Kevin O’Neil
President

Kevin purchased Braxton Technologies in 2008 through his investment group, “The O’Neil Group.” Braxton is Kevin's cornerstone for new industry and future growth. Kevin is also an entrepreneur with diversified holdings including ownership interests in residential real estate development, multi-family residential management, residential construction, light commercial development and construction, graphics design, textiles, small business consulting and, most recently, software technology. Some of his accomplishments over the past 15 years include rehabilitation of value added multi-family dwellings for subsequent sale or addition to his personal property portfolio. Kevin uses this same model for rehabilitation of growth potential business concerns either rehabbing them for future sale, or additions to his personal portfolio. Kevin has begun to expand this model to include equity investing groups allowing large groups of personal investment opportunities. Prior to this, Kevin spent 20 years in the retail, commercial and residential textile business taking advantage of the housing boom in and around the Colorado area that occurred throughout the 1980s. Kevin is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a Bachelors Degree in Communications in addition to holding a State of Colorado Realtors license and a B1 commercial builder’s license.

Frank Backes
Chief Executive Officer

As CEO, Frank has been instrumental in delivering more than 100 percent revenue growth in two years while maintaining profitability percentages. During this time of extreme growth, Braxton has expanded its workforce by 400 percent. In addition to general CEO duties, Frank is responsible for sales, marketing, and business infrastructure. Prior to joining Braxton Technologies, Frank was the President and CTO of a software development and products company specializing in Knowledge Management and Collaborative Business Products. Frank has over 24 years project management, operations management, systems development and deployment experience. He has extensive experience with mergers, acquisitions, and SEC compliance. As the CFO for a publically traded company, Frank was responsible for all SEC documentation, including 10Ks, 8Ks, annual reports, and shareholder meetings. Frank started his career working for Science Applications International Corporation (1982) designing Command and Control systems for the Department of Defense. Franks' accomplishments in the field of Command and Control systems include: research and successful development of client-server based systems in 1987, dynamic user interface designs in 1988 using Ada and PHIGS, implementing 3D graphics for display of command center information in 1989, trained and worked in combat position as an orbital analyst in the Space Surveillance Center at NORAD and designed and implemented several military command centers pushing the development of high availability techniques. In addition to his work in the computer industry, Frank has coached Odyssey of the Mind and Competitive Volleyball. One exciting and innovative project was coordination, management and teaching students to interact, over the Internet, with the Mars Land Rover developed by Jet Propulsion Lab for NASA. Frank holds a Bachelors Degree in Semiconductor Physics with minors in Computer Hardware Engineering, and Communications/Marketing from the University of California at San Diego.

Ken O'Neil
Chief Operating Officer

Ken currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Braxton Technologies, LLC. In this position Ken retains operations oversight for Braxton’s defense and commercial contracts, most recently establishing an operations base for Braxton’s efforts on the Global Positioning System Operation Control Segment Contract wherein Braxton provides ground segment and simulation software products. Prior to his tenure with Braxton Technologies, Ken spent 22 years with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) in various Program Management and Operations Positions. He spent eight years as the Deputy of Operations and Maintenance for the Integrated Space Command and Control Contract with responsibility for 250 operations personnel in five locations across the United States including Cheyenne Mountain, Offutt and Vandenberg Air Force Bases. In addition to his operations responsibilities, Ken also served as the Program Manager for CSC directly responsible for 45 CSC personnel and all aspects of the CSC subcontract. Ken also spent five years as the Software Integration Manager on the Cheyenne Mountain Mission Software Support Contract responsible for 15 software integration personnel and their efforts on integrating and installing system and software upgrades to Space Defense, Missile Warning, Air Warning and other Cheyenne Mountain support systems. He also served as CSC’s program management interface to the prime contractor responsible for all aspects of the CSC Subcontract. Prior to this Ken spent nine years on CSC’s Consolidated Space Operations Contract at Schriever Air Force Base in various positions including project management, contracts administration, and software quality assurance. Ken holds Masters Degrees in Space Systems Management and Computer Resource Management from Webster University as well as Bachelors Degrees in Computer Science, Business Administration and Economics from Hastings College.

Bill Simpson
Chief Technical Officer

Prior to co-founding Braxton Technologies, Bill managed several software development efforts for Ford Aerospace under contract to the U.S. Air Force. He is an experienced software developer and has written and sold a number of computer programs to the U.S. Air Force and commercial companies. His accomplishments include writing sophisticated scheduling and switching software with the type of advanced MMI/HMI techniques, which have been marketed by Braxton. He holds a patent on the ASPECT2T formatter, which is currently used in various Government ARTS (Automated Remote Tracking Stations) around the U.S. Bill has a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from Stanford University and he also performed post-graduate work at Stanford.

Maury Keller
Chief Financial Officer

Maury has over 15 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant. Maury earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Maury was a managing shareholder of Williams, Kopenhafer and Keller, P.C. Maury's primary areas of expertise include business consulting, financial statement preparation and corporate/partnership tax advisory services. Maury also has business development, cash flow management, audit, tax planning and preparation, and litigation support experience. He also completed the AICPA’s business valuation series of courses.

