At the Core of BetterWorld's Success is the Dedication, Passion and Expertise of the Team
Our core management team represents well over 130 years of telecom experience, all committed to making the world a better place than how we found it — we are passionate about helping causes that support children, education, the environment and fair trade.
Meet the BetterWorld Senior Management Team:
Jim Kenefick, Co-Founder
Tel: 866-567-2273 x902
A serial entrepreneur, private equity investor, executive management coach with more than 21 years of industry experience. Prior to BetterWorld; Jim has grown as founder or co-founded three technology companies growing them from 0 to $15 million, 0 to $30 million and 0 to $70 million all within 10 years. Jim previously founded NETtel, an integrated communications provider (ICP) that provided local and long-distance services to small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the United States. He served as CEO until the company was sold to McLeod USA in January 2001. While at NETtel, he raised over $300 million and managed more than 600 employees. From 1995 to 2001 Jim was a co-founder and Director for Epoch Networks, a Tier 1 Internet Service Provider. Jim assisted Epoch in raising $150 million in venture capital, helped recruit executive team members, and advised the company on general management strategy. From 1990 to 1995, he boot strapped Keystone with $65,000 to an organization with over 7,000 customers and 50 employees specializing in telecom hospitality industry.
Twice named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, former international board director for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), served on the Kauffman Foundation CEL Advisory Board. A graduate of MIT’s three-year Birthing of Giants program. Babson College graduate with a degrees in Finance and Entrepreneurial Studies. Jim currently serves on the board of directors for the Social Venture Network and YPO’s Social Responsibility Network.
He guest lectures at Babson College, The George Washington University, and the University of Maryland.
Matt Bauer, President & Co-Founder
Tel: 866-567-2273 x904
As a social entrepreneur, Matt has worked to improve communities in the U.S. and abroad in both for-profit and non-profit sectors over the past 20 years. Before co-founding BetterWorld Telecom, Matt served as Director of Business Development from 1999 to 2002 for the AES Corporation, a Fortune 200 global independent power company. Prior to AES, Matt was Marketing Director for NETtel Communications, and for almost 10 years, he served a number of roles including Director of Sales and Marketing for Valucom, Inc., an information services, network design, technology and consulting firm.
Matt has helped to start and significantly grow a number of non-profits over the past 10 years including the DC-based Sitar Children's Arts Center, Atlanta-based True Colors Theatre Company, and most recently, as founder and current Chairman of Lowcountry Local First (BALLE Chapter), based in Charleston, SC , and as a founding director of the new GreenNonprofits organization based in Washington, DC . Matt is a member of the Social Venture Network and closer to home dedicates his time to community-based organizations focused on children, sustainability and the arts, currently serv ing on the boards of the Noisette Foundation, True Colors Theatre Company, Charleston Alliance for the Performing Arts. He holds a BA in Telecommunications from Indiana University, an MBA from The George Washington University and has completed executive program coursework at MIT. In the past year, Matt has been a feature or keynote speaker at the Sustainable Network of Washington Symposium, 2008 Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association Green Telecom Summit, Green Business Works Expo, and the 2008 Global Green Telecom Summit in Berlin. Matt lives in Charleston, SC with his wife, Christine, where he rows single skulls as a member of the Charleston Rowing Club.
Glenn Powell, Director of Operations
Tel: 866-567-2273 x908
In his 30 years of competitive telecommunications industry experience, Glenn has developed a wide breadth of knowledge about all aspects of the planning, pricing, marketing, sales and delivery of voice and data services. Before joining BetterWorld Telecom, Glenn served as Director of Product Development at CCMI, where he defined new products, services and conferences for this industry leading telecommunications information services provider. Before joining CCMI, Glenn was Vice President of Markets and Product Development for the AES Corporation, a Fortune 200 independent power company, where he led the planning for a CLEC in the top 35 US markets and helped launch a telecommunications business in Bolivia. Previously, Glenn served a number of roles over 13 years including Senior Vice President and General Manager for Valucom, Inc., a telecommunications analysis, publishing, consulting and pricing information services company.
