As the Chief Executive Officer of Global Connect Communications (GCC), Jake McCorkle has spearheaded a transformative journey for the company through his strategic management and visionary direction. With 24 years of extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, McCorkle is an accomplished senior executive, proficient in business operations, management, and finance.
McCorkle’s expertise extends beyond the traditional realms of telecommunications. He is widely recognized for his extensive work in blockchain technology, high-density power utilization, and the development of hyper-scaler AI data centers, areas that have become increasingly relevant in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. He is also known for embracing innovation in emerging technologies which has allowed him to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry.
Under McCorkle’s leadership, GCC has undergone a remarkable transformation, adapting to the ever-changing market dynamics, embracing cutting-edge technologies, and pivoting towards the renewable energy sector, and exotic power technologies. His strategic acumen and forward-thinking approach have enabled the company to stay ahead of the curve, positioning GCC as a leading player in the global telecommunications arena.
With a deep understanding of the industry’s complexities and a keen eye for emerging trends, McCorkle has successfully navigated GCC through challenging times, capitalizing on opportunities and mitigating risks. His ability to foster a culture of innovation and inspire his team has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and securing its position as a prominent force in the telecommunications sector.
Jake McCorkle has a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Olivet University, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Indiana University, Bloomington in French literature, and language. Jake believes that you must always be learning, creating, and adapting if you want to stay ahead of the competition and be a better person.
To maintain his status as an industry leader and fortify his professional career, Mr. McCorkle has continued his professional certification from he following leading universities: Executive Management & Global Leadership from Thunderbird University, IT Assurance & Security from Villanova University, and Cybersecurity & IoT from MIT.
Marc Genin is the Chief Operating Officer of Global Connect Communications, where he is responsible for overseeing and optimizing the company’s operations across all business units, regions, and functional areas. This encompassing role includes managing the supply chain, logistics, network operations, customer service, and other operational processes. Genin is also tasked with integrating operations, systems, and processes to achieve operational efficiencies and synergies.
Notably, Genin oversees GCC’s technology infrastructure, including networks, data centers, and IT systems, ensuring their reliability, scalability, and alignment with business needs. He plays an instrumental role in developing GCC’s Ghost Network and omnipresent multicarrier Ghost SIMS, which are utilized in the company’s live streaming and television production division.
With an impressive 37 years of experience in the realms of Film, Television, and Telecommunications, Marc Genin is an Academy Award-winning television executive. His expertise primarily revolves around live and as-live broadcasts and streaming media. For 28 of those 35 years, Genin has held Senior Executive roles, managing multimillion-dollar profit and loss responsibilities focused on Film and Television Production, Telecommunications, and associated technologies. He currently serves as a Senior Consultant to several respected Content Distributors, Venues, and Production Companies worldwide.
Genin’s “field experience” is extensive, encompassing the planning and implementation of major live events in sports and music, such as the Olympics, Soccer World Cups, and performances by A-List musical acts. Additionally, he has worked on episodic television (both scripted and unscripted) and long-form production. His experience in manufacturing was primarily focused on mobile wireless technologies, particularly the global rollout of COFDM-based wireless transmission.
Possessing a thorough and unique understanding of every aspect of the Film and Television industry (both creative & technical) and manufacturing (from concept to product launch), Genin has garnered multiple awards with the companies he has led and has worked across the globe, building a reputation as a media industry innovator and enthusiast. He currently sits on the advisory boards of several industry organizations.
Notably, Genin is a fluent French speaker, adding to his multifaceted skillset and global expertise.
Bryan is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in the real estate and credit risk industry, currently serving as the Chief Compliance Officer at Global Connect Communications. With a robust background in credit risk policies, compliance, and legal approval, Bryan excels in navigating the complexities of financial risk management and finance to benefit his clients.
At Global Connect Communications, Bryan manages global power infrastructure and procurement, leading a team of experts dedicated to optimizing the energy procurement process for crypto mining clients. His team focuses on sourcing the cleanest and most cost-effective green power options, fostering a competitive and transparent market, and ensuring maximum value and quality for customers. Bryan’s expertise in loan structuring and financial risk management has been instrumental in providing reliable and sustainable solutions to the crypto mining sector.
