OUR TEAM
Wade Lescord - Co-Founder , CEO Wade Lescord is a dynamic executive with over 25 years of leadership experience, including a distinguished tenure as a US Marine Corps veteran, where he honed his skills in strategic operations and team development. Throughout his career, Wade has consistently delivered results in sales growth, market expansion, and organizational leadership. He has a proven track record of elevating revenues and market share by building and managing high-performing sales teams, fostering innovation, and ensuring customer satisfaction across a variety of industries. His expertise spans complex operational management, performance optimization, and strategic market penetration, positioning him as a visionary leader capable of driving sustained growth.Throughout his career, Wade has held key leadership roles at organizations such as Vexus Fiber and WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone, where he demonstrated a strong ability to build customer-centric sales teams, mentor leaders, and exceed sales and revenue targets. At Vexus, he played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s fiber optic network, while at WOW!, he developed strategies that aligned customer-focused solutions with business goals. Wade’s expertise in sales, operations, and customer engagement, along with his commitment to continuous improvement, makes him an asset to any organization. His leadership continues to drive success and foster positive relationships with customers and teams alike.

Paul Spies - Co-Founder, COO/CMO Paul boasts over 35 years of executive, managerial, and supervisory experience within production, manufacturing, and distribution, recently served as Vice President at Curd Enterprises in Mount Pleasant, SC. He is a distinguished senior member of the Society of Plastic Engineers, actively contributing to architectural review boards. Paul's involvement in the Low Country Manufacturers Council underscores his commitment to industry leadership. His expertise extends to serving as an expert witness for plastic parts and resin, highlighting his authority in the field. Paul an innovative thinker and holds several patents. Paul's extensive industry knowledge and leadership roles position him as a valuable asset to BedLock Cargo Solutions Inc., bringing invaluable insights and strategic guidance to drive operational excellence and market growth.
Board Members
Brad Cheedle Brad is an accomplished C-suite executive with over 35 years of experience leading strategy, corporate finance, M&A, operations, sales, marketing, and fundraising for venture-backed technology companies. He has deep expertise in technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, data centers, broadband, and IT sectors, with a proven track record of accelerating revenue growth and building high-performing teams. Brad has successfully led organizations through all business phases, including formation, fundraising, growth, M&A, and exit activities, navigating both rapid growth and challenging times. As the CEO and Founder of Otava (2015–2022), Brad established and grew the company into a top cloud and cybersecurity services provider, raising over $180M in financing and completing three acquisitions. He oversaw global operations, including in North/South America, Europe, and Australia, and played a pivotal role in transforming Otava's culture, earning industry recognition, including a top 10 spot in the Forrester Wave report. Prior to Otava, Brad held senior roles at WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone, Zayo Group, and Level3 Communications, where he led M&A activities and capital raises, acquiring and integrating nearly 50 companies while driving strong revenue growth.Brad also serves on multiple boards, including Solidify, Cii Systems, and Channel Rocket, and has been an advisory board member at the University of Northern Colorado's Monfort College of Business for over 15 years, helping foster entrepreneurship.
Mitch Smith Mitch is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and business strategist with over three decades of experience in launching, growing, and successfully exiting tech companies. Since 1993, he has founded four tech companies, successfully exiting three, and launched a consulting firm. Currently, Mitch provides mentoring, non-dilutive funds, and venture investment to startup companies in South Carolina, focusing on helping emerging businesses thrive. His extensive background in executive management, investment banking, and business development has positioned him as a trusted mentor and resource for entrepreneurs seeking guidance and funding.A 1990 graduate of The Citadel with a degree in business focused on accounting and finance, Mitch’s professional journey is complemented by his service as a U.S. Army National Guard veteran. He further honed his leadership and strategic skills through certifications as a Lean Professional and in Design Thinking by IDEO. Mitch’s career spans multiple roles, including Senior Investment Manager at the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) and Investment Advisor at Dean Witter Reynolds (now Morgan Stanley). His expertise in mergers and acquisitions, relationship building, and strategic communication has been instrumental in driving business growth across various sectors.Mitch’s entrepreneurial ventures include founding and leading companies such as Rootloud, a consulting firm where he serves as Senior Consultant, and Dew Learning, where he is the Founder and Lead Designer overseeing global strategy. He also served as Founder and Senior Vice President of Sales at Pinnacle East, Inc., and as Mergers and Acquisitions Director at CeleXx Corp. Additionally, Mitch is the author of JUNK and a Colson Fellow, reflecting his commitment to both personal and professional growth. His ability to combine strategic vision, operational expertise, and investment acumen has made him a sought-after figure in the business and startup communities.
Steve Brown Steve is a highly accomplished executive with a 28-year track record of driving results, increasing revenue, and revitalizing underperforming teams. With a focus on the technology and telecommunications sectors, he has successfully developed and scaled organizations within startup environments. Steve’s leadership style combines a visionary approach to industry trends with a customer-centric focus, driving revenue generation, brand loyalty, and low churn rates.A key area of Steve’s expertise lies in building and leading sales and sales support organizations. His approach to sales processes and customer satisfaction has consistently produced year-over-year growth with multiple organizations. In addition to his work in sales and revenue generation, Steve served as the Chief Operating Officer of Telescope Inc., a leading interactive media company. There, he managed day-to-day operations, including finance, legal, and human resources, while cultivating strategic partnerships with major broadcast networks like Fox and NBC Universal. Under his leadership, Telescope became the exclusive voting platform for American Idol, using SMS and IVR technologies to engage millions of viewers.Steve’s diverse experience in leadership, sales growth, and operational management positions him as a highly effective executive capable of navigating complex business challenges and delivering sustained growth.