Prior to Valucom, Glenn served in a number of capacities at MCI Telecommunications and Satellite Business Systems including rates and tariffs; product management; project management for the implementation of a nationwide satellite/switching center network; managing a 225 person inbound/outbound sales and customer service center; and providing sales support for a large national accounts sales organization. He has also served in a number of volunteer positions associated with youth sports, the Cub Scouts, and is currently President of the Cardinal Hill Swim and Racquet Club, a neighborhood swim and tennis facility which supports a number of children and adult recreational programs. Glenn holds a BA in economics from Virginia Tech.
Bruce Markowitz, General Counsel
Tel: 866-567-2273
A former partner in the Washington, DC office of a major international law firm, Bruce has over 25 years experience as a corporate and transactional attorney. He has advised clients in domestic and international transactions regarding secured financings, mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructurings. Bruce has been a trusted advisor to telecommunications firms, commercial real estate companies as well as established and emerging technology companies in matters of financing, asset-based lending, capital restructuring, deal making and joint ventures. He holds a BA with Honors from the University of Rochester and a Master's Degree in Finance from the State University of New York at Albany. He earned his JD in 1982 from the Washington College of Law of American University where he was Editor of the Law Review. Bruce was named a Presidential Fellow by the Office of President Jimmy Carter. During the Fellowship, he conducted research into domestic monetary policy and international banking at the FDIC. Bruce is married to Petrina Markowitz, a real estate partner in the law firm of Goulston and Storrs. They have three children: Brian, Eric and Alissa and live in Potomac, Maryland.
Ali Gunertem, Director of Customer Operations
Tel: 866-567-2273 x903
Ali joined us in the fall of 2003 and brings over 18 years of experience to BetterWorld Telecom. He is responsible for day-to-day customer issues. Prior to joining BetterWorld, Ali worked as General Manager at Cities Restaurant Group, based in Washington, DC and Turkey. He has extensive experience at sales, managing staff, event coordinating, fundraising, networking and accounting. He received a Bachelors of Arts from the Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey. Ali is married to Sulay; they have one child and currently reside in Alexandria, Virginia.
John (JP) McCormick, Director of Sales
Tel: 866-567-2273 x905
J.P. joined BetterWorld Telecom in the fall of 2002 and brings more than 15 years of sales experience to BetterWorld Telecom. Prior to joining BetterWorld, J.P. worked for MCI, MFS, Westinghouse Communications, Qwest and Level Three Communications. J.P Graduated from West Virginia University in 1989. J.P. and his wife, Lisa, live in Alexandria Virginia.
David O'Leary, Director of IT
Tel: 866-567-2273 x906
David has more than 20 years experience in telecom and network services and equipment sales and product management. Throughout the 1980s, he held engineering, operations and customer support, and operations management positions at Carnegie-Mellon University, the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center and SURAnet — part of the original NSFnet. From 1992 to 1998, he worked at Cisco Systems, providing consulting services for large enterprise and service provider customers worldwide. He contributed to product developments such as the Cisco 12000, 7500, and 2500 series routers. From 1998 to 2005, he served as Director of Consulting Engineering at Juniper Networks, leading a team of engineers providing key customer consulting and technical support for the first customer deployments growing to over $1 billion in revenues. He supported customer network design and deployment efforts around the world, and contributed to many key Juniper Network product decisions.
He joined Better World Telecom in the fall of 2006, supporting sales and operations efforts. David enjoys hiking, backpacking and canoeing in his spare time. He volunteers with the Sierra Club, where he is currently focused on the climate change and smart energy solutions campaigns.
Gloria Costa, Manager of Regulatory and Administration
Tel: 866-567-2273 x909
Gloria joined BetterWorld in the spring of 2006 and brings over 18 years of experience to BetterWorld Telecom. She is responsible for regulatory issues and proposal administration. Prior to joining BetterWorld, Gloria worked in various positions within the telecommunications industry for Bell Atlantic, Nortel, Williams and Nextira One. Gloria is married to Joe, has one son; and after spending all her life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she now resides in Lake Marion, South Carolina.