Presenter

Kenneth W. Kousky, CISSP
President & CEO, IP3 Inc

Ken Kousky is a veteran of the IT software and services industries. Few individuals are able to blend such a broad range of experience and expertise as an executive (he was CEO of a public company for six years), as an educator (he's taught at the University of Pennsylvania and Washington University in both the School of Engineering, the School of Arts & Sciences and the Business School as a teaching fellow, adjunct professor, and as Director of the Center For Communications and Network Management) and as a technologist (he's been a software industry executive and holds a CISSP certification, Certified Information Systems Security Professional). His years of experience as both an educator and an entrepreneur (recipient of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award) are reflected in his business and professional accomplishments. He is a visionary in the computing technology, education and marketing industry with three successful start-ups, two major mergers and an IPO under his belt.

As a professional speaker, Ken is able to bridge the gap between the "C's", and their focus on financial outcomes and the operational and technical professionals. He’s a sought-after speaker on topics such as national cyber security, corporate financial management and enterprise network security. From "Bits to Budgets", Ken is able to cut through the noise factors surrounding today's critical technology, business and security issues to provide clear and concise insight into the most pressing IT Security issues.

Today, Ken is CEO of IP3, Inc., an information security consulting firm, and is the Dow Entrepreneur-in-Residence in the College of Business and Management, Saginaw Valley State University, where he teaches classes in management and entrepreneurship. He serves on the IEEE New Standards Board, and is a member of ISACA and the FBI’s Michigan InfraGard, a collaboration for National infrastructure protection.

In 1988, Ken founded Wave Technologies to meet the growing demand for end-user and management technology training. In a record 6 years, he guided his vision from the study of his home to a NASDAQ publicly traded independent technology company.

In 1993, Ken received the Anthony Lake Award, presented by the National Association of Black Telecommunications Professionals, and in 1995, named Entrepreneur of The Year by Ernst & Young. In 1997, the company was honored with the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 Award, and his leadership has placed Wave in the ranks of the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association's "Technology Fast 50" for the past five years.

Prior to founding Wave, Ken served as Vice President at Novell, Inc., and President of NetWare Centers International, the subsidiary responsible for worldwide sales, distribution and support of the Novell product family. While at Novell, he managed 20 worldwide offices and grew the company to over 450 employees. His innovative direction establishing NetWare Centers around the world provided the foundation for the explosive growth of local area networking and helped Novell grow from $60 million to $250 million in revenues in less than two years. Ken's efforts to create a market for new technologies lead to innovative forms of educational marketing including the creation of the first NetWorld conferences with their extensive focus on broad technology education. He also created a channel education program that became the industry’s first major IT professional certification, the Certified NetWare Engineer (CNE).

In his efforts to drive technology education into the market, Ken assisted in the formation of the Association of Better Computer Dealers, which eventually evolved into CompTIA. There, Ken played an active role in the development and expansion of many of the industry’s most important certification programs. In addition to these vital roles, Ken has also served on the U.S. Department of Defense Information Assurance Certification Advisory Committee for the Institute for Defense Analysis.

After leaving Novell, Ken established Washington University's graduate program in Telecommunication Management, and directed the University's Center for Communications and Networking Management. Both programs were the first of their kind in the U.S. Ken also taught at the University of Pennsylvania and in its nationally renowned Wharton School of Business while working on a doctoral degree in Economics. He received his Master's degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1978. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Urban Studies from Washington University.

Active in the community and professional organizations, Ken serves on several advisory boards including Saginaw Valley State University’s College of Business & Management Advisory Board, Lawrence Technological University’s College of Management DMIT Advisory Board, Webster University's Business School Advisory Board, Washington University Arts and Sciences National Council, Computers for Schools, St. Louis Public Schools Foundation, the IEEE New Standards NesCom Committee, Chairman of the IEEE Safety and Security Committee, Michigan InfraGard, the Linux Professional Institute Advisory Council, OpenUmbrella, the National Association of Black Telecommunications Professionals, and corporate advisory boards of Mira Computer Imaging Systems, CK Global, and Chairman of the Board for Salare Security.

Upon relocating to Michigan, Ken has quickly engaged in local community activities. Ken’s first year of venture consulting in Michigan for the Great Lakes Entrepreneurial Quest produced a third place North Region Winner. Ken served as the advisor and coach of two entrepreneurial teams with one of the teams receiving a 3rd place award out of 100 entrants.