Our Leadership Team
The Corente executive team combines world-class technology and networking industry expertise, gained at companies like AT&T, MCI, Lucent Technologies, IBM and Intel, with a wide range of experience gained at new and innovative companies.
James L. Zucco, Jr.
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Jim has over 20 years of executive experience in the software and telecommunications industries. His broad-based industry experience includes senior executive roles in two of the most prominent global telecommunications providers, a successful turnaround of a public company, active board and investment roles with leading emerging growth companies, and CEO of a start-up.
Prior to joining Corente, Jim was a General Partner with Blue Rock Capital and an active investor and board member. He has served as Executive-in-Residence at Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers. Jim was the independent board member of two leaders in the emerging market for VoIP technologies and services—dynamicsoft and NetSolve—that became key components in the evolution of Cisco Systems' voice portfolio when Cisco acquired them both in the fall of 2004. He is currently on the board of uReach Technologies, a leader in the converged messaging marketplace.
Jim's executive experience includes Senior Vice President and CIO of the MCI Corporation, where he led product development and systems engineering. At AT&T, he served as VP and General Manager of the Business Communications Group and led the launch of their Internet business activities, including AT&T's first IP network and WorldNet, their ISP. At Lucent Technologies, he served as Vice President and General Manager of the North American carrier business unit. As CEO of Shiva Corporation, Jim executed a turnaround strategy that returned profitability within 18 months and, under his leadership, concluded a successful sale of Shiva to Intel Corporation.
Jim received his B.A. from Western Maryland College and his M.B.A. from Loyola College.
Sam Bendinelli
SVP, Engineering & Operations
Sam is responsible for engineering and operations at Corente. He is a founding member of Corente's management team. Sam has more than 20 years of experience developing networking products and services.
Sam came to Corente from Lucent Technologies, where he served as a manager in Lucent's Bell Labs Research division, heading the Network Access Research Department. In that role, Sam was responsible for turning leading-edge technology into products in the broadband access and telecommunication systems spaces. At Lucent Technologies, he also led development efforts for IP-PBX and cable modem systems. In addition, Sam has extensive expertise in TCP/IP protocols and IP telephony systems.
Sam received his BS in Electrical Engineering from The College of New Jersey and his MS in Computer Science from Monmouth University.
Steve Lubchansky
SVP, Sales & Business Development
Steve is responsible for sales at Corente, including leadership for direct sales as well as developing relationships with business partners. He has over 20 years of experience in the networking industry.
Prior to joining Corente, Steve held sales leadership positions with companies such as Nortel, Burroughs (Unisys), Bay Networks, NetSolve, and Prominence Networks. Throughout his career, he has successfully helped customers exploit the business value of internetworking technologies and innovative service delivery models.
Steve received his BA in Business Administration from Queens College in New York City.
