BIO – Stephen M. Leaden, President, Leaden Associates, Inc.

Stephen Leaden is founder and President of Leaden Associates, Inc., an independent Telecommunications IT consulting firm providing specialized support in Telecommunications technologies and ROI strategies.  Mr. Leaden has been in the Telecommunications field over 25 years, with 17 of those with his own firm.  Clients include recognized enterprise clients in healthcare/education, manufacturing, financial services, publishing, and government vertical market segments. 

Mr. Leaden’s firm focuses as an extension of IT staff to facilitate the design, procurement, project implementation, and outsourcing for converged voice and data solutions.  During their engagement, Leaden Associates proactively adds value via ROI strategies integrated into the projects they serve on. 

Mr. Leaden’s practice has focused on Voice over IP and key market trends in this area – he has spoken at national and International conferences on VoIP, has written four papers on VoIP strategies, troubleshooting and security, and has been quoted in national industry publications including BCR Magazine, Computer World, Information Week, and the Washington Post among others. Mr. Leaden is on the faculty of BCR Training and teaches a two day training course entitled “Optimizing Enterprise Networks”.

Mr. Leaden is Past President and member of the Society of Telecommunications Consultants, a national Telecommunications association that requires objectivity and professionalism as a prerequisite for membership.  Mr. Leaden's degree is from Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York.

DETAILED BIOGRAPHY - Stephen M. Leaden

Stephen Leaden is founder and President of Leaden Associates, Inc., an independent Telecommunications consulting firm providing specialized support in leading technologies.  Steve has been in the Telecommunications field over 24 years, with 12 of those with his own firm.  Clients include ColumbiaUniversity, The New York Presbyterian Hospital, EdisonSchools, Fuji Film, and Forbes, Inc., among others. Steve’s firm focuses as an extension of IT staff to facilitate the design, procurement, and project implementation, and ongoing support for converged voice and data solutions. During their engagement, Leaden Associates proactively adds value via ROI strategies integrated into the projects they serve on.

Steve has extensive project management background in voice and data communications.  His career originated in voice communications and expanded later into data communications, networks, and cable plant.  Steve has also worked for several specific industry groups, including healthcare, education, and financial services.

Steve has managed Telecommunications projects associated with major relocations. He has been responsible for data center relocations and data communications network management systems procurement and installation.  He has configured and implemented central office, SONET, T-1 installations, frame relay networks, and converged network applications.  He has configured and coordinated installation of voice and data networks and associated hardware, both domestic and international.  He has planned, designed, and implemented converged voice, data, and video networks for multi-site clients.

Steve has been responsible for standardization, implementation, and extensive documentation of client networks.  He has designed and implemented PBX and voice mail systems, CallCenter environments, and call accounting systems.  His recent work includes the design of an integrated VoIP over SONET network which includes an extensive dialing plan, on-net voice calling, integrated audio conferencing, and on-net videoconferencing for a multi-site client.

Steve has also worked for key executive management, assisting executives for major Fortune 500 corporations.  His ability to explain highly technical issues in terms easily understandable has assisted upper management in critical decision-making processes.

Steve is a regular speaker at national trade shows and has lectured on significant industry topics, including the Real ROI of VoIP (October, 2002), CTI Standards, Internet/Intranet Applications In Healthcare, An Idiot’s Guide To ATM, Mastering Your Internet Business Strategies, and a three (3) day training seminar in cable infrastructure.  Steve has also been quoted in Information Week and Computer World, and interviewed by CFO magazine.

Steve is the immediate Past President of The Society of Telecommunications Consultants, a national Telecommunications consulting association that requires objectivity and professionalism as a prerequisite for membership.  He is on the Advisory Board for the Academy For Information Technology (AIT) in Stamford that creates technology skill sets for high school level academia – this program is currently getting state-wide visibility because of its focus and achievements, and is on the Advisory Board of the National Center for Telecommunications Technologies, a national organization for Telecommunications education in the higher education arena. He is a past Co-Chairperson of the NY State Orange County Chamber Of Commerce Delegate Program.  Steve has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from MaristCollege, Poughkeepsie, New York.