Our next team member is an industry veteran with a passion for helping others with video communications, basketball, and pain and injury.
- 28 years in the Audio/Video Industry
- 15 years of product line management at Nortel Networks for Multimedia Solutions including working on the first desktop video conferencing system (VISIT Video, 1991).
- Dallas, Texas is Willis’ hometown.
How did you get started with video communication & collaboration?
I did not begin my professional career in video communications at all. My career path actually begins with my father’s restaurant.
My father opened the first Chinese restaurant in Dallas, Texas, located near Southern Methodist University (SMU). Many SMU professors frequented our restaurant and became close friends with my family. One gentleman frequently dined there. His name was Dr. Willis Tate, the president of SMU at the time. He was so kind and helpful to my family. In addition, my parents named me after him. When it was time for me to select a university to attend, I chose SMU.
I graduated from SMU with a business degree in Management Information Systems and began work in commercial banking until the banking crisis of the 1980’s. I did not like what I saw happening in the industry and thought it was in my best interest professionally to pursue a master’s degree in Telecommunications Management from the University of Dallas.
In 1989, I joined the Nortel product management team. Believe it or not, I helped introduce Visit Video, the first desktop video system to the world. That was almost 30 years ago!
I worked with several Fortune 1000 companies to integrate audiovisual solutions within their organizations. This was an exciting time in the industry and I discovered my passion for helping people with video communications.
What was your career path to i2i Technologies?
When I was a Product Manager at Nortel, I hired Chris Harmon to join my team. I saw his talent and work ethic. He was quickly promoted out of our team to run his own testing lab.
After I left Nortel, I joined i2i Technologies in 2005. My love of working with smaller organizations on multimedia solutions was a good fit with the i2i Technologies philosophy and team. Our diverse and experienced team at i2i Technologies enables us to provide unique solutions in the video communication space which has been a passion of mine for almost 30 years now.
Describe a unique situation where you used video communication & collaboration.
Okay, I know this event was a while ago, but it was unbelievable at the time. I was on the team that supported the opening of the National First Ladies’ Library in Canton, Ohio in the 90s.
The original plan was to connect all the living first ladies via video conference for one live event. Aligning social calendars was too much, so instead, I spent five days at the White House and connected first lady Hillary Clinton to students throughout the world. It was an amazing experience then and now.
From your perspective, how has the industry changed over time, where do you see it going, and why does that matter?
With the increase of device-to-device communications and a generation of people who are used to using their mobile devices, we need to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers, whatever solution we are selling.
Video communications integrate with other tools that people use in business and in their personal lives. The technology is easier for the users, but making the appropriate selection and bringing the technology into the organizational workflow can be a challenge.
The i2i Technologies team of experts has this experience and can make this happen for any industry.
What words or phrases would you use to describe i2i Technologies?
We care about our customers. Caring is the first word that comes to mind. We are also good problem-solvers. We are professional and passionate. The varied and deep experience of our team helps us provide a unique offering to customers.
What do you like to do and how do you spend your time away from work?
- I love that I get to work with video communications and help others with that in my job. It is a passion of mine.
- I also love to play basketball. Generally, I play 4-6 times a week and have coached all ages of players in both the United States and China.
- Helping people with their pain and injury by using a neurostimulator device is another area that I am passionate about. It is a blessing to see people improve or get completely healed. I recently had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala on a mission trip and was able to help many people.
