Meet Jon Adams, Strategic Alliance Manager

Tell us a little about your background. How did you choose this career path?

I originally studied Business Administration at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).  I stumbled onto telecommunications after college via an internship opportunity. This was right around the time of the divestiture of the Bell system and AT&T, which provided a great opportunity for companies to sell and install CPE equipment and lead to many employment options.

I later joined equipment manufacturer, Vodavi, and held various positions with them over a 12-year stint. That is where I got into sales and rode that thru some good years leading up to the year 2000, when telecom sales were crazy good.  Since, I held various Sales Engineering and Business Development Management positions with companies such as Intel and Tadiran Telecom.

When Tadiran failed to embrace hosted technology and, along with many other equipment manufacturers, started to see a steep decline in sales, I was happy to join SkyTalk Plus in 2017 and start selling a hosted voice solution.

When did you join S-NET Communications?

I came onboard when S-NET acquired SkyTalk Plus in October of 2019.  My role remained very similar to my position at SkyTalk – I continue to build relationships and sell our service through a partner community. But I see much greater opportunity for growth and development here at S-NET with a broader range of products and the ability to provide services to larger clients.

In terms of similarities, I like the client-focused approach of these companies and their commitment to delivering first class customer service and support. It made my post-merger transition smooth, and it definitely makes my job so much more enjoyable.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I love interacting with partners and helping them prepare a tailored solution based on the needs of the customer. Being able to listen to what our partners and their clients are asking for and putting together a solution that meets those needs is very rewarding. The best part is when we ultimately win the business.  [Laughs.]

How has S-NET supported you as a professional?

The breadth of product being offered at S-NET and the fairness in working with partners brings a great deal of respectability in the channel and makes my work much easier. It leads to stronger relationships, greater trust in what we do as a company and keeps the momentum growing with respect to partner engagement and activity.

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

Closing some of the more complex deals and meeting the requirements of larger customers can be very challenging but also rewarding. I had the chance to support my partners through several nice opportunities, such as:

• Fort McCLellan Credit Union, via Network Technologies
• Ozark Pizza – Papa Johns, via Metro East Office Machines
• TruCorp (SuperCuts/ProCuts), via A-L Telephone
• London Eligibility Inc., via Landstar Voice & Data
• Eatonville School District, via On-It Networks

Are there any accomplishments that you are particularly proud of?

The ability to be consistent in my work and bringing in new clients each month is definitely a source of pride for me. Some months are better than others of course, but I usually have a healthy pipeline that results in a steady stream of new customers.

How do you unwind after a long, challenging day at work?

Nothing beats a good glass of Bourbon and a Cigar!  [Laughs.]

I spend most of my free time taking care of the family homestead, the Adams Pioneer Farm, which has been in our family since 1804. This is my go-to enjoyment, weather I am cutting down trees, mowing, or performing other general maintenance tasks. I take great pride in taking care of the 125-acre property.

We also own a well restored 1955 Packard Patrician, so we enjoy taking it to local cruise nights and car shows.

I also like watching sports, such as NASCAR, football (Buffalo Bills), and hockey (Buffalo Sabers). And you can’t live in Wester NY and not have a winter activity, … so I am a recreational skier a well. I have been skiing since I was 10 years old.

Any exciting plans or recent events in your life?

My wife and I are looking forward to taking our next major vacation to Ireland. We have been wanting to take this trip for several years, but due to weddings, a pandemic, and other circumstances it has been delayed. We are now planning to take this trip next year.

As for exciting news, my daughter recently got married, and I am extremely happy for her. With this wedding, my wife and I have raised our two kids, got them thru college, into houses, and married. So, we can say our parenting duties are officially accomplished!  Bring on the Grand kids!!!