Kristofer Cowles, I

CEO/CIO

Managing Partner

Kristofer has been working with computers since 1980, writing programs on the Ohio State University mainframe from his home thirty miles away. Kristofer was helping to create non-government traffic on what would later become the Internet, writing programs for fun and helping to crunch statistical analysis data for Ph. D. students. Kristofer developed his first web site at Texas A&M University in 1993, and has been at the forefront of Internet and Computer technology since then.

Combined with his decades of computer knowledge, Kristofer provides the backbone for interCOM that allows the organization to know if it has the capabilities to either perform for a client or find the individuals who can. Kristofer is a strong supporter of the free enterprise system and capitalism, and enjoys helping small businesses make their mark as part of the foundation of our economy.

Kristofer oversees the day-to-day operations of interCOM and coordinates the activities of interCOM in Bryan and College Station, Texas, as well as the world-wide Internet-based clientele. He also develops the service teams that do not fall under the direct supervision of other interCOM partners.

When Kristofer is "on-site" it is typically for small challenges with computers and networks that clients experience on a regular basis. Kristofer spends much of his time educating clients and their employees as well as making them more productive with the computer systems they have.

In his words...

I'm proud to say that I don't know as much about computers as most other computer gurus, but I know a lot more about people than they do!

I firmly believe that we are in the people business, and computers are simply the way we get introduced to our clients and future friends.

Companies that realize they are in the people business thrive. Those that think they are in a technology business, don't.

Our clients' satisfaction has GOT to be guaranteed. If it isn't, then what are we selling?

Christopher Pennington -

CFO

Partner

Chris is basically our behind the scenes money man. If you ever see him, it's usually because he's in town for a poker night!

Chris develops our systems for tracking our success and our client's profitability, productivity, and satisfaction.

In his words...

We get further by investing a dollar in our clients' purposes than we do spending a dollar on our vendors' latest gimmick.

People are who we invest in. Our clients, our personnel, our vendors...in that order. And if the last two don't follow the first two, they are replaceable.

We're not in business because people need us. We're in business because we need people. They are doing us a favor by doing business with us...not the other way around.

Beth Cowles

COO

Partner

Beth is in charge of morale at the office and in the field.

She ensures our technicians get the training Landon & Kristofer want them to get, and she coordinates the people skills development throughout our organization.

In her words...

If I don't understand it, then the client won't either. So I better be satisfied before anyone else even attempts to communicate with a client.

High tech is nothing without high touch.

You can't shoe a mule and hope he becomes a horse. All you're gonna do is make him uncomfortable and, eventually, lame.

Landon Ferguson

CTO

Landon is in charge of making sure our technology capabilities and equipment keep the promises we make to our customers.

In his words...

I know my value to the customer comes from keeping my distance from them unless Kristofer, Christopher, or beth are with me and ask me to join them. That's rare in this business. Basically, I talk with computers really well. I'm still learning the people side!

People want results. That's what I provide. When they want answers or reasons or interpretations, that's where I step aside and let the others take over. I don't do well unless you speak Geek.

The people who work for me in my department don't get much time on the outside for two reasons: They don't want it, and they can't handle it. When they do get there, it's after I'm convinced they can cmmunicate with personnel in other departments effectively, and under superrvision with Kristofer...because if he's not convinced, the client won't be. And it's easier to keep good guys if you don't have to fire them constantly!