NewCore Wireless’ Executive Leadership Team shares a passion for innovation, technology and creativity. The team is comprised of proven industry veterans who have played pivotal roles driving growth in the rural telecommunications industry. Together, they bring great thought leadership and tangible business results to our partners to help them accelerate and grow their businesses.
Albert Kangas
General Manager & COO
As General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of NewCore Wireless, Albert is responsible for overseeing the business, technical and day-to-day operations of the company. Albert has 24+ years of experience in wireless communications and is considered one of the leading experts in wireless communications. Having worked on all aspects of engineering and operating a wireless network, his knowledge and understanding of rural wireless networks is unrivaled.
Albert is frequently asked to speak on topics of LTE, backhaul, DAS, network build outs, industry insights and more.
Previously, Albert served as Director of Network Engineering and Operations at St. Cloud Wireless Holdings. During this time, Albert guided the team through technology changes, network expansions, system integrations and finally transitions to Verizon and Sprint.
Roger Schmitz
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Roger Schmitz is responsible for leading NewCore Wireless’ finance organization, which includes corporate strategy, accounting and reporting, internal audit and investor relations. He is an experienced financial professional with over 19 years of diverse wireless telecommunications industry experience. Recognized as a trusted advisor with strong organizational, analytical and planning skills, Roger is a proven trainer with the respect of all in the rural wireless industry.
Roger is on the Board of Directors at the Rural Wireless Association (RWA) and is frequently asked to speak at industry events. His prior experience includes being the Controller for a wireless company with 250+ employees, CFO of two entrepreneurial telecommunications companies and audit manager for a regional CPA firm. Roger graduated from the University of St. John’s with a BA in Accounting.
Paul Vershure
Executive Director of Site Development and Construction Services
Paul Vershure has over 20 years of experience in the construction and site development industry. The past 10 years of his construction and site development experience have been in the wireless communication industry during a period of very aggressive cell site build out in the upper Midwest. Paul’s strategic approach to managing a large number of cell sites has proven itself as he continues to successfully lead the Site Development and Construction team at NewCore Wireless. Paul and his team are responsible for all aspects of site development from land acquisition to tower construction to base station commissioning. His understanding of construction and site development is second to none.
Paul started his career in the wireless industry at St Cloud Wireless Holdings where he was able to show his tremendous operational strengths by managing the initial build out phase for a Sprint PCS Minnesota affiliate. During the 2 year period of the initial build out, Paul was responsible for the construction and site development activities that averaged a new site on air every 3 days.
Chris Super
Director of Network Operations and IT
As Director of Network Operations and IT, Chris focuses on the day-to-day operations of running a 24 x 7 network. Chris’ successes in setting up and maintaining a quality data-center are like no other.
With over 12 years experience in the information technology industry, Chris truly understands execution and operations. He played a major role in the set up of the NewCore Wireless switching facility, establishing the design of the switching facility, researching and implementing a billing and provisioning system, and designing and implementing new data networks – both customer facing and internal core network.
Chris previously worked as a Systems/Network Administrator at various technology companies.
Stephanie Court
Director of Business Operations
Stephanie Court has over 17 years experience in the telecommunications industry and serves as NewCore Wireless’ Director of Business Operations, including project management, contract management, regulatory compliance and customer relations. Her leadership and management style is unmatched. Partners and clients know that when something needs to be done, Stephanie makes it happen.
Stephanie has been involved in several switch turn-up projects, most recently the turn-up of NewCore Wireless’ 4G switch supporting partners across the Midwest.
Stephanie formally served as Budget and Material Operations Manager at Northern PCS Services, a Sprint Affiliate, where she oversaw the multi-million dollar Capital and Operational Budgets of the Network Operations Department, as well as the Project Management, Purchasing and Warehouse Operations groups. She is active in the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce.
Cami Zimmer
Director of Marketing and Communications
Cami Zimmer serves as NewCore Wireless’ Director of Marketing and Communications, joining the team in 2011. She is an accomplished communications and strategic development professional with extensive communications strategy, marketing, and branding experience. She is responsible for the strategic leadership of NewCore Wireless’ communications, marketing and public relations, as well as strategic development.
Prior to the wireless industry, Cami worked in the public policy industry with positions at the White House, Minnesota House of Representatives, Minnesota Department of Human Services and leading a variety of associations.
She currently sits on subcommittees with the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), the Rural Wireless Association (RWA), the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) and the Digital Signage Federation . She is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Julie Ahlbrecht
Intercarrier Relations Manager
Joining the NewCore Wireless team in 2009, Julie brings two decades of experience in partnership relations. She is responsible for managing all aspects of NewCore Wireless’ roaming partner relationships, including roaming agreement negotiations, network set-up and implementation, GSMA industry standard testing through to Commercial Launch, TAP reconciliation, billing, settlement and financial clearing. She is also responsible for network switching updates including roaming, 911, translations and trunking implementation.
Julie is an active member of the GSMA Billing, Accounting and Roaming Group and the North American BARG/TADIG Working Group.
Julie started her career in telecommunications with Cellular One of Rapid City, South Dakota. Her career evolved with experience in many aspects of telecommunications with Rural Cellular Corporation in Alexandria, MN, Quantum Communications in Eden Prairie, MN and Northern PCS in St Cloud, MN.