If you don’t already know Dean Parker, you will soon enough. A graduate of Virginia’s Liberty University, Parker has worked in the communications industry across the country for over 14 years and is the Founder, President and CEO of Callis Communications, a cutting-edge unified cloud communications company based in Mobile, AL. Parker has returned to the Mid-Atlantic area to promote Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA), “an alliance that is revolutionizing the way enterprises communicate.”
Parker spoke to WashingtonExec about his 2012 goals for transforming the cloud communications industry and utilize the CCA. Parker also shared his secrets to success, personal brand and leadership style.
“Communications and IT worlds are converging at a rapid pace, and new technologies are transforming the way businesses communicate and compete,” said Parker.
WashingtonExec: Please tell us a little bit about your background and why you expanded your business to the Washington, D.C. area? How are you liking it?
Dean Parker: I have been in the Communication industry for over 14 years after graduating from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. I began my career in Virginia running sales distribution for two of the world’s largest and most recognized companies: General Electric and then Ericsson. Innovation and entrepreneurship have always been my passion, and I took a leap of faith to exit corporate America in 1999 and build my first venture: Callis Communications, a cutting-edge cloud communications company. Callis is recognized by Inc Magazine as one of the top 50 fastest growing telecom companies for four consecutive years.
I am also the Vice Chairman for the IT Network with the Young President’s Organization (YPO), which allows me to further promote innovation among communications and IT in business around the globe. Other leadership organizations that I participate in are D.C.’s MindShare and Leadership Alabama.
As for what brought me to Washington, D.C. – this region clearly a leading market for technology platform companies, and Callis specifically targeted D.C. to expand its customer and partner reach, which has proven to be critical to our success.
WashingtonExec: You are the co-founder of the Cloud Communications Alliance. What is CCA’s purpose? What goals does CCA have for the coming year?
Dean Parker: The Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA) is the largest alliance of cloud communications companies in the U.S. – over 125,000 users. CCA’s purpose is to foster innovation and collaboration in the communications space. We use our alliance to revolutionize the way enterprises communicate and compete by combining personal attention, local presence, and nationwide reach with a network of proven providers. We leverage the alliance promote our vision and to drive competitive prices in more markets verses the incumbent providers (AT&T, Verizon, Quest).
CCA 2012 goal line: expand the membership, serve as the market evangelist for the cloud communications industry, and continue our rapid growth in this fast growing industry. It is incredible to witness the significant impact that CCA has had across the country, and it continues to accelerate.
WashingtonExec: How would you describe the type of companies that make up CCA?
Dean Parker: The Cloud Communications Alliance is comprised of the industry leaders in cloud communications across the United States. Our members have the longest experience, deepest technology investments, and largest customer bases in the Hosted PBX industry. Each member owns and operates a facilities-based Hosted PBX switches and has dedicated MPLS IP infrastructure. The combined annualized revenues are more than $100 million and exceed 125,000 business users.
WashingtonExec: What is your leadership style?
Dean Parker: I believe in building others up, training and inspiring people, and this is part of my personal brand. I never lose sight of this and make it a point to share my time and talents with non-profits and world changing organizations.
I am a servant leader who relentlessly peruses excellence. Simply put, people come first in the organizations I lead. I constantly push our team to be the best they can be, personally and professionally, and to not accept anything less. I am driven to make sure our team is inspired to think and grow out of the box, and know that I am always there for them. Expect the best from people and they will achieve it! Leading in this way has been tremendously fruitful and has paid back a hundred-fold!
