About TBI

WHAT IS A MASTER AGENT?

A master agent is a provider of telecommunication services on behalf of service carriers.  As a master agent, TBI (Telecom Brokerage, Inc.) manages partners, or subagents, who sell our carrier’s products.  We provide our partners with valuable resources such as back-office support, experienced consultation and product training.

We have preferred relationships with over 50 of the industry’s best network providers, allowing us to provide a truly consultative sales experience for our partners and their clients.

TBI'S EXECUTIVE TEAM

Geoff Shepstone, President

Geoff Shepstone started his professional career in 1983 with Heritage Communications while earning a BBS in Marketing from Iowa State University. Upon graduation in 1986 Shepstone started with Harris Lanier selling business phone systems. Looking to expand his telecom experience beyond hardware Shepstone started with MCI in 1988 as a Major Account Executive. In the four plus years with MCI Shepstone was awarded numerous sales performance awards.

In 1991, Shepstone joined Concord Network Services (sold to Midcom) as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In 1993 Shepstone began a management position in the Alternate Channel Division of LCI International (Sold to Qwest). In 1999, Shepstone joined Telecom Brokerage Inc. (TBI) as President. Shepstone's leadership has been instrumental in building TBI to become one of the country’s largest Master Agencies.

Ken Mercer, Senior Vice President

Ken Mercer joined TBI in 2003, and focused on CLEC and local service support for TBI’s agents.  In 2004, Mr. Mercer was appointed Sr. Vice President of TBI. Priding himself on accountability and responsiveness, Mr. Mercer believes that in a time when other master agents hide behind their online tools, TBI will always be there to assist in quoting, contract generation, and pre-sales project management.  A real person will do whatever it takes to quote quickly, get the right paperwork together for you, and ensure the carrier is accurate in the installation process.

Mercer's focus is on strategic sales and partners of a larger and more technological nature.

Mike Saxby, Chief Strategy Officer

Mike Saxby joined TBI as the Chief Strategy Officer in September 2009, and is responsible for business development, strategy, process improvements and marketing initiatives. He has recently been named head of TBI’s Channel Sales Management group, which consists of four National Channel Managers and four Inside Channel Managers.

Before coming to TBI, he worked for Virgo Publishing, LLC a business-to-business media company. During Mike’s 14 years at Virgo he served many roles including the group publisher of the service provider and channel segments of the Telecom Division as well as the Lifestyle and Light Industrial groups. Mike was responsible for overseeing the strategy for the division’s print, digital and event products, which include PHONE+, VON/Xchange and Billing & OSS World (B/OSS) brands and the Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Billing & OSS World Conference & Expo.

Geoff Yearck, Vice President of Operations

Geoff Yearack started with TBI in 2011 as the Director of Wireless. His ability to get wireless projects up and running has enabled partners to take the best advantage of adding wireless technology to their portfolios. Starting this year, Yearack has taken on new role as VP of Operations. In this role Yearack will oversee TBI’s vendor specialist group, the wireless department, PartneriQ (TBI’s customer management tool), human resources, and eventually the accounts department. In addition, Yearack will use his past experience managing hundreds of people to implement targeted leadership training for TBI staff.

Prior to joining TBI, Yearack was a founding partner at Voda Communications and served as the Director of Operations at Strategic Telecom Solutions, one of Sprint’s largest partners nationwide. In his tenure there he worked on projects for Fortune 500 companies. Yearack’s experience handling these large clients has seasoned him to be an expert with these types of relationships.

TBI'S STAFF AND OFFICES

Our back office consists of many former carrier employees with expertise in engineering, quoting, project management and carrier escalations. In addition, TBI employs experienced personnel in Accounts, Human Resources, and Marketing. 

TBI's corporate office is located in Chicago, Illinois. We also have a satellite office in Wisconsin, as well as National Channel Managers based in California and Colorado.

With telecom expertise as our base and a dedicated team of professionals, TBI is able to support our agents through the unparalleled network we have built.

Want to learn more?  Feel free to contact us anytime.