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Our People

Keeping your company and home online, 24x7, is the mission of VISI's staff of over 80 Minnesota-based data center professionals. From our sales people and engineering technicians to our customer care and billing staff, VISI's goals are to hire the best talent and earn your trust. Here's a glimpse of the people dedicated to keeping you and your business connected to the Internet.

Learn more about the data center solutions provided by Minnesota-based VISI.

Terry Swanson, Chief Executive Officer

With more than twenty-five years of experience within the IT industry, Terry Swanson is accustomed to leading organizations through rapid growth phases. Terry joined VISI in the summer of 2011, and serves as CEO for both VISI Incorporated and its sister company TEAM Companies in Iowa and Wisconsin. Prior to joining VISI, Terry held various positions within Sirius Computer Solutions, CDW Corporation, IBM, and Cisco Systems Inc. Terry’s experience and exposure to a wide range of vertical markets with leading technology companies provides him with the insights necessary to continue VISI’s rapid escalation as the Midwest’s premier data center services and managed hosting provider. Terry graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Jason Baker, Chief Technical Officer

Jason has over 14 years of experience working with Internet and telecommunications organizations in Minnesota. Prior to VISI, he co-founded Digital North and was the technology leader within the organization. In his capacity as Director of Operations, Jason helped Digital North expand into multiple datacenters serving thousands of customers.  Prior to Digital North, Jason was a key technology driver at iPares, a multinational dot-com consultancy. Jason managed the profitable Application Hosting division within the organization. Early in his career he joined incNET, a startup Internet Service Provider located in Eden Prairie. As Chief Engineer he guided the organization during a time when the Internet was first becoming a useful business tool. incNET was eventually acquired by MEANS Telcom (now Onvoy). Jason joined MEANS as a Senior Engineer within their newly formed Professional Services

Pam Caneva, Chief Financial Officer

Pam Caneva brings more than 20 years of financial management experience to VISI. She joined VISI as the Controller in 2004. Prior to VISI, Pam had been with Industrial Container Services, United Electric and Jassoy, Graff & Douglas, CPAs. Pam is a CPA with a BS in Business Administration from San Diego State University.

Bob Marquardt, Director of Sales

Bob specializes in the sales and marketing of industrial products in the business- to- business market. He has worked for large and small companies alike, including most recently serving as Director, Sales, Commercial Products at Cummins for North America Power Generation. In addition to his role at VISI, Bob is an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas. He has also served as a past faculty member for both the Carlson School of Management and the University of Minnesota. His course offerings include: distribution strategy, sales management, logistics, and supply chain management. After a tour in the U.S. Navy, Bob received his undergraduate degree and graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota. VISI thanks Bob and his family for his service to our Country.

Gary Elfert, Director of Products and Marketing

Gary Elfert brings over fifteen years of industry experience to VISI.  Gary has been with VISI since 2003 and is responsible for product management and marketing.   Prior to joining VISI, Gary served from 2000 through 2002 as the Sales Manager for infinetivity, a local Internet Service Provider. From 1995 to 2000, Gary worked in the capacity of Director of Operations of Citilink Internet, a local Internet Service Provider.

Ralph Awad, Director of Data Center Operations

Ralph Awad came to VISI in 2004, bringing with him seven years of technology experience, seven years of experience as a business owner/manager and valuable business and operations management leadership skills. Ralph’s degrees include a bachelor of science in mathematics, a bachelor of science in chemistry, and a bachelor of science in religious education.

Leon Schilmoeller, Executive Director of Operations

Leon Schilmoeller brings to VISI over 30 years of IT infrastructure, applications, operations and executive management experience. He has worked with voice and data network services and solutions since 1983, and worked in academia over 10 years. Roles Leon has held in his career include: President & CEO of Infinity AccessNET; VP of Operations & CTO for Integrated Network Technologies; Manager of Global Messaging and Groupware for 3M; Telecommunications Manager of US Wide Area Networks for 3M; Technical Specialist for 3M's Software & Electronic Resource Center; Director of Academic Computing at St. John's University (MN). Early in his career Leon was on the Computer Science faculty at St. John's University (MN) and Augustana College (SD). More recently Leon has been an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas.  Leon holds 2 B.A. Degrees from St. John's University and a M.S. Degree from St. Cloud State University.

Jeff Hagen, Manager of Applications Development

Jeff Hagen brings fifteen years of experience to VISI.  Prior to joining VISI, he served as a Senior Software Engineer for ten years at Symantec Corporation.  At Symantec, he helped to produce mission critical data center solutions for the VERITAS NetBackup family of products.  Jeff also provided software applications development consulting services for MCI in Colorado Springs.  From 1995-1997, he served as a Quality Assurance Engineer at Evolving System in Denver.