Both Don Knopf and Peter Broikou each have more than 30 years experience
in the telephone industry. While working with the smaller telephone companies,
it became apparent that resources available to these companies to monitor and
manage their networks were either non-existent or unaffordable.
Donald Knopf started Dackno, Inc. in 1994 to support this need.
He developed network support software for the independent telephone companies.
In 1998, Don decided to expand the business further by joining
Peter Broikou and Network Services Group. They continued to
build the business by enhancing and adding products, and adding
the personnel to support the business. You can read more about the
people of NSG below.
Our Staff
Peter A. Broikou, President/CEO
Peter is a life-long resident of Rochester, NY. He has a
B.S. in Accounting from the University of Rochester, and a
M.B.A. from Syracuse University.
Peter worked for Rochester Telephone (now Frontier Communications)
for 23 years, becoming V.P. of Finance and Secretary-Treasurer.
During that time, he acquired the first two independent telephone
companies for Rochester Telephone: Sylvan Lake and Highland Telephone.
Peter left Rochester Telephone becoming a consultant. In 1993, he purchased
an interest in Township Telephone, west of Watertown, NY. The company
was sold in 1998 to TDS. Upon the sale, Peter formed Network Services
Group.
Priscilla Peacock, Administrative Assistant
Priscilla joined NSG in March 2000. She returned to the
workforce after staying home for 10 years to raise her
children. Priscilla is a native of Rochester and has been
a Webster, NY resident for 10 years. Her duties at NSG include:
written communication; customer billing; clerical duties; and
answering phones.
Mark Kehrig, Director - Technical Operations
Mark joined NSG in 2001 after spending 6 years in the
wireless industry. His varied responsibilities include web design and maintenance,
new customer training and support, and technical writing.
Donald G. Knopf, V.P. of Networks
Don received his electrical engineering degree from
the Rochester Institute of Technology while working
for Seneca-Gorham Telephone. He worked there for 31 years,
eventually becoming their chief engineer.
In 1994, Don started Dackno, Inc. He designed and sold
network support software, relying on his many years of
network operations and engineering experience. In 1998,
Don joined forces with Peter Broikou and Network Services
Group.
Matthew Conklin, V.P. of Software Development
Matt received a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from SUNY Institute of
Technology at Utica/Rome in May of 1999. Prior to joining NSG he worked as an installer for Lucent
Technologies, primarily installing 5ESS switching equipment.
He joined NSG in October of 2001.
Joseph Valesko, Senior Software Development Engineer
Joe joined NSG in 2005 after graduating from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor's Degree in
Computer Science. He is a resident of Webster, NY. Joe works primarily on new software
development, focusing on ASP.NET web applications.
Charles L. Ferguson, Executive V.P. Marketing/Sales
Charles is a graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology with an
Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering. Charles started his
career with Western Electric in 1974 and retired from Lucent Technologies
in April of 2001 after 27 years of service. He has held many positions
during his tenure with the Bell System and the telephony industry at large.
Charles has specialized in switching and network infrastructure modernization
projects working closely with Bell Labs. This has provided him with a broad
understanding of the technologies required to meet our customer’s needs today
and in the future. Charles has held a number of management and engineering
positions throughout his career with Lucent Technologies including, Senior
Product Manager and Marketing for AT&T Network Systems Customer Business
Management, Account Executive for Lucent’s Technologies, and various field
support roles, etc. Prior to accepting his position at NSG, Charles had
been with CopperCom Inc. working with a new Softswitch Architecture.
Charles has received numerous industry awards for his sales and marketing
activities and his technical writing. Charles has actively participated in
many telephone industry forums and events including, membership in OPASTCO’s
Technical Committee, USTA forums and panel discussions, technical writing
for the NCF Forums, etc.
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