While the success of Popstar Networks is directly tied to the contributions of each person on our team and their continued focus on client success, we wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the guidance, inspiration and example set by our executive leadership team.
Tom Reed, CEO and Steve Hagenlock, CTO
Tom joined Popstar Networks in early 2006 to help guide the company through its early development phases, continuing on with a marked expansion in 2008 into multiple verticals — including retail, QSR, healthcare and live events.
A business strategist with expertise in software distribution and strategic partnerships, Tom previously co-founded Saztec International, where he led the organization’s growth from 3 people in one location to over 700 domestic and international employees in 11 locations—and a public market cap which exceeded $100 million at its peak.
Tom also served as president of Coaches Edge, Inc., where he managed the development of broadcast animation software for the sports industry, and secured private equity funding before merging the company with Sportvision in 2000.
Additionally, he acted as President and CEO at New Vision Corporation, a firm providing management consulting for technology, manufacturing and distribution companies.
Steve is responsible for leading the company’s product development vision from concept to release, having spent 20+ years developing innovative and award-winning media technologies.
Steve began his career with Lodgenet, and was instrumental in transforming the company into the world’s largest interactive TV system for hotels — leading R&D for multimedia engineering, developing quality control standards, and also exploring innovative new technologies and prototyping efforts.
Steve was also founder and developer of Coach’s Edge™— the first commercially available sports strategy animation product. Combining creative and innovative 3-D animations, the technology allowed coaches to create and animate new plays with complex scenarios. The Coach’s Edge team also produced animated content for sports television including CBS, ABC, NBC, ESPN, FOX and several online sports media sites. After the Coach’s Edge merger with Sportvision, Steve served as Executive Vice President of Engineering.
His multimedia engineering work and expertise have earned several industry and business accolades including an Emmy nomination in sports technology, Silicon Prairie Technology of the Year, and finalist for the Deloitte and Touche Entrepreneur of the Year.