IP3, an intellectual property (IP) publisher is the natural evolution of the software industry. Founded by industry veterans with extensive years experience in emerging markets and the challenges of sales and marketing of new technologies, IP3 addresses the industry's critical need for effective timely sales, marketing and distribution.
Metaphorically speaking, IP3 works similar to a book publisher. Just like a book publisher, IP3 assesses products, makes any changes required to make the products salable, and ultimately utilizes their sales and marketing expertise to distribute and sell the products to the end customer.
Because every product is different and every situation is different, IP3 customizes a solution that best suits the needs of the client. Whether it becomes a hard-hitting assessment of the product or service within a market context or simply adding a sales channel to an existing marketing endeavor, IP3 has all the pieces you need to turn your product into a money making proposition quickly and effectively.
IP3 Executive Team
Ken Kousky
President and CEO
Ken Kousky is president and chief executive officer of IP3. As a 20-year veteran of the computing technology industry, Ken founded IP3 after witnessing the ineffective business models used by the failing dot.com industry. His vision was to create an organization that would empower business and intellectual property (IP) professionals to analyze, manage, and leverage their IP assets. IP3 allows professionals to concentrate on their IP holdings, - including ideas, patents, products and licensing opportunities - while IP3 strategically manages and streamlines the entire process; this result in selling products benefiting the customer. As an innovator in delivering integrated training solutions and a visionary in the computing technology, education and marketing industry, Ken has built IP3 into a world-class leader in intellectual property publishing, sales and distribution.
Prior to IP3, Ken was president and CEO of Wave Technologies International, which he founded in 1988 in order to meet the growing demand for end-user and management technology training. In a record six years, he guided Wave from an office in his home to one of the first NSADAQ publicly traded independent technology companies. While at Wave, Ken earned the following awards: the Anthony Lake Award, presented by the National Association of Black Telecommunications Professionals; and Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1995, presented by Ernst & Young. Through his skilled leadership, Wave was honored with the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 Award in 1997 and received the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association's "Technology Fast 50" award five years in a row.
Prior to Wave, Ken was vice president at Novell, Inc., and president of NetWare Centers International, where he managed 20 worldwide offices and 450 employees. His innovative direction helped Novell grow from US$60 million to US$ 250 million in revenue.
Following his work at Novell, Ken established Washington University in St. Louis' graduate program in Telecommunications 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 has also taught at the University of Pennsylvania's nationally renowned Wharton School of Business.
Ken graduated with a Master's Degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor's degree in economics and urban studies from Washington University in St. Louis. He also currently serves on several boards, including Linux Professional Institute, National Association of Black Telecommunications Professionals, Mira Computer Imaging Systems, Webster University, Business School Advisory Board, and Washington University in St. Louis' Arts and Sciences National Council.
Karen Letain
Senior Vice President of Market Development and Operations
Karen Letain is IP3's Senior Vice President of Market Development and Operations. She leads the U.S. and Canadian market development and operations division, responsible for creating and executing strategic business development plans and driving new revenue opportunities. She brings over 10 years experience in the design, development, and marketing of professional services and technical training programs with several Canadian firms.
Before joining IP3, Karen was Vice President of Canadian Operations for Wave Thomson Learning, a division of the Thomson Corporation with 2000 revenues of $6 billion, and was responsible for producing and managing their successful IT training programs in Canada. Prior to her work at Wave, she was the director of professional services for Corel Corporation and an educational consultant with PLATO Learning(Canada) Inc.
Karen also spent six years as an instructor, educational program developer and curriculum designer of computer educational programs at the South Winnipeg Technical Centre and the Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology in Northwestern Ontario.
She holds a Master's Degree in Educational Administration and a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada.
Rey Umali
Vice President of Marketing
Rey Umali is IP3's Vice President of Marketing. He is responsible for the management of the company's marketing, including direct marketing, branding, program and product development, creative and art direction, and education and business marketing programs. Rey brings over 15 years of experience in marketing for the computer industry, a solid background in management, as well as a strong track record for generating consistent growth in revenue for multi-million dollar companies. Rey's ability to extract the untapped value of an organization's intellectual property assets is a key part of IP3's future growth.
