Management Team

James Carlson

CEO & President
Mr. Carlson founded Carlson in 1999 and serves as president, CEO and chief engineer. He is a recognized designer and entrepreneur in developing, building and marketing fixed-wireless telecommunications systems for remote and rural users around the world. Mr. Carlson began building the industry's first products in 1986 at Carlson Electronics, and in 1990 he founded Carlson Communications, Inc. (CCI), a producer of both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint analog wireless telephone systems sold under the OptaPhone Systems brand name. In 1998, he sold his interest in CCI, which was acquired by Zhone Technologies, Inc. Mr. Carlson immediately started working with his design team on a new all-digital, fixed-wireless technology base from the ground up and, in March 1999, formed Carlson Wireless Technologies, Inc., now known simply as Carlson. Mr. Carlson has an established track record in wireless startups, including leading R & D to product development, significant growth and profitable sales.

Mindy Hiley

Director of Operations
Ms. Hiley joined Carlson in early 2010, bringing strengths in leadership and organization that quickly earned her promotion first to sales manager and then to director of operations in 2011. In addition to a decade of administrative and management experience, Ms. Hiley also brings to the company the values of business ethics and community involvement. Her interest in the fixed-wireless industry comes from a long-held interest in rural and off-the-grid connectivity. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communications Design and Media Arts from California State University, Chico.

Wallis (Wally) Weaver

Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Weaver joined the Carlson team in 2012, bringing with him more than 25 years of experience in finance, accounting and technology. A former Big Four CPA, Mr. Weaver began his career in the Los Angeles office of Deloitte & Touche, working with clients in a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, insurance, aerospace and government. His experience includes several controllerships and 10 years running his own CPA firm. In recent years, Mr. Weaver has been involved extensively in efforts to bring broadband connectivity to rural residents of Northern California. He holds bachelor's degrees both in accounting and mathematics from Auburn University.

Craig Domeny

Director of Engineering
Mr. Domeny joined Carlson in 2012, bringing more than 30 years of experience in electrical and product engineering, including more than 10 years performing analog and digital IC design in the communications, automotive and industrial sectors. His experience includes software development, project management and team leadership, most recently at an industrial robotics startup operating in the industrial process space. Mr. Domeny has recently returned from a project in Asia, where he developed and led a global field-applications engineering team in the biometric security space. He earned his BSEE from California State University, Sacramento.

Chris Spoerle

Director of Quality Assurance
Mr. Spoerle joined the company in 2006 and directs Carlson's five-star customer support department as well as the product quality control department. He brings many years of electronics experience to Carlson, including 10 years as a Motorola service technician working with communications products for the public safety, industrial and transportation sectors. Mr. Spoerle is also an experienced two-way radio service-and-repair technician. He holds an associate's degree in electronics from College of the Redwoods as well as a tower climber certificate from ComTrain.

Karol Andersson

Marketing Communications Specialist
Ms. Andersson, who joined Carlson in 2010, develops and implements programs that promote the company and support the sales department. She is a communications professional whose background is in journalism, publicity, grant writing and education. Having spent most of her years in rural Texas and California, Ms. Andersson understands the importance of expanding rural telecommunications to empower residents economically and educationally. She attended Humboldt State University, where she earned a master's degree in English with an emphasis on analytical writing and research.

Derek J. Kingham

Financial, Operational and Administrative Advisor
With more than 25 years experience in complex operations, administration and information technology, Mr. Kingham is a creative critical thinker and problem solver with a total business perspective. Mr. Kingham was born and educated in the United Kingdom. He graduated from the United World College of the Atlantic and conducted chemical research at the University of Sussex. In 1979, he relocated to the United States, where he has held various full-time senior management positions in privately-held companies ranging in size from 10 to 600 employees. As a manager, he is a proven team builder with the ability to develop and motivate others.