In his role as Chief Compliance Officer, Bryan designs and implements comprehensive compliance programs, policies, and procedures to ensure that the organization operates within legal and regulatory requirements. He diligently monitors and audits the organization’s activities to identify potential compliance risks and issues. This includes conducting internal audits, reviewing business processes, and assessing the effectiveness of the compliance program.
Bryan’s innovative approach and commitment to efficiency have led to the successful development of over 350MW of crypto mining and data center facilities. His passion for bringing cutting-edge solutions to the crypto mining community drives his work, positioning Global Connect Communications at the forefront of the industry.
Cimagaroon “Cim” Howell is the Executive Vice President of Caribbean Development and Latin America for Global Connect Communications and is the CEO of GCC Power X, a division of Global Connect Communications.
Cim is responsible for overseeing and managing GCC Power X’s 26-country and island territory subsea fiber connectivity and power infrastructure build project. Standing on nearly two decades of experience, Cim has a history of navigating the complexities of environmental, public policy, resource management, and design challenges, to ensure public infrastructure projects are completed on time and within budgetary constraints. Following the devastating and historic 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria, Cim has dedicated his last six years to mapping climate and environmental risk in Puerto Rico and devising resilient solutions to transform critical infrastructure for Puerto Rico. Under his leadership, the GCC Power X project is poised to revolutionize service to the broader Caribbean region breaking a cycle of underinvestment to bring modern, climate-resilient infrastructure to millions of Caribbean residents. The project will implement regional renewable energy technologies and power generation hubs, as well as subsea power transmission connecting multiple islands for redundancy and resiliency, into the overall design.
Cimagaroon Howell is an executive and visionary leader with an unwavering drive for innovation. His expertise lies in pioneering innovative enterprise solutions, orchestrating large-scale infrastructure endeavors, transforming program execution methodologies, and significantly curbing administrative expenditures.
As an operational leader, Cim is adept at steering multi billion-dollar grant programs or orchestrating large-scale infrastructure endeavors, Cim’s leadership prowess and operational expertise have proven instrumental in achieving impactful outcomes.
Moreover, Cim is driving innovation in new wastewater-to-water technologies and eco-conscious agricultural infrastructure, which are woven into the 26-country and island territory future buildout. This comprehensive approach aims to address not only connectivity and power needs but also sustainability and environmental considerations.
Jerry A. Sorrentino is an esteemed telecommunications executive, serving as the Executive Vice President of Global Field Services at Global Connect Communications (GCC). In this pivotal role, he spearheads the deployment, maintenance, and optimization of the company’s network infrastructure worldwide. Sorrentino’s responsibilities encompass overseeing field operations and technicians, ensuring stringent quality assurance and regulatory compliance standards are met.
With a sharp focus on resource optimization and budgetary management, Sorrentino adeptly implements cutting-edge technologies while prioritizing customer satisfaction and fostering cross-departmental collaboration. His illustrious career spanning over two decades is marked by a proven track record of leading large-scale operations and construction projects with remarkable success.
Sorrentino’s expertise lies in his deep understanding of OSP/ISP installation, maintenance, and restoration across multiple states, skillfully managing extensive teams and navigating regional capital and operational expenditure budgets to drive project efficiency and profitability. Prior to his current position, he served as the Regional Vice President of Construction Operations at Verita Telecommunications Corporation, where he directed operations across four states, overseeing a substantial project budget and driving revenue growth while upholding stringent performance standards.
At CenturyLink (formerly Level 3 Communications), Sorrentino excelled as the Senior Manager of National Operations & OSP Construction, overseeing a multitude of projects across various markets with an unwavering commitment to timely completion and customer satisfaction. His background also includes distinguished leadership positions at AT&T and other prominent telecom firms.
Jerry Sorrentino is widely recognized for his strategic acumen, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to achieving business objectives, solidifying his reputation as a highly respected figure in the telecommunications industry.
Ken Thorpe is the Executive Vice President of Subsea Development and Operations globally for Global Connect Communications (GCC). He is responsible for overseeing and managing GCC’s subsea operations, including the development, installation, and maintenance of the company’s subsea infrastructure.
Thorpe plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and sustainable development and operation of GCC’s subsea assets. His role requires a deep understanding of subsea engineering principles, project management skills, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and stakeholder relationships.
