Biographies

Archie M. Croom served with Premiere Network Services from 1986 to 2005 as Vice President of Engineering and MIS before joining b4Ci. He has a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and 35 years experience in telecommunications systems. Like Leo, Archie is also a Vietnam Era veteran (Sgt. U.S.A.F.) Mr. Croom has broad experience managing national data communications networks for large companies, and has been a consultant for a wide variety of clients designing hardware, software, and communications systems. In addition, he is well versed in the field of process validation. Archie has distinguished himself numerous times over the 20 year affiliation with his own companies and in working with Leo's. This includes being the principal designer of the first disaster recovery center inside a telephone central office, a concept he helped bring to life for Leo in 1986.

David P. Mowery served with Premiere Network Services, Inc. from 1999-2005 as Director of Finance, Corporate Treasurer CFO. Dave has degrees in Philosophy and Education from Mount St Paul College in Waukesha WI and later an equivalent Business degree in Accounting from the University of Nevada-Reno where he taught for several years. He has broad experience teaching accounting and taxes in both classroom courses and seminars. He also has operated his own CPA practice in both Nevada and Texas since Jan. 1976. Dave has had extensive training and experience in Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and 404 Standards, in telecommunications billing audits, and in establishing internal controls for the prevention and detection of fraud. Mr. Mowery is currently in the process of becoming a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

Sharon M. (Ford) Wrobel served as Corporate Secretary and Director of Personnel for Premiere Network Services Inc. prior to joining b4Ci in 2004. During that time Sharon was instrumental in getting Premiere certified as the first CLEC to be certified in all 50 states by aiding in filings and when called upon, attending hearings. Sharon also engaged in extensive research for Premiere, a function she continues with b4Ci as Vice President of Business Development. In addition to her duties at b4CI and another company owned by Leo and Sharon, TelLAWCom Labs, Sharon was also President of the Ellis County Early Childhood PTA and the Ovilla Lions Club. Sharon attended the University of Maryland and El Centro College in Dallas and received training as a registered nurse before joining Leo in the businesses in the late 1990's. Sharon has likewise served as a municipal official as well by accepting appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Historical Commission. For more on Sharon, including her Disaster Recovery articles, click:

For over 20 years, b4Ci founder Leo A. Wrobel’s achievements have brought him widespread acceptance and acclaim. His eleven books and over 500 trade articles stand as testament to his ability, having withstood the scrutiny of thousands of technologists and peers. Leo built the first Computer Disaster Recovery Center in the U.S. "co-located" in a telephone central office in 1986. Leo was also the first person in Dallas Texas run telephone traffic over the Cable-TV system that same year. Leo's 30 years of experience includes a host of firms engaged in banking, brokerage, heavy manufacturing, telecommunications services and government. A noted author and technical futurist, Leo is responsible for many technological firsts in telecommunications as well as disaster recovery, including the first microwave "bypass" shot in Dallas (1985). Leo served ten years as an elected Mayor and City Councilman of a Dallas suburb (but says he is "better now"). A sought-after speaker, Wrobel has lectured throughout the United States and overseas in Israel, South America, and other locations, as well as appearing on several television news programs. A knowledgeable and effective communicator, he has combined his political and technical savvy in repeated engagements in order to get things done, even at the highest policy levels. Leo served as President and CEO of Dallas-based Premiere Network Services Inc. from 1986 until 2005. Prior to this he was Director, Network Planning and Engineering for Lomas and Nettleton and held technical positions at AT&T in its former Long Lines subsidiary. Leo is a Vietnam Era Veteran (Sgt. U.S.A.F.) and holds degrees in Electronic Systems Technology and Telecommunications Systems Technology and from Los Angeles City College as well as in Business and Public Policy from the University of Texas at Dallas. Leo is a member of the I.E.E.E., Independent Telephone Pioneers of America, Southwestern Bell Pioneers, and other noteworthy organizations. An active author and technical futurist, his eleven books and over 500 trade articles on a wide variety of technical subjects, including: Understanding Emerging Network Services, Pricing, and Regulation (© Artech House Books), Managing Emerging Technologies for Competitive Advantage (© 1995 Computer Economics), the Definitive Guide to Business Resumption Planning, (© Artech House Books) and The MIS and LAN Managers Guide to Advanced Telecommunications (© I.E.E.E. Books). To see a detailed CV on Leo, click here: