Our TeamThe people behind your always-on connection.

M1 Fiber is staffed by Michigan telecommunications professionals who live and work right here in Oakland County. When you call us, you're talking to a neighbor — not a script reader halfway around the world.

Executive Leadership

Mark Dempsey

President & Chief Executive Officer

Mark founded M1 Fiber in 1998 after 15 years with Michigan Bell / Ameritech, where he served as Director of Network Engineering for the Southeast Michigan region. A graduate of the University of Michigan College of Engineering (B.S.E.E., 1982), Mark lives in Rochester with his wife and three children. He serves on the board of the Oakland County Business Association and coaches Rochester Youth Hockey.

Linda Park

Chief Financial Officer

Linda oversees all financial operations, investor relations, and strategic planning for M1 Fiber and its parent company, Huron Valley Telecomm. Previously VP of Finance at a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) serving the Chicago market. CPA, MBA from Michigan State University. Lake Orion resident since 1995.

Robert Thibodeaux

Chief Technology Officer

Robert leads network architecture, capacity planning, and technology strategy. Formerly Senior Network Architect at UUNET, where he designed backbone topologies for the Eastern U.S. region. Holds three patents in optical networking. B.S. Computer Science from Michigan Tech. Lives in Clarkston with a garage full of half-finished Heathkit projects.

Network Operations

Janice Okonkwo

Director of Network Operations

Janice runs our 24/7 Network Operations Center in Pontiac. She and her team of 12 NOC technicians monitor every switch, router, and fiber span in the M1 network. Previously NOC Manager at a regional ISP in Grand Rapids. MCSE, CCNA certified. Janice is a Pontiac native and a proud graduate of Pontiac Central High School and Oakland University.

David Kowalski

Senior Network Engineer

David designs and maintains the M1 Fiber backbone routing infrastructure. A Cisco CCIE (Routing & Switching), he previously engineered networks for the University of Michigan's Merit Network. David is an amateur radio operator (call sign N8M1F) and lives in Auburn Hills.

Field Operations & Construction

Tommy Gallagher

Director of Field Operations

Tommy manages our fiber construction crews and field service technicians — the folks who actually bury the cable and install service at your home. He spent 20 years with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 58) before joining M1 Fiber in 1999. Tommy lives in Waterford and knows every road in Oakland County by heart.

Cheryl Watts

Lead Fiber Splicer

Cheryl is responsible for fusion splicing in our outside plant operations — the delicate work of joining fiber optic strands with micron-level precision. Certified by Corning and AFL Telecommunications. Previously spliced for MCI WorldCom's long-haul routes across the Midwest. Auburn Hills resident, Detroit Tigers season ticket holder.

Customer Support

Patricia Nelson

Customer Support Manager

Patricia leads our team of 15 customer support representatives at our Pontiac call center. She ensures every M1 Fiber customer gets a real human being on the phone — usually within two rings. Previously managed support operations at a regional ISP in Traverse City. Rochester Hills resident. Her team has a 94% customer satisfaction rating.

Join Our Team NEW

We're Hiring! M1 Fiber is growing fast and we're looking for talented Michigan telecommunications professionals to join our team. Current openings:

▸ Network Operations Center Technician — Pontiac, MI (Night Shift)
▸ Fiber Construction Crew Member — Various Oakland County job sites
▸ Customer Support Representative — Pontiac, MI
▸ Outside Plant Engineer — Pontiac, MI

To apply, please fax your resume to (248) 555-0142 or email careers@m1fiber.com. M1 Fiber is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Page Last Updated: 10.22.2001