MANAGEMENT BIOS
Jeff Hinkle, Principal, President
Jeff is the founder of GNAX, and acquired NetDepot in 2001. Under his direction, the company has grown into one of the largest providers of on-demand IT Infrastructure in the world. Currently, GNAX has over 2000 servers under direct ownership, and another 4000 in which the company provides co-location and network services.
Prior to founding GNAX, Jeff built the network consulting practice for Sun Data (later known as SolarCom/Presdio Solutions). Jeff developed the practice and helped the company obtain Gold partner status with Cisco Systems. He oversaw all areas of design and delivery of advance networks to corporations, mainly focused on the AS 400 / Sun and HP 900 mid-range systems. Today the group he built has grown into the largest Cisco integrator in the Southeastern United States.
Before Sun Data, Jeff led the networking solutions group as the Director of Network Solutions for Universal Data Consultants / GE Capital ITS. Focused on designing and implementing networks for their clients, he was able to gain a broad understanding of delivering networks in a diverse operating environment and interfacing them with all the major corporate systems.
Prior to UDC, Jeff moved to BellSouth Network Solutions (ATT) in the early days of the internet and focused on delivering IP enabled networks to BellSouth clients. Here he received in depth training in advanced networking and IP technologies.
He began his career in the IT department of Liquid Air, the world's largest industrial gas company. He installed and supported Unix point-of-sale systems and coded database applications.
Jeff has a BS BA in Operations Management from Auburn University and an MBA from St. Marys College of California. He also has past training and certifications in: Cisco networking – all areas / Security – Raptor and Checkpoint / Microsoft / Data center operations – power systems – cooling systems.
Harry W. Hinkle, Principal, CEO
Harry joined our company in 2002 and his primary duties are executive overview, strategic direction and financial affairs. He is also heavily involved in facilities design and installation.
Prior to joining our company, Harry served as President of the Specialty Products Group of Trinity Industries, a $3 Billion public company, from 1994 to 2000. He was directly responsible for all operations in the Barge, Petrochemical, Fittings/Flanges, and specialty items divisions. The divisions averaged $450 million in revenue during his tenure.
Harry also served as the President of US Operations for AirLiquide of Paris, France in their Merchant Gases Division from 1973-1993. He was responsible for all liquid, small onsite and cylinder business in the US, with annual revenue of $500 million and oversaw 3400 employees.
Harry holds Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting from Georgia State University. He also studied engineering at Auburn University and did foreign study in Advanced Marketing Strategies at INSEAD in Fountainbleu, France.
Erik Blumenau, Controller
Erik joined our company in 2003 and is responsible for the financial, operational, administrative and human resource departments for the companies. Under Erik's guidance, GNAX has grown from a few-person operation to a company not just employing world-class individuals and a world-class infrastructure, but also world-class benefits.
Prior to joining GNAX, Erik worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for Interland, reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer. He is no stranger to managing rapid growth, having been involved with Interland pre IPO, as a public company and through many acquisitions.
Erik has a Bachelors of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University in Finance/Real Estate.
Rodney Wentz, Director of Information Technology
Rodney is responsible for automating the internal systems and enhancing the customer portal to vastly improve the customer experience.
Prior to his employment with GNAX, Wentz worked as VP of Operations and was Co-Founder of Vertical Acuity. He built and deployed the production data center including the networking, automated server deployments and all business systems. He also held Vice President positions with Media Works, LIVEperson (formerly Proficient Systems) and Director positions with The Bisys Group and CBIZ. His experience includes SAS-70 Certifications and U.S. Federal compliances including Gramm-Leach Bliley (GLB), Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), The Patriot Act, and HIPPA.
Rodney holds Bachelors and Masters of Business Information Systems degrees from Kennesaw State University.
Chip Lawson, Director of Operations
Chip runs the day-to-day operations for our Data Center and Engineering group. Prior to joining us, Chip spent over 20 years with Emory University, His areas of responsibility included running the Data Center Operations, Mainframe systems support & Storage Management. Chip helped plan and design the layout of Emory's current Data Center, managed the moves of Emory University and Emory Healthcare into current facility, and architected and installed Emory's EMC disk storage infrastructure, Chip holds a Bachelor's degree from LaGrange College with a major in Computer Science and minor in Business Administration.