Our Team — Great Minds, Elevated Solutions

The Sand Cherry senior team are experts in the broadband, telecommunications and media industries. Sand Cherry Associates has designed innovative business strategies, successfully launched high-profile products and programs, and implemented best-in-class operational solutions around the globe. Our senior team, along with the expertise of every one of our associates, allows us to create custom, market-ready solutions for every client.

Duane Dick

Prior to becoming a Senior Partner at Sand Cherry Associates, Duane was the Executive Director for the internal strategic consulting group (Market Strategy Development) for both AT&T Broadband and MediaOne Group, where he was responsible for developing the market and business strategies for domestic and international ventures in video, broadband telephony, and high-speed internet access. Most recently, Duane has led Sand Cherry project teams to develop and launch DVR/HDDVR services for a number of U.S. operators, launch alternative sales and distribution channels to drive subscriber growth in the Hispanic market, design retention and save strategies to reduce video customer disconnects, and develop competitive market strategies for high-speed internet service.

In addition, Duane directs Sand Cherry efforts with the CTAM Telephony Committee to help the industry develop more effective marketing and sales tactics for its telephony products. Duane was also a 2004 recipient of the Cable & Telecommunications Association of Marketing (CTAM) industry award for leading several successful cross-industry retail initiatives. Additionally, he has managed and directed teams assisting broadband companies in Europe and Asia. Duane received his MBA from the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, and an MA in International Relations from the US Naval Postgraduate School. Duane is conversant in Japanese and is an avid skier and golfer.

Robert Wharton

Robert is a Sr. Partner at Sand Cherry Associates, with over 15 years of marketing, sales and competitive strategy experience spanning both the wireless and broadband industries. At Sand Cherry, Robert has led numerous client engagements for both broadband distribution and content providers in North America and Europe to create and implement competitive evaluation and response strategies, design acquisition and retention strategies, develop new sales channels and enhance the capabilities of existing channels, and design enhanced tactics and processes to improve customer lifetime management processes. He also directs Sand Cherry's efforts on a number of industry-wide initiatives to improve marketing tactics and operational processes. Robert was a 2004 recipient of the TAMI CTAM cable industry award for leading several successful cross-industry initiatives.

Prior to co-founding Sand Cherry Associates, Robert was Director of Strategy for the internal strategic consulting groups of both AT&T Broadband and MediaOne Group, where he was responsible for developing acquisition management, sales channel and retention strategies. He has also worked as a consultant to the wireless industry and served in several senior Committee professional staff roles for the U.S. House of Representatives. He received his MBA from the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, and his MA in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University (SAIS). Robert is an active mountain biker and runner and an accomplished alpine climber who has reached many notable summits around the globe.

Audley Webster

Audley has over twenty years of experience as a board member, senior executive and consultant to the telecommunications, cable TV, software, and information technology industries. He served as Executive Vice President of Market Development for the software implementation subsidiary of a major information technology company. As Vice President of Strategy for a major diversified telecommunications and cable TV company, he helped forge the restructuring of the company's portfolio of businesses and its positioning as a major cable TV player.

As Vice President of Shared Services for a global communications concern, he implemented efficient operating units providing strategic, IT, and property services. Audley was a Principal for Booz Allen & Hamilton, where he provided business and technology advisory services to global telecommunications and information industry companies. He has extensive experience in strategy development and implementation, new product/business development, marketing, technology management, and change management. Audley graduated from Purdue University and the Graduate Business School at Harvard University. He serves as a Director and Advisor to Sand Cherry. Audley is originally from Panama and is a dedicated student of golf.

Dan Hillen

Dan is a Partner at Sand Cherry Associates with nearly 20 years of experience managing and developing multiple sales channels for leading broadband and wireless companies both within the US and abroad. Prior to joining Sand Cherry, Dan was the Vice President for Alternative Sales Channels at Qwest Communications, and prior to that, Vice President of Sales & Distribution for AT&T Broadband and MediaOne Group, General Manager of Sales & Distribution for One2One Wireless in the UK, and Branch Manager for US WEST Cellular. He has successfully developed, launched and managed numerous multi-channel sales and distribution programs for operators across both the cable and wireless industries.

Dan is well known as a pioneer of some of the earliest retail and non-traditional channel initiatives for the broadband industry. At Sand Cherry, Dan has led in the development of alternative sales channels for operators such as retail and e-tail channels, dealer networks, two-tier distribution programs, MDU and Commercial sales programs, and field tech sales. Dan also represents Sand Cherry Associates on the cable industry CTAM Sales Committee.

John Calhoon

John has over 10 years of experience in the cable industry, spanning strategic marketing, product development and management, field and technical operations, and business development. At Sand Cherry, John has led numerous strategic and operational projects for major cable operators and cable industry service providers. His work for the cable industry has included operational leadership roles to develop and deploy field tech sales programs, retail sales channel offerings for high-speed internet, strategic acquisition analyses and wireless product solutions for broadband providers. Most recently, John has been leading projects to develop and manage a set of market trials for digital video self-install services and design and roll-out a series of field operations and install efficiency initiatives for a leading broadband provider.

Prior to his work with Sand Cherry Associates, John was Executive Director of Product Marketing for InflowGroup, a Data Center and Systems Management Company. John also was a Market Strategy Manager for the internal strategic consulting group (Market Strategy Development) for both MediaOne and AT&T Broadband where he was responsible for projects including market opportunity analyses, sales channel development, product positioning and new product development across the MSO portfolio. John also has been Vice President of Sales and Business Development for a start-up media services company. John received his MBA from Stanford University and his B.A. in Economics and Political Science from The Colorado College.

Lisa Boland

Lisa is senior operations executive with over 20 years of cable industry operations, sales and marketing, and general management experience. Most recently at Sand Cherry, Lisa has been leading projects to develop enhanced customer care and technical support capabilities and organizational structures for commercial services, implement a series of call center initiatives to improve sales productivity, roll-out a set of field operations and install efficiency initiatives, and lead a call center re-organization, integration and consolidation project for a leading U.S. cable operator.

Prior to joining Sand Cherry, Lisa was a Market Vice President and Vice President for Sales and Customer Service for MediaOne and AT&T Broadband, where she had overall operations responsibility for 1.1 million subscriber region with $900M in revenue and management responsibility for over 1,700 employees in a multi-state area. In addition, she has managed the launch of a new 100 employee sales department, led numerous call center reorganizations and consolidations, and managed operations for a 300-seat call center, 14 payment centers, and regional collection activities. Lisa holds a BA in Telecommunications from Michigan State University.