Planned transition sees Jason Jacobson take on CEO role; brother Brendan Jacobson to serve as President
Lexington, Ky. (January 31, 2017)—Jason Jacobson became CEO of NetGain Technologies and Brendan Jacobson ascended to President of the managed I.T. services company at the start of 2017. The brothers became the third generation to helm NetGain since Don Jacobson, their grandfather, founded the company in 1984. Don’s sons Mark Jacobson (former CEO) and Jim Jacobson (former COO) led NetGain’s transition from VAR (value-added reseller) to MSP (I.T. managed services provider). During the past decade, the second- and third-generation Jacobsons have worked together to position NetGain Technologies as a worldwide top-100 MSP by organic growth and strategic acquisitions of smaller MSPs in a large regional footprint that includes states throughout the Southeast and Midwest. Mark and Jim will continue to serve NetGain in an advisory capacity.
Jason Jacobson’s aspiration for NetGain’s future is not only about growth, but also cultural. He wants the company to be known as a “workplace of a lifetime, somewhere talented individuals come to join our team and never want to leave.” In his first address as CEO to the company’s assembled staff, Jason introduced “The NetGain Way,” a refreshed and expanded version of NetGain’s long-held core values. “We need to fight every day for what is right, and constantly pursue a better way. We need to have fun. We need to put family first. We need to focus on offering only services where we can be the very best. We need to be the workplace of a lifetime.”
The Jacobson brothers’ new roles reflect a shift in NetGain’s corporate leadership structure. Their father, Mark, served as CEO from 1992 to 2016. Jason and Brendan now handle the executive responsibilities previously overseen by Mark and Jim. As CEO, Jason’s focus is on leading the company’s Executive Leadership Team, developing the overall vision of the company, and making sure the company executes its vision each day. Brendan, as President, will focus on long-term strategy for the company, vendor and client relationships, and creating and implementing NetGain’s growth initiatives, including the NetGain Technologies Executive Workshop. Newly formalized in 2017, the Executive Workshop is an advisory and strategic consultation session with business leaders that helps to align their technological capabilities with their business practices.
“Jason and I are fortunate to share a similar vision for NetGain’s future,” Brendan said. “Our leadership styles and our business strengths complement each other. During the past several years, we’ve fine-tuned the roles and responsibilities that were needed once we took over day-to-day operations of NetGain Technologies. Now that the transfer of leadership is complete, we have well-defined goals and a team of experts who can help us achieve them. Our end goal is to create happy clients, number one; be a workplace of a lifetime; and become a top-10 managed I.T. services provider in the world.”
The NetGain offices have been a second home to Jason and Brendan Jacobson their entire lives. Both men began working full-time at the family company nearly a decade ago, and became part-owners in 2012. For the past five years, the second and third generation leaders instituted a gradual transition of leadership, culminating at the close of 2016. During that time, Jason and Brendan studied at the Goering Center’s Leadership Development Institute to ensure a smooth, well-planned succession.
“Jason and Brendan know NetGain Technologies from the ground up,” according to retired CEO Mark Jacobson. “As boys, they were here washing windows and carrying equipment for the engineers. As young men, they learned every aspect of the business through hands-on roles in sales and operations. The growth we have experienced since they started here full time 10 years ago is incredible. For the past several years, we’ve slowly transitioned to the third generation of leadership. I’m exceptionally proud of their leadership and hard work. We know they will continue to lead this company with great integrity as NetGain Technologies continues to innovate its managed I.T. service offerings.”
Jason Jacobson graduated with dual degrees in Management and Finance from the University of Kentucky, where he also studied international business and finance in London. His focus when he started working at NetGain in 2007 was mergers and acquisitions. As director of corporate development, he helped to spin off a non-core asset of the company’s medical billing unit; acquired four I.T. companies in other cities in the region; and opened an additional branch office in Chattanooga, Tenn., after a competing company failed there. Jason and wife Shanda have a one-year-old daughter, Aria. He has been a student ministry volunteer at Northeast Christian Church for several years, and enjoys golf, movies, and travel.
Brendan Jacobson earned recognition from MSPmentor on the industry organization’s list of the top 250 I.T. experts, executives, and entrepreneurs. His focus when he joined NetGain Technologies in 2007 was to position the B2B technology provider as the region’s leader in managed I.T. services. His efforts first earned NetGain a ranking on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America in 2013. As director of managed service sales from 2012 to 2016, he oversaw a near-tripling of the company’s core service revenue. He has worked closely with industry organizations in manufacturing, health care, and banking, and has been closely involved with state banking associations for several years. Brendan and wife Chelsea have an infant son, Walker. In addition to his leadership role at NetGain, Brendan operates a grain farm in Georgetown, Ky. He also enjoys golf, hunting, and fishing.
