Meeting |
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Meeting |
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Report |
June 10, 2003 |
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DAVE JONES
Jeff Wise introduced David Jones, the president of Peak 10, Data Center Solutions. Jeff mentioned that David had completed 25 marathons. As David began his talk, he stated that he has had to have the same kind of perseverance in his business life as he has had in his life as a runner. In the 1990’s, data centers were largely vertical and national centers. IBM, for example, had several data centers in the country with standard packages. In the year 2003, data centers are more than likely horizontal and regional and focus on flexible customer solutions. Peak 10 works with mid market companies and provides inter center network connectivity. David’s company was started in March 2000. They built green fields in Jacksonville and Charlotte in 2000 and with venture capital from Seaport Capital, Frontier Capital and existing shareholders, acquired Tampa and Raleigh in 2002. As of February 2003, Peak 10 has over 200 customers. Their business approach is fourfold: have a regional presence with opportunistic expansion, locate centers in secondary growth markets, focus on the tech sector and organize around executive managers in each of their cities. They succeed because of great people, disciplined leadership and market responsiveness. They provide core services and add on other services in response to the market’s needs. Most customers go to data centers for security. Peak 10 provides business continuity and a reliable Web presence for its customers. They have never been down during power outages because of their back up system, which has a fully redundant, fault tolerant network. Their recurring contracts are up 227% since 2000. Currently, they are providing services for companies such as Lending Tree, Wachovia, Jefferson Pilot, All State, Polaroid and ATP Tennis. They have recently won entrepreneurial awards from North Carolina and Mecklenburg County. In other club news, John Lassiter asked members to mark their calendars for the first annual Charlotte Rotary Golf Tournament supporting our scholarship fund for the children of our public safety employees. Honorary Co-Chairs of the event are fellow Rotarians Police Chief Daryl Stephens, Fire Chief Luther Fincher and Medic Chief Joe Penner. The Tournament will be held September 16, 2003 at Raintree Country Club. Head Table: David Anderson, Benton Bragg, Suzanne Bledsoe, Jeff Wise, Powell Majors, Mary Rinehart. Visitors & Guests: Mark Norman; Club Education: John Lassiter; Invocation: George Thompson. * * * |
Did you know... z Richard Bailey and Tom Burgess provided an update of the WWII Project, saying the interviews are going well and have been very moving and powerful. They are working toward a more balanced representation and are in need of more stories from the Marines, Merchant Marines, Women and Minorities. 50 of the 100 planned interviews have been completed. z 4th Quarter Invoices must be paid by mid-June in order to close out the 2002-2003 Rotary year. z Stephen Sroka, a 21-year-old Honorary Rotarian from Catonsville, Maryland (District 7620), visited our Club while traveling through Charlotte this week. Stephen is riding his bike across the United States in a solo effort to raise funds and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. Due to some personal experiences with cancer and how it affects young people, Steve is driven to raise $100,000 while overcoming a massive personal challenge. Through the global power of Rotary, Steve’s trip will be interrupted only by stops for Rotary Club meetings, overnight hospitality of Rotarians, and fundraising celebrations. Log on to www.bikecoasttocoastforcancer.com for updates on Steve’s progress and to learn more about the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. z Sympathy is extended to the family of Hal and Debbie Bouton, upon the death of Debbie’s father over the weekend. * * * New Member
John Hart is Secretary and Vice President of Lifestyle Innovations, Inc., responsible for all the corporations’ legal affairs as well as the management of Lifestyle Technologies Franchising Corp. LFSI is a holding company, which purchases technology companies that provide home entertainment, audio/video, home theatre, security, computer and home automation products and services. John has increased revenues from $1 million to $10 million, completed three acquisitions, and developed Lifestyle Technologies Franchising Corp from 0 to 18 franchise locations across the southeast. Prior to his position at LFSI, John was Director of Business Development of Hi-Tech Partners Group in Atlanta, GA. HTPG is a group of highly successful CEOs who help build, grow and re-position technology businesses. John focused on establishing relationships with early stage technology companies, executing financing and developing operational strategies for portfolio companies. In addition, John practiced law in Birmingham, AL with a practice focus on defense litigation and business planning. John grew up in Brewton, AL and earned his B.S. in business management with honors from the University of Alabama in 1994. In addition, he earned his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1998. John is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth-Carolinas Chapter, Alabama State Bar, serves as a board advisor for Beacon Partners TSP in Charleston, SC and Gray Sail, LLC in Columbia, SC. He has served as a YMCA volunteer basketball coach, and been active in numerous non-profit organizations. John will marry Dr. Virginia Sparrow of Raleigh, NC in September. Dr. Sparrow is employed by CMC in Charlotte as a Psychologist with a practice focus in Forensic Psychology. John enjoys snow skiing, studying successful leaders and SEC football. * * * |
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