Before joining IP3, Rey was Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Heuris Logic, Inc., and was responsible for managing successful programs for Panasonic Broadcasting, Hitachi Corporation-Japan, Ulead Inc-Japan and Spruce Technologies. Previous to his work at Heuris, he was Vice President of Marketing at Wave Technologies International for 10 years. He managed all marketing and creative programs, and was the driving force behind the development of "Boot Camp" certification seminars, generating over $20 million in revenue.
Rey has earned the following marketing and design awards: Summit Award and Communicator 2000 for marketing with Grizzell & Co., The Arrow Awards 1999 for Wave Technologies 'Boot Camp' direct marketing campaign, The American Graphic Design Awards (1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1998) for print and design excellence, and the Printing Industries of America Award for quality in publishing. Rey holds a MBA in marketing and BFA in visual communication.
Lenny Sawyer III
Vice President of Information Technology
Lenny Sawyer III is IP3's VP of Information Technology. He is responsible for managing technology and architecture, evaluating technology standards initiatives, and allocating technical resources and associated development programs. Lenny is an information technology strategist with strong leadership skills and a proven track record of operational excellence. His project management skills within information technology industries have focused on bottom-line results. In addition, Lenny is helping IP3 build an innovative intellectual property publishing organization through software strategy.
Lenny co-founded and served as chief operating officer for SAIR Linux and GNU Certification, Inc., one of the world's largest Linux training and certification companies. He managed the company's technical development and planning and grew SAIR Linux from zero to $2 million powerhouse in one year. He was also responsible for management of over 125 courseware developers and software programmers at SAIR's Oxford, MS location.
Lenny has extensive experience in the following computer systems: UNIX, Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, PHP, MySQL, PERL, Windows/Linux integration, and most open systems.
Wendy Chambers
Vice President of Client Services
Wendy Chambers is IP3’s Vice President of Client Services. She is responsible for developing key relationships to better service client needs. Her duties also include cultivating strategic partnerships for various events and developing and implementing tactical approaches for event marketing. She also plays a key role in directing IP3’s scholarship program.
Prior to IP3, Wendy served as the director of marketing at SAIR Linux and GNU Certification, Inc., one of the world’s largest Linux training and certification companies. She was responsible for creating and implementing successful marketing and public relations plans for SAIR’s National and International growth. Wendy was promoted from senior account manager at SAIR where she developed and maintained the sales channel for SAIR’s training curriculum. She also held several executive positions in marketing and account management at Endres and Wilson Advertising in Nashville. Additionally, Wendy has also served as a marketing and business development consultant for emerging technology related service-based businesses.
Wendy is also currently associated with OpenUmbrella, a non-profit organization created to promote the adoption and use of open source software and related technologies, where she serves as the market development manager. She develops strategic relationships and helps market, promote and enhance OpenUmbrella’s educational solutions and use of open source technology.
Wendy has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi.
Scott Thompson
Business Development Manager
Scott Thompson is one of IP3’s Business Development Managers. His primary duties include sponsorship sales and account maintenance.
Scott recently served as Vice President of Magazine Sales and Marketing and then as Vice President of Corporate Development at Oxford Publishing- the leader in tradeshows and trade publications for the On-and-Off Premise markets within the food and beverage industry. Scott oversaw the sales activity of three national trade publications. Scott spent much of his time writing proposals to major beverage companies as well as overseeing new projects within the Oxford Publishing organization.
No stranger to the IT industry, Scott was a Senior Account Manager at SAIR Linux and GNU Certification, Inc., one of the world’s largest Linux training and certification companies. Scott launched his career in print sales, spending four years at the Daily Mississippian in print media sales as the publication’s leading sales associate.
Scott has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and has completed all class work towards his MA in Journalism, from the University of Mississippi.