The wireless industry is a nexus for meeting and building relationships, a sentiment that resonates deeply with our KORE Connections series. The KORE Connections series gives a stage to the many personalities that bring you advanced solutions and high-quality products that define KORE. This month, we introduce you to Mike DeSalvo, KORE’s Senior Director of Carrier Programs and wireless industry veteran with 20 years of experience. With 16 of those years spent in various sales, operations, program management and leadership roles at T-Mobile, US, Mike brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His journey with KORE began in 2022 following the acquisition of BMP, and since then he and his team have been doing big things.
Q: Are you a morning person or a night owl?
A: Definitely a morning person; up at 5:30am every day, out the door and on the way to work out by 6am. It’s incredible how much you can get done in a day if you start early.
Q: Did you ever picture yourself where you are now?
A: I’ve been moving fast my entire life, so when I was a kid, I always pictured myself doing something exciting and fulfilling. I don’t look backwards very often, but when I do, I consider myself fortunate to be in this industry, at the right time and with the right people.
Q: What’s the most exciting part of your job?
A: Working with entrepreneurs and solution partners and getting a first-hand look at some of the most innovative technologies hitting the market. Being able to partner with these folks and then pitch and sell these ideas and solutions makes my job very interesting and exciting.
Q: What was your go-to extracurricular activity in school?
A: I played on the soccer and volleyball teams in the fall and spring respectively and was on the quiz-bowl team in the winter. I went to a large, competitive high-school in New Jersey that had a great sports program but there was a certain satisfaction in taking down competitors in quiz bowl!
Q: What do you think makes a good coworker?
A: An ideal coworker is collaborative, constantly seeks diverse perspectives for problem-solving, and is committed to continuous learning and improvement. Someone who likes going to happy hour is a major plus!
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration in life?
A: I’m fortunate to have a few inspirational people in my life but my late grandfather is probably the one that comes to mind first. He was 1 of 13 siblings and fought valiantly in the Pacific Theater of WWII in the Navy. He moved to New Jersey on a recommendation from one of his older brothers and started a family. He ran a very successful dry-cleaning business in my hometown for 30 years before taking a well-deserved retirement. He always worked hard, had a positive attitude, and made everyone else around him feel great. My goal is to do those same things every day, and I think of him for inspiration when I find myself not at my best. I had a chance to take him to Hawaii when he was 91 years old. We got to spend two weeks there together and it’s a trip and time that I’ll never forget.
Learn how you can make a difference #AtTheKORE by visiting our careers page.
In a world obsessed with connections, from fast streaming services, to building personal networks, to even connected cities and homes, it is the personal connections that matter the most – that is why we are proud to introduce KORE Connections. This forum is a Q&A series where our thought leaders and innovators can share their perspectives on life, innovations, and business which could help you in building your own connections.
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