Pat Cassella

About Pat Cassella

Chief executive officer with 35 years of engineering, marketing, sales and product development expertise. Uniquely versed in all aspects of the business life cycle across startup and growth-stage operations. Proven track record for strategic planning, demand creation, digital marketing, product development, SaaS/VaaS, visual communications, channels, partnerships, engineering and product management. Seasoned leader who thrives on challenges, values customer relationships and has consistently spearheaded leading edge products and solutions from conception to customer.Current: Executive Director of the US Distance Learning Association, a 501c-3 non-profit that develops educators for the remote learner market. I\'m also a sales and marketing advisor for several EdTech companies with voice, video and data communications offerings. Lifelong advocate for distance and digital learning across K-20 and secondary markets who has secured more than $100M in Federal funds for hundreds of schools and institutions as a rural educational grant writing expert.Prior: Demand generation expert who leveraged Aaron Ross techniques for spear, net and seed campaigns across the video SaaS market to build brand recognition and thought leadership for a national sales team widely recognized as trusted industry advisors. Drove focused vertical growth strategy resulting in recognition as one of the top 50 VARs in the country. Introduced road map stabilization that reduced the product development cycle, earned trust within the customer base and secured millions in new contracts.Historical: Recruitment and leadership of software development teams specializing in embedded design of integrated access and Telecommunications platforms for voice, data and video distribution. Specialties include hands-on leadership, unified video communications, SaaS, VaaS, grant writing, brand management, demand creation, digital marketing, technical due diligence, interactive media, streaming video and IPTV architecture.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Usdla

   Jun 2022 — Present · US

   Overseeing the daily operation of the world\'s oldest Distance Learning association. The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is a 501c3 non-profit that provides industry education, certifications, public policy guidance and expert consultation within the digital/distance learning landscape.

Education

• University of Bridgeport

  BSEE, Electrical and Electronics Engineering

  1987 — 1991

• University of New Haven

  MSCS, Computer engineering/architecture

  1991 — 1994

• CT State Norwalk

  ASEE, Digital Systems

  1985 — 1987

Skills

• Strategy
• Saas
• Streaming Media
• Unified Communications
• Competitive Analysis
• Start-Ups
• Software Development
• Digital Signage
• Integration
• Program Management
• Netsuite
• Enterprise Software
• Interactive Media
• Brand Management
• Product Management
• Telecommunications
• Product Development
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Internet Protocol (Ip)
• Strategic Partnerships
• Management
• Direct Sales
• Business Modeling
• Networking
• Telepresence
• Polycom Video Conferencing
• Salesforce.com
• Professional Services
• Pricing Strategy
• Lifesize Video Conferencing
• Voip
• Product Marketing
• Sales
• Video Conferencing
• Solution Selling
• Iptv
• Voice Over Ip (Voip)
• Cloud Computing
• Forecasting
• Ip