Company Management
First Communications’ team of directors, senior executives and operating managers have significant experience in the communications industry and extensive knowledge of its local markets. Members of the First Communications executive management team have more than 70 years of combined experience in managing communications companies. In addition to industry knowledge, the management team has public company operational experience and expertise in integrating acquired facilities.
Key Management
- Raymond Hexamer, CEO
Raymond Hexamer is Chief Executive Officer of First Communications. Prior to joining the company in 2005, Ray was President and General Manager of WHBC Radio and was involved in all aspects of the business, including on-air, sales, finance and management. Ray also was part of the investment group and CEO of SkyLAN, a wireless Internet provider, whose assets were acquired by First Communications. Radio Ink Magazine named Ray as one of the top five presidents/general managers nationally in 2002 and as one of the top seven in 2003. Ray is involved in numerous community boards and was the 2001 General Chairman of the Professional Football Hall of Fame Festival. Ray received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Akron.
- Margi Shaw, President
Margi serves as President of First Communications, which is a competitive technology and communications provider focused in the Midwest. With broad insight across the information technology, cloud computing and CLEC arenas, Margi continues to diversify and grow the First Communications business. With a strong focus on the customer experience and operational excellence, Margi bridges technology with world class customer service. Prior to joining First Communications, Margi succesfully led CIMCO Communications serving as the COO with responsibility for all aspects of CIMCO Communications' products and services, increasing both revenue and margin. Margi assumed cradle-to-grave accountability with responsibility ranging from Business Planning, Product Development, Engineering, Network Operations, and Service Delivery within CIMCO. Through the transformative stages of CIMCO, Margi has been particularly skilled at building organizational capabilities enabling the business to progress into new categories. CIMCO's success in the enterprise customer segment resulted in a strategic acquisition by Comcast Business Services in 2010.
- Mark Sollenberger, CFO
Mark Sollenberger is Chief Financial Officer of First Communications. Prior to joining First Communications, Mark served as Vice President of Finance for Resolve Corporation, a $400 million publicly held Canadian business process outsourcing company, where he was instrumental in taking the company public in 2006. Mark previously held the position of Director of Finance at Allen Telecom, a $500 million publicly held international manufacturer and distributor of wireless telecommunications equipment and services. Mark received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Kent State University.
- Sandi Murphy, SVP, General Counsel
Sandi Murphy is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of First Communications. Prior to joining First Communications, Sandi was an attorney for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and served as Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of ProCare Automotive. Before transitioning to in-house counsel, Sandi was a partner with Benesch Friedlander and then of-counsel at Jones Day, with practices focusing on corporate, mergers and acquisitions and securities law. She has served as an officer, director and active member of various community organizations. Sandi received a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Kent State University and a juris doctorate from Vanderbilt University School of Law.
- Jamie Rowlands, SVP of Sales
Jamie joined First Communications in 2002 and is responsible for all Sales Channels and Revenue Growth for the Business Services Group, including Customer Retention, New Sales Revenue, and Margin growth. Jamie has 25 years of business experience, specifically in the disciplines of Sales Management and Business and Consumer Marketing. Jamie holds an MBA from The Ohio State University, and a B.S. in Business Administration from Miami University. Prior to joining First Communications, he held the position of Major Accounts Manager at Sprint for 4+ years. Jamie has held various Sales and Marketing Management positions at FirstEnergy from 1987 through 1999, including Director of National Sales.