network deployment best practices

Richard Newman

Chief Strategy Officer

Richard Newman brings over 20 years of experience in retail and hospitality applications and infrastructure to his role as Chief Strategy Officer at Acumera. A founder of Reliant, a leading provider of edge computing platforms acquired by Acumera in 2022, Richard is instrumental in shaping the company’s strategic direction. His expertise goes beyond sales and strategy; with a strong technical background in software development, DevOps, security, and large-scale systems infrastructure, Richard plays a key role in driving Acumera’s innovation and growth.

Dirk Heinen

Senior Vice President, Implementation

Dirk delivers executive management for Acumera’s team, providing managed network security and automation services for the payment systems and operations of multi-site businesses. Before founding Acumera, Dirk served as vice president of operations at Wayport and senior vice president of operations for Multimedia Games.

Phil Stead

Vice President, Platform Sales

Phil Stead (CISSP, QIR, CISM, ISA) is responsible for leading the expansion of Acumera’s Reliant Platform. This includes the design of secure systems to process payments and meet PCI requirements in store systems, enhancement of the platform to meet emerging requirements, and direct client engagement. He brings over 15 years of experience in the leadership, development, integration and support for retail solutions. Before joining the Acumera team, Phil served as a Partner at Reliant (acquired by Acumera in 2022). Previously, he was Director — Store Systems & Implementation for KWI — a SaaS retail technology solution provider — where he led all front-end Point-Of-Sale development and implementation efforts spanning over 125 different global retail brands.

William (Bill) Morrow

Chief Executive Officer

William (Bill) Morrow, Chairman of the Board of Acumera, focuses on growth through efficient allocation of resources, all targeted at exceeding client expectations. Bill founded and ran several companies in the telecommunications and data-security markets. His last company CSIdentity became the dominant provider of data analytics and security services for the identity theft space prior to being acquired by Experian, PLC. Bill also owns ranches, a small resort and a convenience store in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.

Brett Stewart

Chief Technology Officer

As Chief Technology Officer at Acumera, Brett oversees the installation and operation of secure, PCI DSS-Compliant networks to thousands of retail locations of Acumera customers. He has been awarded more than 80 patents relating to communications semiconductors, WiFi, and network security. Before founding Acumera, Brett was Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Wayport (provider of WiFi to McDonald’s and Starbucks locations worldwide) and Director of Business Development for Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (a global semiconductor company).

Roberto Chang

Executive Vice President, Operations

As EVP of Operations, Roberto oversees the constant optimization of processes and activities, supporting Acumera’s fast-paced growth by developing and implementing efficient operations and cost-effective systems. Roberto has more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles in customer experience, marketing, pricing and product management fields in the telecommunications and financial industries. Roberto received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Universidad del Pacifico in Lima, Peru and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dan Gleeson

Vice President, Sales

Dan is a proven technology-driven sales leader with experience in launching, marketing, and selling industry-leading software and hardware technology. Most recently Dan held the position of Director of North American Sales with Diebold Nixdorf, Inc. leading a new division for the fuel and convenience industry. Prior to that position, Dan spent ten years with Dover Fueling Solutions (formerly Wayne, a GE Energy Business) as Director of Sales, Technology Solutions.

DeWayne Mangan

Senior Vice President, Technology Operations

DeWayne helps Acumera deliver the Advocate Champion Defender support promise by leading the Infrastructure and Client Support teams. His decades of experience in customer support, telecommunications, and enterprise networking help these teams deliver reliable services and support experiences where the customer always comes first. Prior to joining Acumera, DeWayne held or created practically every role within the Information Technology department during a lengthy career at Concordia University Texas.

Jason Davis

Vice President of Customer Support

As Vice President of Customer Support, Jason focuses on two primary goals: Deliver a world class service experience to Acumera’s customers, enabling them to grow and support their businesses, and continually develop and challenge a talented team of network engineers to grow as leaders themselves. With over 2 decades as an IT Professional and manager, Jason brings technical expertise and experienced leadership to any situation. Excellent communication skills and inquisitive approach to problem solving help enhance his contribution to the organization and people he serves. Jason uses past experiences, process efficiencies, and technology tools to enable Acumera’s Support Teams to continually improve, always striving to deliver excellent service.

Geetha Nagaraj

Director (India Operations)

With over 23 years of rich IT experience, Geetha heads Acumera’s India operations. Geetha has played a pivotal role in several acquisitions in the past, ensuring seamless transition for both employees and clients, alike. Her hard working and competitive nature acts as a catalyst to combat any challenge without compromising on quality. Her functional prowess of human resources, finance, and general administration experience enabled her to help build companies from scratch. Geetha excels as a champion leader with excellent people management skills and is a great motivator to her peers throughout the organization.