Herb Lair Background

I’m an executive with over 35 years’ experience in USA and international business. My experience includes sales, marketing, accounting, customer care and billing, finance, operations, training, support, research and development, contract negotiations, and HR. I can develop, monitor, implement, and execute company growth strategies. My sales and marketing strategy is to leverage my extensive network. I contact the highest level of decision makers, ranging from industry gatekeepers to C-level executives to high-ranking government representatives in both the U.S. and abroad. I have successfully developed new business, increased existing business, and sold systems in all the states and over 50 countries. Consistent record of growing start-up companies to multi-million dollar operations. Outstanding presentation and communication skills.  

Consulting Solutions International, LLC                                                                                         1999-2015

Principal, Senior Consultant, President of CUO, Inc.

https://sites.google.com/site/cuoirent/home

·         Founded technology consulting firm specializing in business development, customer care and billing, business process improvement, and technology assessment for domestic and international cable, telephony, and ISP businesses.

·         Conducted business and technology assessments to identify ways to generate additional revenue.

·         Developed strategic business and sales plans, initiated sales process, designed interfaces, and implemented provisioning of services.

·         Formulated solutions for reducing expenses, assist with vendor and service provider selection, develop RFQs, managed conversions, implementations, call center re-engineering, and CC&B projects.

·         Reorganized IT departments to improve information flow.  Re-engineered key processes such as marketing, sales, and information management.

·         Consulting projects:

Research on social media analytics including behavioral marketing and targeted sales

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/behavioral-marketing-targeted-ads-herb-lair?trk=mp-reader-card

Research on Big Data analytics and Internet of Things

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/big-data-iot-perfect-match-herb-lair?trk=mp-reader-card

Business development for an “over-the-top” (OTT), cloud based service provider offering a virtual set top box and wholesale MVPD platform that complies with re-broadcast contracts.

Interim Executive Management - Turnarounds, start-ups, business development

Negotiated and facilitated telecommunications contracts for equipment, IoT, OTT, virtual set top boxes, planned communities, military bases, and property managers.

METLIFE                                                                                                                                     2009-2012

Registered Representative 

Supported telecommunications analysts and investment bankers

UBS                                                                                                                                             2005-2009

Registered Representative

Supported telecommunications analysts and investment bankers

CUO, Inc.                                                                                                                                      1994-1999

CEO of subsidiary

·         Sold CUO, Inc. assets to CableData with headquarters in Rancho Cordova, Calif., U.S. Computer Services (parent to CableData, CableData International, CUO Inc., CableLease and International Billing Services, now part of Amdocs) was at that time the largest supplier of subscriber management and statement production systems in the world, serving more than 33 million cable and direct-to-home subscribers worldwide.

·         CableData division commanded 57 percent of the transaction management and billing market in the U.S. cable industry, providing operational support systems to 21 of the 25 largest multiple system operators in the U.S. cable industry.

·         After selling assets to CableData and remained on as President of the subsidiary, CUO.  Led continued growth of company’s services, expanding to 50 countries. Now part of Amdocs.

·         Increased revenue by more than 50% annually and became largest provider of turnkey subscriber management and billing systems.  Oversaw migration to web-based services.

·         Developed and implemented addressable interfaces between set top box manufacturers and subscriber management system.

·         First company to install US-based subscriber management software in foreign languages, including Mandarin, Spanish, Romanian, Russian, Hungarian, French, and others.

CUO, Inc.                                                                                                                                         1975-1994

Founder and CEO

·         Founded CUO, Inc., and directed all corporate functions, including finances, operations, and business development.  Formulated all policies and procedures, recruited personnel, and guided company’s growth and market penetration.

·         Became first company to license software for subscriber management on an in-house PC-based solution

·         Developed advanced CRM strategies to manage subscriber marketing, sales, and relationships.

·         Developed business strategy focusing on providing cost-effective computer solutions, low-cost billing solutions for cable companies, and subscriber management systems.

·         Grew company from start-up to multi-million dollar company

·         Released first in-house subscriber management and billing system, rapidly expanded client base to national level. Started in rural US, expanded into all 50 states, and after consolidations, focused on international business development.

·         Led entry into foreign market with first international software license to client in Saipan, and then Bermuda, Trinidad, and the Dominican Republic. Client base included companies in Spain, Romania, Hungary, and Philippines.

·         Developed and implemented addressable interfaces between set top box manufacturers and subscriber management system.

·         Negotiated sale of my company to CableData and remained on as President of the subsidiary.  Led continued growth of company’s services, expanding to 50 countries. Now part of Amdocs.

·         CableData approached me on the acquisition after we had successfully sold several international systems.

EDUCATION

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

MS in Mathematics   BA in Mathematics

LICENSES

Series 7 - covers securities law and products (stocks, bonds, mutual funds)

Series 66 – additional rules and regulations covering Uniform Securities Act

LANGUAGES

Spanish, German

ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS

PI MU EPSILON NATIONAL MATHEMATICS HONOR SOCIETY

Kiwanis Club, President, Lt Governor

Local Airport Board, President

County Board of Education, President