Thorpe is a highly accomplished telecommunications executive with extensive experience in fiber network design, terrestrial and subsea telecom infrastructure, and leadership. As the Founder and CEO of VariNet Technologies Inc., he built a global telecom voice and data carrier, leveraging his expertise in behavioral management to foster strong relationships with vendors, customers, and colleagues.
During his tenure at VariNet Technologies, Thorpe’s leadership included creating a rapid response Satellite Earth Station installation team and developing a high-performance global wholesale voice and data network. His ability to innovate and execute complex projects has been instrumental in establishing VariNet as a key player in the telecom industry.
Before founding VariNet, Thorpe was the Executive Director of Carrier Services at Navigata Communications Inc/SaskTel, where he successfully re-established the wholesale carrier business, increasing annual revenue by $30 million. His role involved transitioning and managing wholesale interconnects from digital to IP formats, significantly enhancing global interconnection efficiency.
Thorpe’s career began at Bell Canada/BCE Nexxia, where he served as the Associate Director of Carrier Services for the Western USA and Canada. He played a pivotal role in establishing Bell Canada’s presence in the region, driving $350 million in new revenue, and developing key international relationships, including a significant partnership with China Telecom.
Thorpe holds a degree in LAN and WAN Design from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and has been an active member of several industry organizations, including the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and the Cascadia Innovation Corridor.
With a proven track record of exceeding sales goals, driving technological innovation, and building strategic partnerships, Ken Thorpe is a visionary leader in the telecommunications field, poised to lead GCC’s subsea development and operations to new heights.
John A. Clendenin is the Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for Global Connect Communications (GCC). He is responsible for managing and overseeing the organization’s relationships and interactions with government entities, agencies, and regulatory bodies globally. His primary responsibility is developing and implementing a comprehensive government relations strategy to advance GCC’s interests and objectives in the political and regulatory landscapes worldwide.
Clendenin spearheads the company’s advocacy and lobbying efforts by engaging with policymakers, legislators, and government officials to promote and influence policies, regulations, and legislation that impact GCC’s operations and the telecommunications industry as a whole. Through his extensive career in executive management and overall leadership of large groups, Clendenin has honed the skills and necessary capabilities in building coalitions and maintaining relationships with industry associations, trade groups, and other stakeholders to collaborate on shared policy objectives and amplify the organization’s voice.
Under Clendenin’s guidance, GCC’s government affairs team works diligently to ensure the company maintains compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards in its interactions with government entities and officials. His responsibilities also encompass monitoring and analyzing proposed and existing policies, regulations, and legislation that may affect the organization, and providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior leadership.
Clendenin’s role is pivotal in identifying and managing potential issues or controversies that may arise from government actions or public policy debates and developing appropriate response strategies to address them effectively. Additionally, he oversees GCC’s efforts in securing government contracts, grants, or other funding opportunities, ensuring compliance with procurement regulations.
With his extensive experience and leadership skills, John A. Clendenin plays a crucial role in ensuring GCC’s interests are represented and protected in the political and regulatory landscapes across the globe, working closely with senior leadership, legal counsel, and various departments to align the organization’s strategy with government policies and regulations.
John’s academic and professional background is distinguished. He was a senior faculty member at Harvard Business School and served on the National Research Council’s Committee on Supply Chain Integration. He is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at IE Business School in Madrid and a Leadership Tutor in the Health Sciences Programmes for Hibernia College in Ireland. His expertise spans multicultural leadership, quality, benchmarking, transportation, and logistics. His notable achievements include saving Xerox Corporation $700M and optimizing logistics for major companies such as Boeing, Raytheon, USAID, and Chevron.
A sixth-generation “Crucian” native of St. Croix, John has a 38-year career in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Field Grade Officer in Telecommunications Management. He holds graduate degrees in Psychology, Communications Engineering, and Business Administration. He has served in leadership roles, including chairing the New York Governor’s School and Business Alliance and the Judicial Advisory Council.
John is a member of MENSA and the New York Academy of Sciences and holds a United States Patent (US07155455). He has volunteered with EarthWatch and the Financial Services Volunteer Corps (FSVC). He has served on the boards of RedTech, Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism (CHANT), Society of Caribbean Artists (SOCA), St. Croix Marine Corps Association, USVI Public Services Commission, and the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN).