Leadership
Tom Eaton has over 30 years of experience leading and growing sales and business development teams in the wireless telecommunication industry. He is one of the principal owners of AirWay and was appointed its Chief Executive Officer in June 2018. He also serves as president and CEO of the MNS Group.
Tom spent the early years of his career at Lucent Technologies where he served in several financial analysis and sales account management roles. From 2000 to 2004, he was an account executive with Commnet Supply, where he focused his efforts on the sale of new and repurposed Lucent and Nokia wireless network equipment to regional and rural wireless service providers. After Commnet Supply was acquired by Telmar Network Technologies, he was promoted to vice president of wireless sales until joining MNS in a similar executive position in 2010.
From 2012 to 2017, he was an account executive for Cisco Systems (NYSE) where he sold software platforms to AT&T, Verizon and other tier-one wireless service providers. His primary focus was on leading-edge technology that supported Cisco’s packet core solutions and self-optimizing network (SON) architectures.
Tom earned his Bachelor of Finance degree in 1994 from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland. He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Mark Gergel is a principal owner of AirWay and serves as its chairman. He is also the Chief Financial Officer of the MNS Group, a collection of wireless network infrastructure equipment and service providers that he cofounded in 2007.
Mark spent the early years of his career with Ernst & Young as a CPA. He then spent nine years in financial management and business development positions with Federal-Mogul Corporation (NYSE). From 1992 to 2000, he was Chief Financial Officer of World Access (NASDAQ), a proprietary telecom equipment and services company that grew from $15 million in revenue to over $500 million during his tenure.
From 2001 to 2007, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Commnet Wireless, a network-based provider of voice and data roaming services. After five consecutive years of more than 125 percent growth in both revenue and earnings, Commnet Wireless merged with ATN International (NASDAQ) in 2005. From 2001 to 2005, he was Chief Financial Officer of Commnet Supply, a wireless telecom equipment distributor.
Mark also serves as CFO of TAG Towers, a cellular tower developer he cofounded in 2008. He was an early investor in Network Management Holdings (“NMS”) in 2012 and held a board advisor position there through 2017. NMS built, owned and operated 450 cellular towers in Colombia, Mexico and Nicaragua that were sold in a $75 million transaction in 2017.
Mark is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he earned his BBA degree.
Kelly Lakkis has worked at AirWay for over 20 years, beginning her career in an administrative role and quickly progressing into sales management and executive positions focused on selling products and services to Latin American wireless carriers.
In June 2018 she was promoted to vice president of global sales, where she now oversees all sales and marketing activities of AirWay, including an extensive team of domestic and international sales professionals.
Kelly earned a Double Major in Communications and German Literature at the University of Cincinnati. Prior to working in the Telecom Industry, Kelly spent three years living in Barcelona, Spain. She speaks fluent Spanish and conversational German.
Ben Bleser has over 28 years of experience developing and engineering software applications, websites, databases and business processes. He joined AirWay in 2000 and was promoted to his current position in July 2019. He has been instrumental in the creation, development and management of the company’s proprietary ERP system (“Trakker”). This customized system tracks, organizes and analyzes wireless equipment selling and sourcing opportunities, carrier networks, quotes/orders, consignment programs, inventory management and other key functions of AirWay’s operations.
Ben started his career at The David Joseph Company, where he worked very closely with the Transportation Division Sales group to develop a proprietary customer management system. He led and managed the Year 2K project and also worked in Mexico City for two years managing the implementation of software and systems.
Ben earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems from Northern Kentucky University.
Ted joined AirWay in November 2023 as Director of Finance. He is responsible for all finance, treasury and risk management affairs of the company, including financial reporting, banking, insurance, tax and legal. Ted also plays a key role in the planning and execution of the company’s strategic initiatives, such as business partnerships, joint ventures and acquisitions.
From 2021 to 2023, Ted was an Investment Banker in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Raymond James, where he advised clients on an array of merger, acquisition, divestiture and recapitalization transactions across a variety of industries.
He spent the early years of his career as a Private Equity Investor at Portfolio Advisors and an Investment Banker at MTS Health Partners, both New York-based firms. While in these positions, he evaluated, executed and monitored investments in middle-market companies and provided M&A advisory services.
Ted received his B.B.A in Finance from Loyola University Maryland.
Lou joined AirWay in July 2019 in the newly created position of vice president of business development. His efforts will be focused on developing new customer opportunities, managing new channel partnerships and marketing joint network and service projects offered by AirWay and the MNS Group companies.
He spent the early years of his wireless industry career at GTE/Verizon and Cingular, where he held various director and manager positions in roaming, marketing and carrier relations. Prior to joining AirWay, he held executive management positions with Commnet Wireless, including President and Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2017. Lou brings to AirWay an impressive track record of managing projects designed to expand the network reach and customer service levels of national, regional and rural wireless carriers.
Lou received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton and holds an MBA degree from Vanderbilt University.
Teresa Perrault has worked for AirWay for over 11 years. She is responsible for overseeing the daily accounting functions with the assistance of Our Staff Accountant and Office Manager. Her focus has been on streamlining AR/AP functionality and best practices to achieve the company’s overall sales and purchasing goals.
Teresa came to AirWay from a diverse background in convention and sports arena accounting as well as customer service in the R & D Office of a large chemical manufacturer.
Teresa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration/public safety from Union Institute and University.
Amanda Villers joined AirWay in June 2018 as its Human Resources Manager. She has also worked for the MNS Group of companies since January 2015 first serving as its Office Manager before being promoted to Controller.
In January 2024, in connection with the AirWay-MNS merger, Amanda was appointed Director of Human Resources. She now oversees all aspects of the Company’s human resources including recruiting, personnel policies, payroll administration and employee benefit plans.
The earlier days of her career were spent working in support roles for the B2B team and corporate office of a Sprint preferred retailer.
Amanda earned her Bachelors degree in Mass Communications from Georgia College & State University.