Michael P. Jonas
Chief Executive Officer
With LightRiver Technologies since 2003, Mike served as President of Global Customer Operations for over ten years, leading business and technology development, including Marketing and Sales, Systems and Sales Engineering, FBN® Network Factory and Field Operations and netFLEX® Technical Support. Under his guidance, LightRiver has been recognized with numerous industry and partner awards including multiple Top Vendor Awards and is regularly recognized as a leader in its field and a fierce advocate for its customers. Mike participates on multiple Partner Advisory Councils and represents the objective best interests of his telco, cloud, datacenter, and utility clients, his teammates and the industry to the leading packet optical equipment manufacturers in the world.
Mike has founded, built and run several companies during his career and prior experience includes the development and application of software, hardware, and manufacturing technologies to mobile and wireless, and rugged computing platforms for the military, law enforcement and automotive industries in various C-suite positions. This background provides a deep understanding of the challenges faced by independent network operators and service providers and the value in identifying unique solutions to aid in their growth.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Steven Institute of Technology as well as an MBA, and is passionate about his wife and daughters, and in helping the next generation develop into the leaders we need.
Dave Courtney
Sr. VP, Global Quality Initiatives
With LightRiver Technologies since 2003, Dave is responsible for ensuring best practices are utilized in everything we do, ensuring the highest quality experience possible.
Dave has 30+ years in the telecom industry with Western Electric, AT&T and Alcatel-Lucent in operations and contracting services. He boasts technology and management experience with installation support teams and managers on AT&T, SBC and commercial customers within the Pacific regional area. Dave’s project management skills supported 5ESS, transport, power and OSP equipment and service deployments. Dave is very skilled in installation activities and industry requirements such as support products, quality, safety, service protection and scheduling.
Bryan Hasegawa
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer of LightRiver, Bryan Hasegawa offers extensive finance, accounting, M&A and operations experience having held key leadership roles in multinational public companies such as L’Oréal USA, Tribune and Nielsen. He most recently served as VP of Strategic Finance at Intermedia, a PE backed cloud-based unified communications provider.
As CFO, Bryan is responsible for managing all aspects of finance and accounting while executing a profitable growth strategy for the company.
In his role as COO, Bryan oversees the company’s day-to-day operations, ensuring that LightRiver offers the highest level of service to its customers and vendors. He is deeply committed to fostering a culture of operational excellence, collaboration, and innovation within the organization.
Bryan graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts – History and an MBA from ESADE Business School.
Matt Briley
Senior Vice President, Global Sales
Meet Matt Briley, an accomplished leader in the telecommunications industry with a diverse and comprehensive view of networks and their evolving landscape. Currently, Matt is at the helm of LightRiver’s Global Sales and Network Solutions Engineering teams, where he oversees both the business and technology aspects of providing customers and partners with problem solving-technology. His primary focus is empowering companies to automate, modernize, and optimize their communications networks, ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-changing industry.
With over two decades of experience, Matt has held crucial roles in the industry, including leading Nokia’s Optical Networking business in North America. He also made significant contributions in sales and engineering management positions at Infinera and Ciena, expanding businesses across multiple geographies and sectors.
Recognizing the rapid changes in networks driven by automation and miniaturization, Matt firmly believes in the value of having a trusted partner to navigate through these transformations, especially when entrusted with managing critical communications and electrical infrastructure.
Matt’s passion for the industry is entwined in his background, holding a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma, and beginning his carrier with the MCI engineering development program. When he’s not shaping the future of telecommunications, Matt enjoys spending quality time with his family in Heath, TX, just outside Dallas. Together, they relish activities such as biking, sporting clays, golf, and Jeeping.
Walt Paskowski
Vice President of Marketing & Sales Operations
Walt Paskowski is currently responsible for LightRiver’s Marketing & Sales Operations reporting to the CEO. Walt originally joined LightRiver in 2013 as Senior Vice President of Sales focused on Utility, Transit, State & Local Government, Public Safety and Research & Education market verticals. He brings over 20 years of experience driving client-centric, mission-critical technology and business solutions, sales leadership and bottom line revenue contributions to LightRiver and its customers from best-of-breed transport equipment manufacturers, like Alcatel-Lucent and Harris Corporation. Walt has a background in Finance, Manufacturing, Operations and Sales.
Walt has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Strayer University and another Bachelor of Science in Finance & Business Administration from the University of Connecticut.
Kurt Wiest
Vice President, Sales
Kurt Wiest is Vice President of Sales for LightRiver. A seasoned sales professional, Kurt has almost 30 years of direct sales experience managing and prospecting major vertical accounts. Kurt has a demonstrated history throughout his career utilizing his creativity and experience to develop technology solutions for customers. He held previous management roles at companies such as RAD Data Communications, Oracle, Nokia, Verizon, UUNET Technologies, and Shared Medical Systems. As part of LightRiver’s Vertical Sales Team, Kurt is responsible for go-to-market strategy and management of the Vertical Sales Team. The Team specializes in packet optical transport network design, deployment, management, and automation solutions. Kurt works with LightRiver engineering and marketing to bring best of breed technology solutions to market for their customers. His team works with Utilities, Municipalities, Co-ops, Transportation customers, Education institutions and Government agencies to design, test, implement, and automate networks.
Kurt holds an Associate’s Degree in Specialized Electronics from Lincoln Technical Institute in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and continued studies at Delaware Valley University. He holds several technical certifications as well as Project Management certificate. Notable achievements from past companies include the CEO Award, Sales Masters Club Awards, Presidents Club Awards, Installation achievement award, Pride in Performance, and numerous Merit Awards for Exceptional Performance. Kurt enjoys spending time with his family, outdoor activities and is a six-time Ironman finisher.
Kevin Driscoll
Vice President, Strategic Sales
Kevin Driscoll brings 25 years of experience building, coaching, and leading sales teams, in all aspects of modern networking and software control of the same, to LightRiver. From his time as a senior sales leader at Fujitsu, ECI, Ribbon and most recently, DZS – Kevin brings a solid history in core optical, all layers of packet, radio, coaxial and optical access as well as multi-layer software control and operations for service provider and large enterprise network operators in North America. Kevin has even delved into microwave transport and undersea cable projects over his career in the telecommunications industry.
Kevin’s professional work-life began serving on active duty in the United States Army after studying Computer Science at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Residing in Frisco, Texas, both he and his wife Cyndé are proud of their three adult children.
