Team

Management Team

Frank J. Zachmann – Executive Director

Frank J. Zachmann is the Executive Director of 1025Connect – a premier, carrier-neutral interconnection facility in Long Island, NY (US). Mr. Zachmann runs the business with a clear focus on developing this data center into a globally known, central connection point between North America and Europe with access to premier connectivity and Internet Exchange opportunities. Mr. Zachmann is a seasoned data-center industry professional, and has worked as a senior executive for global companies, as well as running his own, award-winning service provider and consultancy business. His management background in Information Communication Technology (ICT) over the last 15 years has amply prepared him to step into leadership positions, such as Vice President of Business Development EMEA at Equinix; Group Director Marketing and Strategy at Interxion and Country Manager for the global market leader Exodus Communications. Mr. Zachmann studied economics in Mannheim and holds an MBA from Goethe Business School in Frankfurt in cooperation with universities in Shanghai (China), Hyderabad (India) and Durham (USA). He also serves as a chairman of the DigitalHub FrankfurtRheinMain e.V. – a local partner of eco, the German Association of Internet Industry eV – and internationally supports business for the region as business ambassador for the city of Frankfurt. Mr. Zachmann, whose motto is, “He who does not move himself, does not move anything, “manages to stay in motion, both professionally and privately. He commutes globally while residing with his family in Frankfurt, Germany.

Stephen Paolino – Director of Operations

Stephen Paolino is a seasoned professional who has proven himself over two decades as an owner and service provider in the technology industry. His expertise extends to project engineering, procurement, manufacturing, construction and the operation of technical facility infrastructure.

His project experience is primarily in critical MEP infrastructure of traditional and modular data center projects for the enterprise clients and includes providing solutions in web scale, colocation, and energy for Fortune 500 clients in the financial services and healthcare industries.

He is known for the success of his high-performance teams and always looks for ways to exceed client expectations and produce positive client outcomes. He has delivered hundreds of mission critical projects of every size and level, and is well versed in facility optimization best practices like redundancy, resiliency, risk mitigation, aggressive scheduling, cost control through value engineering and 100% continuous operation of existing network equipment throughout a construction process.

John A. Danko – Director of Business Development

John A. Danko, Director of Business Development for 1025Connect, is responsible for negotiation and acquisition of domestic, international and subsea business for the 1025Connect Carrier Hotel  colocation facility. A professional with over 24 years of experience in all aspects of telecom and network neutral infrastructure, John has extensive experience developing interconnection space around the U.S.

Prior to joining 1025Connect, John held similar positions for ColoGuard and Jamestown 325 Hudson LP, executing the acquisition of U.S. domestic and international business for Carrier Hotel Meet Me Room (MMR) infrastructure. At 325 Hudson, he was directly responsible for growing the MMR from zero tenants to 37 network operators, including execution with the NYC franchise operators in pulling 11,592 new fiber strands to the MMR. An earlier position at Allied Fiber, LLC, allowed John to develop customer agreements for dark fiber, access and colocation. John started his interconnection career with the Telx Group, now Digital Realty, where he was an Account Manager and Director of Media & Entertainment.

John earned a Bachelor of Arts from Winthrop University, and is a member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers organization.

Rob Poopan – Manager of Operations

Rob Poopan is the Director of Operations with over 20 years of experience in telecommunications. Mr. Poopan is directly responsible for ensuring that the day to day processes at the company run efficiently and without error. He leverages his excellent leadership and teamwork skills in order to ensure that objectives are completed on time for delivery to the clients.

Johannes Schäfer – Project Manager

Johannes “Joe” Schäfer has extensive experience working for government institutions, chambers of commerce, economic development corporations, and many IT companies including international data center operations. He has a diverse background and has held positions with the U.S. Department of State, Group Deutsche Boerse AG, Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and multiple IT companies. His current focus is on the expansion and improvement of digital infrastructures and related IT companies. Mr. Schafer received a B.A. from Juniata College, Huntingdon (PA), USA, and an M.A. from Münster University, Germany, (Political Science) with a focus on German American relations, and military strategy.

Nicole Koenen-Liffert – Business Development Manager

Nicole Koenen-Liffert has more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing. She graduated with a degree in business administration as “Diplom-Betriebswirtin (BA)”. Prior to moving to 1025Connect, Ms. Koenen-Liffert worked at Innovit360 AG where was responsible for business development. Prior to that, she held several management positions at ITC Deutschland, Wiley-VCH, TeraGate AG, the first DSL-Carrier Riodata and Systemintegrator Controlware. Her focus is on the business-to-business sector, specifically in information technology and the development of high-performance networking infrastructures.

Rodney Ceant – Project Manager

Rodney Ceant – In a company specializing in connectivity, Mr. Ceant plays a key connectivity role. He facilitates all client communication, scheduling meetings, travel, and providing seamless support to the customers, partners and team members at 1025Connect. Mr. Ceant is an integral part of the 1025Connect culture and is committed to supporting customer growth, maintaining an environment of collaboration, uncompromised integrity and confidentiality. His energy and attention to detail are key ingredients to successful client outcomes here.

Board Members

Jeff Wasserman – President

Henry Bergmann – Board Member

Henry Bergmann is an entrepreneur with a special knack for re-developing distressed properties that go on to provide economic benefits to the community where those properties are located.

Early in his career he worked in Public Accounting. He later formed his own consulting company, and used his talents to guide struggling businesses through the financial turnaround process. Mr. Bergman has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Quinnipiac University and is a Licensed Real Estate Broker in New York and Florida. He serves on various local community boards and works with individuals helping make life better through representation at civil and statutory meetings.

KJ Orth – Global Ambassador

Klaus-Jürgen Orth is the former co-founder and owner of Ancotel. This interconnection facility in Kleyerstraße 90, Frankfurt (Germany) is still one of the most interconnection dense data centers on the globe. Mr. Orth sold the business in 2012 to Equinix and afterwards created his own venture company named kj-projects, investing in international service providers as well as in diverse other industries.

His personality is still widely known and appreciated in the international interconnection community and Mr. Orth enjoys the “art of networking” as he calls by bringing people, ideas and businesses together. Given his 20+ years background in marketing and communications, he is also a very valuable help in all marketing related topics.

With his charity organization MainLichtBlick he helps sick and traumatized children and also supports new career starters as a member of the audit committee for marketing and communication at the chamber of commerce in Frankfurt, his home town.

Hunter Newby – Partner

Hunter Newby is an American entrepreneur, investor, conservationist and the owner of Newby Ventures. His primary field of interest is network infrastructure. As Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer and a Director of Telx, he pioneered the carrier-neutral Meet-Me Room and has championed the development of carrier hotels and data centers in the United States leading to the economic development in markets throughout the country. Since the sale of Telx, he continues to find, develop, and invest in the creation of multiple network-neutral infrastructure businesses all across North America.

Mr. Newby is a recognized authority in the network-neutral interconnection and data center industry. He serves on the board for multiple companies, is a published author, public speaker and has been quoted in several publications including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today. He has also received numerous awards including being named to the Global Telecoms Business Top 40 Under 40 in 201.

Mr. Newby earned a B.S. in Communications from Drexel University.