About VISI

Our People

Keeping your company and home online, 24x7, is the mission of VISI's staff of over 60 Minnesota-based 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.

Mike Sowada, Chief Executive Officer

Mike Sowada has been a leader in technology management for almost 20 years. Before VISI, Mike was CEO/Founder of Digital North, a leading provider of business-class hosting solutions. Prior to Digital North, Mike was CEO/Founder of DKS Systems, one of the top technical Web development companies in the Twin Cities. Other roles Mike has held in his career include Director of Internet Systems for WWWRRR, Inc.; Director of Applications Development for Net Perceptions, Inc.; and a variety of managing director roles at The Musicland Group. Mike started his career as a consultant with Andersen Consulting. Mike was recently named “2005 Emerging Entrepreneur” for his contributions and leadership in the area of Internet technologies. Michael holds a BS in Computer Science from Mankato State University and an MBA in Venture Management from the University of St. Thomas.

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.

Brian Stevenson, Vice President of Sales

Brian Stevenson joins VISI with over 20 years of sales experience.  Previously, Brian was a sales executive at Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions, one of the world’s largest distributors of computing solutions.  There he was part of Arrow’s 6-year growth from a startup division to a successful company with over $600 million in sales annually.  Prior to Arrow, Brian was the Managing Director for Norstan Direct (now owned by Black Box).  Brian’s other experience includes Regional Director of Direct Sales for CompUSA and National Corporate Sales Manager at Micron Computer, and an account executive at the computer manufacturer Zeos International   Brian holds a B.S. degree in Finance from Mankato State University.

Gary Elfert, Director of Products and Marketing

Gary has moved into managing products and marketing after managing sales and marketing for VISI since 2003. Gary Elfert brings over thirteen years of industry experience to VISI.  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 owner and Director of Operations of Citilink Internet, a local Internet Service Provider.

Bradley Urberg-Carlson, Manager of Network Operations

Bradley started with VISI in 2004. Prior to VISI Bradley worked at MRNet/Onvoy as and Senior Network Engineer. From 2000-2004 he worked as a Technical Consultant for Caspian Networks. Before that he was a Network Administrator for The Science Museum of MN. Bradley’s an expert in network design and security, knowing what businesses need to do to keep up with changing technology. He holds a B.A. in Mathematics from St. Olaf College.

Ralph Awad, Manager of Hosting Services

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.

Jeff Kozel, Manager of Customer Services

Jeff Kozel has been implementing impeccable customer service for VISI since 2000 when he began as a Customer Care Representative. Jeff’s service-centered influence spread as he moved into his roles as the Manager of Support at VISI.com in 2002, and the Manager of Customer Services for VISI in 2004. Jeff’s role today continues to focus on maintaining VISI’s superior customer service reputation throughout the greater Twin Cities region.

Leon Schilmoeller, Manager of Strategic Projects

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.