Meet Jim Kowalski, Strategic Alliance Manager

When did you join S-NET?

I’ve been part of the team since September, 2019.

Tell us a little about your background.

I attended Loyola University of Chicago majoring in Business and spent the first 19 years of my career in the wholesale mortgage banking arena. I worked for several financial institutions prior to making my switch to telecom.

When the market took a terrible turn in 2007, I decided that a career change was needed. I found a home in telecommunications with a local company called TDS Metrocom, a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC). I also spent almost 10 years with Comcast Business before coming to S-NET.

What are your primary responsibilities at S-NET?

My responsibilities are twofold. First, I help small and mid-sized businesses meet their communications needs with our various cloud solutions. Secondly, I work with our Partner Channel of IT vendors, consultants, telecom professionals, and more. I help them present the S-NET product and service line to their respective clients.

How often do you interact with clients?

Working with clients and prospective clients is what I do on a daily basis. So, to answer your question: all day, every day. (Laughs.) The most rewarding aspect is listening to the client’s needs and coming up with a solution that will allow for them to meet those needs and accomplish their business goals. I like to be a difference maker.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I like to think outside the box and get creative when putting a total solution in place for a client. No two organizations are the same, they all have specific needs for their business. S-NET allows me to custom tailor solutions that fit those needs.

In this competitive environment, it is important to differentiate myself and my company from other service providers out there. Being able to go beyond cookie-cutter services by offering personalized solutions is a great way to do that.

What have been your favorite S-NET projects so far?

I would have to say the solution we finalized last December for a large company in McHenry, IL. What initially was a conversation about a VoIP Cloud Phone system turned into much more. We uncovered that the business needed help with their network, internet connectivity and redundancy. We proposed a total solution that would manage all of their network communications. It was a bullet proof solution for a business that can not afford to ever go down.

Are there any accomplishments you are particularly proud of?

In each of my 22 months with S-NET, I have managed to help a business find a communications solution that fits their needs.

How has S-NET helped you grow as a professional?

Coming from large corporations, S-NET has opened my eyes to many things. In particular, I’ve seen how small businesses like S-NET truly aim to make the customer experience their top priority. I respect that and am more confident in who I represent because of it.

How do you unwind after a long day of work?

Lately I’ve been learning to golf, so I often find myself getting a twilight tee time. I’m also an avid runner! In fact, I will be running my 14^th full marathon on October 9^th at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. It’s my favorite as I get to trek 26.2 miles through the amazing city.

Tell us something fun that most of your coworkers and clients don’t know about you.

In 2017, I founded a 501 c3 nonprofit organization called Busse Woods Running Club. The organization promotes walking and running as a contributor to a healthier lifestyle. Its membership is now 500+ strong and consists of people from all walks of life. Whether someone wants to walk a mile per day, train for their first 5k or run a marathon, the organization has a program for them. It’s such an inclusive community and my proudest accomplishment in life thus far. Like I said, making a difference is important to me!