireless Zone Foundation for Public Giving, and is a member of the ATI Board of Directors.

Prior to coming to Wireless Zone, Lewkowicz was the CFO of TELEFLEX-Sermatech Corporation, where he was involved with domestic and international financial operations. He brings over 25 years of financial and treasury experience with major Fortune 500 companies such as United Technologies and Bayer Pharmaceuticals and has been on the Board of Directors and Investment Committee with the Kaman Aerospace Credit Union.

Lewkowicz has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Norwich University and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) -Lally School of Management and Technology.

Susan Suhr

Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer

Suhr oversees all training, legal, administrative, and contractual issues pertaining to Wireless Zone^® and its affiliates. Since joining Wireless Zone in 1994, Suhr has administered all legal issues including: new and old franchise documents, state and federal regulatory issues, supervision of in-house counsel and paralegals, contract preparation, coordination of outside counsel, employee and operations manuals and more. In spring of 2007, she was tasked with creating a new training department, which has grown into a valuable resource for our franchisees. Suhr serves as Clerk and Director of the Wireless Zone Foundation for Public Giving, and is a member of the ATI Board of Directors. She brings deep experience as a senior executive at Pfizer, Inc. to guide Wireless Zone’s rapid expansion.

Suhr has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from Bucknell University and an MBA in international business and finance from New York University Graduate School of Business Administration.

Brian Murtari

Chief Technology Officer

Murtari joined the company in 2006 as the Chief Technology Officer. As a member of the Executive Staff, Murtari directs and manages all information management budgeting, strategic and tactical planning, Internet strategies, business process re-engineering, and database system strategy. He also oversees the planning and implementation of all business information systems, such as sales, customer operations, Internet sales, Point of Sale, and internal communications.

Murtari’s experience includes serving as Director of Information Technology at Thales Broadcast & Multimedia, Inc., where he managed all day-to-day IT operations for four North American Facilities. He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Sciences from Central Connecticut State University. Since graduating, Murtari has sought to expand his knowledge base through numerous training seminars and continued educational courses. At ATI, Murtari has received a reputation for being the go-to technology guy, with the insight and experience to help to lead the company into the 21st century.

Diane O’Brien

Director of Human Resources

Diane is the company’s Director of Human Resources, joining the management team in November 2006. She is responsible for the development and administration of all employee related programs at our corporate office. Diane’s high energy and good nature have quickly made her a team favorite.  

Diane has over 15 years experience in Human Resources with large and small companies, including United Technologies, prior to joining the Wireless Zone family. She has also been a consultant to businesses sharing her know-how in organizational development, human resources, and training. Diane was also an Assistant Professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, and continues to serve as a part-time instructor of management and strategic planning.
 
Diane has a Bachelors degree from the University of Connecticut and a MS in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lally School of Management and Technology.

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