Jim Haid has held executive positions at AT&T, PSINet, Convergent Media Systems, NationsRent, and most recently at HEICO Aerospace; Jim is also a Principal at The PepperHill Group with practices in business strategy, information technology, and educational consulting. 

Jim’s career at AT&T spanned over 20 years of increasing responsibilities.  As an AVP with AT&T Government Markets he led the business development and introduction of complex technical solutions to government customers.  His earlier experiences at AT&T included leadership in R&D, product introductions, program management, network engineering, network operations, and personal support for critical customers and high-profile programs.  Jim initially joined Bell Laboratories where he was engaged in design, technical trials, and market trials of the first cellular phone system. 

AT PSINet Jim was the officer level executive responsible for global network operations, systems administration, and network engineering.  As Vice President - Global Network Operations he had direct reporting teams in the US, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and the Far East. 

At Convergent Media Systems Jim was President, Broadband Networks Group.  He was responsible for the development of program plans for the deployment of a national broadband network. 

Jim was EVP and CIO at NationsRent.  He was one of 5 key officer level executives responsible for business development strategy and execution.  He was also responsible for all Information Technology Programs; computing systems; applications; servers; terminal equipment; network infrastructure; operations support; and telecommunications.  NationsRent was acquired for $270M and sold for $1.1B after three years of improving operations and profitability. 

Jim has two Bachelor Degrees; B.A. Mathematics from Saint Vincent College and B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State.  In addition he has two Masters Degrees; M.S in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Columbia University and M.S. in Advanced Business Management from Pace University.  His executive education includes programs at Indiana University and Yale University.  He is also a member of a number of Executive Steering Committees and Advisory Boards for CIO and COO Councils and universities.