Rob Johnston
VP of Engineering

As Vice President of Engineering, Rob is responsible for the strategic direction and development of Braxton’s Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) product, ACE Premier™. Rob joined Braxton in late 2006 as the Production Manager. In this position, he was responsible for project specification, development oversight and product delivery. Previously, Rob was the Vice President of Business Development for a startup company, Japan Communications Inc. Rob was responsible for developing relationships with strategic technology partners, overseeing the product integration efforts and costs, and supporting the market rollout of the resulting product. Before being promoted to this position, Rob was the Sr. Database Developer for Japan Communications Inc.’s wireless telecommunications billing system. Prior to his tenure there, Rob was a Software Consultant for Digital Equipment Corporation. In this role, he was responsible for providing technical support to large corporate customers on Department of Defense, NASA, and commercial contracts. Rob specialized in resolving Program critical issues with the compiler, operating system internals and system architecture. Rob graduated from DeVry University with a Bachelors Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology.

Suzanne Cechini
Finance Manager

Suzanne has been in the accounting industry for over 15 years, serving the financial and HR needs of area business owners. For 11 years of her career, Suzanne owned her own company specializing in individual tax reporting and financial services for a wide range of accounts including commercial businesses, retail operations, graphic design firms, construction companies, property management companies, automotive service companies, investment firms, livestock owners, and gas & oil companies. In addition to this experience, she served as operations manager for an area business that included five interwoven industry corporations, one of which had an international affairs and sales focus. Suzanne earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, Colorado.

Loraine Simpson
Finance Advisor

As Finance Advisor for Braxton, Loraine manages all financial aspects of the company to include: pricing, quoting, and contract negotiations with both government and commercial suppliers. Her expertise in business decision-making has kept the company well funded and operational since 1994. Loraine has earned a B.A. in Mathematical Sciences with an emphasis in Computer Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Loraine has over 20 years of experience specializing in satellite support operations. She worked for Lockheed as a Satellite Operations Engineer providing system integration and on-orbit contact for satellite support. At Lockheed, she expanded her role as a database specialist by designing and creating user-friendly displays for real-time satellite operations. Later, Loraine became a Program Manager involving the integration of satellite group system software. As Program Manager she managed a team of software test engineers, designed test scenarios, and provided reports and daily status to government personnel.

Loraine received the “Unsung Hero” Award for software development and support on the STS41 Shuttle Mission.

Julie Willis
Marketing Director

Julie heads Braxton’s marketing and business development team, and is delighted to discuss how Braxton can be part of your success. Prior to joining Braxton Technologies, Julie spent 17 years with Lockheed Martin in various systems engineering, project leadership, control account management and proposal management positions, both in-plant and at customer/user locations. Julie’s early career was with the U.S. Army, first in military service and, later, as a civilian electronics engineer and team lead. Julie holds a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from San Jose State University. Julie has an active volunteer life in her off-duty hours.

Kevin Estrem
Senior Business Developer

Mr. Kevin Estrem is the Senior Business Developer for Braxton Technologies. He represents the company to Air Force Space Command, North American Aerospace Defense Command, US Northern Command, US Strategic Command, Army Strategic Command, the Space and Missile Defense Command, Missile Defense Agency, and the Joint National Integration Center. He has specific responsibility for identifying military customer requirements for defense and space systems and coordinating Braxton response in the form of strategic planning and contract pursuits. Kevin is currently involved with Braxton activities related to space engineering, software development, SETA/A&AS support, on multiple contract opportunities.

Mr. Estrem came to Braxton after serving 5 years in a large business defense contracting company and a 32-year career in the United States Air Force, retiring as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for NORAD/US Northern Command. As the Senior Principle for Business Development he was instrumental in many contract pursuits that resulted in continuous growth for two divisions of the corporation. In the Air Force as the Commands Senior Enlisted Leader, he ensured the commander's policies and concerns were known and understood throughout the command. He managed and provided direction for subordinate Senior Enlisted Leaders of all services around the world. Responsibilities included supervising, mentoring and representing the enlisted corps for over 10 years at three wings, a numbered Air Force, two major commands, two unified commands, and a bi-national command.

He is married to Debbie Estrem who is also a part of Braxton Technologies specializing in Industrial and Physical Security, and Marketing Management.

Mr. Estrem holds Degrees in Business Management and in Transportation Management. He is currently the President of the Colorado Springs Rodeo Association (Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Days), Executive Vice President of the Air Force Association, Lance P. Sijan Chapter, Committee member and former 2 year Co-Chairman of the Annual Space Warfare Symposium, and Security Advisor for the National Homeland Defense Symposium and SPACECOMM 2009 symposium. He also serves on the Board of Directors for 5STAR Bank, the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Division, and the Veterans Day Parade. He is also an active member of NDIA, AFCEA, AFSA, TREA, DAV, American Legion, and the VFW.

Debbie Estrem
Facility Security Officer

Ms. Debbie Estrem joined Braxton in 2008 as the Facility Security Officer and also assists in branding and marketing under the Business Development area. Prior to Braxton, Debbie was Security Administrator at CSC and Facility Security Officer at DynCorp. Debbie and her husband, Kevin, moved to Colorado Springs in 2000 while Kevin was stationed in the Air Force.

Debbie currently serves as the Vice President of the Community Partner Program for the local Lance P. Sijan Chapter of the Air Force Association, as the Colorado State AFA secretary, and Colorado State Vice President - Community Partner Program. She is on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Springs Veterans’ Day Parade and a Board Member for the Southeast Family Center/Armed Services YMCA. She also volunteers for many local events under AFA, AFCEA, NDIA, the National Homeland Defense Foundation, and the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

Debbie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- Technical Studies and an Associate of Applied Science in Office Management.