Danny brings more than 30 years of experience in telecommunications, spanning network and field operations, construction, program management, digital transformation, and sales.

Prior to KFN, Pate served as Chief Operating Officer at Fatbeam Fiber, where he led daily operations, scaled performance-driven operating models, and drove process and cost efficiencies to fuel revenue growth.

Pate has also served as an Executive across multiple Private Equity backed companies and started his career in telecommunications with the local division of Sprint, Qwest Communications, and CenturyLink, holding network leadership roles that culminated in Vice President positions in Engineering and Operations across multiple CenturyLink markets over 22 years.

Pate supports Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the American Heart Association, and initiatives supporting teachers and first responders. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems from Longwood University.

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Terry Talken has been with KFN as our Chief Financial Officer since July 2017. Having practiced as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Talken values maintaining the integrity of the accounting records to ensure accurate reporting of historical results and provide the basis for setting strategic direction. Talken has over 20 years of accounting, regulatory, finance, and business development experience in the telecommunications industry.

Prior to KFN, Talken worked at Sprint in various roles within its wireline and wireless divisions. Understanding and interpreting network economics was fundamental to his success in providing financial and strategic leadership for network technology selection, market expansion, product and business development, business partnerships and M&A transactions, wholesale and retail pricing, and more.

Talken also has experience practicing as a CPA performing GAAP audits for BKD LLP, and later for Frederick & Warinner LLC (now Moss Adams). While with Frederick & Warinner, he performed regulatory consulting services in addition to GAAP audits of independent local exchange carriers, telecommunications holding companies, and wireless service providers.

In addition to his professional career, Talken’s interest in entrepreneurship led him to co-found several home hardware and plumbing related businesses including online retailers and a manufacturer and importer.

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Jesse Parisoff is KFN’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing, who embarked on her journey with KFN in 2020 as an Account Manager. With a keen focus on driving customer success and revenue growth, Jesse has been instrumental in delivering exceptional value to KFN’s Wholesale customers, as well as fostering stronger bonds within the KFN Leadership and Member Owners community.

Jesse’s approach is built on the pillars of relationship cultivation, unwavering accountability, and innovative problem-solving. Her dedication to nurturing long-term connections and her ability to devise creative solutions have consistently proven invaluable to both the company and its esteemed clients.

Before joining KFN, Jesse’s professional journey began at Sprint, where she honed her skills in various Network Engineer roles. She then transitioned to a local telecom provider, where she gained a deep understanding of the inner workings of a State/Regional telecom company. Jesse later joined a logistics start-up as the company’s second employee, eventually becoming Director of Training & Development. Her contributions helped propel the company to one of Kansas City’s fastest-growing enterprises, appearing on the Fortune 5000 list for several consecutive years.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jesse is a devoted wife and mother who treasures quality time with her family. Her love for the outdoors and appreciation for live music reflect her vibrant personality.

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Jerry Kaufmann joined KFN as Director of Business Development in February 2022 and brings over 30 years of telecom experience. Prior to joining KFN, Kaufmann worked in a variety of business development and relationship management roles at Sprint Corporation for approximately 33 years before the T-Mobile acquisition in April 2020. His last roles involved managing and directing channel development in support of new national distribution partners including Target, Microsoft, Samsung, and Best Buy.

At KFN, Kaufmann is primarily responsible for identifying and nurturing strategic accounts and oversees many of the business operation functions across the enterprise focused on sales enablement. He also manages contract activity with various Master Agent, Wholesale and Carrier partnerships and supports marketing initiatives and business case development for key strategic alliances.

Outside of work, Kaufmann enjoys staying active by playing golf, competing with his wife for most steps in a day, and having impromptu gatherings with family and friends. He and his wife recently became first-time grandparents. He graduated from Rockhurst University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and played soccer for the University, making the national tournament in three of his four years.

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Brian Cornish is a seasoned professional in the field of telecommunications, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the industry. Since 2020, he has been a valuable member of the Kansas Fiber Network team, contributing significantly to the company’s growth and success.

Brian’s journey in the telecommunications sector began with engineering management roles at prestigious organizations, including Black & Veatch, Qwest/CenturyLink/Lumen, and TCG/AT&T Local. During his tenure at these companies, he honed his expertise in Outside Plant (OSP) engineering, specializing in the design, construction, and maintenance of CLEC and long haul fiber networks.

Brian’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree from Pittsburg State University and an MBA from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Brian enjoys Jeep off-roading, smoking meat, and bird hunting.

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John Hageman joined KFN in March of 2014 as Supervisor of Engineering. During his time at KFN he has held multiple positions before becoming the Vice President of Engineering and Operations in August 2023.

Before KFN, Hageman spent 13 years at Swiftel Communications, a small ILEC and wireless carrier, working his way up to Central Office Foreman. At Swiftel, he contributed to the Calix FTTH rollout, video headend, ethernet services, and DWDM transport projects.

After attending South Dakota State and graduating from Mitchell Technical Institute, Hageman spent two years at US West, now Lumen, as a Central Office Technician.

Outside of business, Hageman enjoys wood and metal working, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

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