Frank Cucco invited CJ and me to attend Impact Networking’s annual company meeting and 25th-anniversary celebration in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, earlier this month. Unfortunately, CJ had a scheduling conflict and could not attend.
More than 600 Impact Networking employees traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for the meeting.
The event was enjoyable and enlightening, offering valuable insights into Impact Networking’s future plans. With over 600 attendees, it was clear that the dealership’s employee’s enthusiasm stemmed more from their camaraderie than the scenic location. Like many dealer meetings, Impact Networking’s event featured awards, a review of the past year, and future goals, all kicked off with a message from the dealership’s outgoing CEO.
Impact Networking’s 25-Year Journey
The meeting began with Frank Cucco reflecting on the dealership’s 25-year history.
Frank Cucco opened the meeting by acknowledging Impact Networking’s 25-year journey. He reflected on early challenges, including legal issues with their former employer over customer information. Cucco recounted how he and his team faced significant opposition but remained committed to their vision. His longtime partner, President Dan Meyer, echoed this sentiment in his remarks.
Another major hurdle was the 2008-2009 economic recession, which tested Impact Networking’s aggressive acquisition strategy. The downturn placed immense pressure on the management team, but they persevered. Today, Impact Networking is one of North America’s leading office technology dealerships.
Cucco announced that the company achieved $205 million in revenue for 2024, a respectable figure but only a 5% year-over-year increase—a decline from previous growth trends. As a participant in our 39th Annual Dealer Survey, Impact Networking was one of just 16 dealers among 401 respondents to reach the $100+ million revenue mark. Cucco outlined their ambitious goal to grow to $500 million.
Reflecting on the company’s origins, Cucco noted that while Impact Networking has grown into a $205 million business, their former employer’s revenue has declined to $9 million—$1 million less than when he left over 25 years ago.
Impact Networking’s Transition Plan
A significant highlight of the event was the announcement of the leadership transition. Cucco, along with Meyer and Executive Vice President Tom Pieters, introduced their successors: Michael Lepper as CEO, Jeff Miller as CFO, and Anthony Cucco as COO. Cucco emphasized the new leadership’s youth. Lepper, for example, is just 37 years old. The outgoing executives will take on advisory roles, with Cucco serving as Chairman of the Board and Meyer and Pieters remaining as board members.
Cucco emphasized that future growth will rely on IT, software, security, and AI rather than A3 and A4 hardware sales. Impact Networking’s focus on diversification and technology will be key to achieving its ambitious revenue goals.
Dan Meyer, far left, Tom Pieters, far right, and Frank Cucco, second from right, pose with three of the company’s award winners.
One of the most impressive aspects of the event was the culture of appreciation within the company. After the awards ceremony, employees could step to the mic and publicly acknowledge their colleagues’ contributions. The enthusiastic reactions underscored a strong sense of teamwork and mutual respect within the organization.
I had the opportunity to sit with several salespeople and discuss various aspects of the program. Their genuine enthusiasm and alignment with the company’s vision were evident.
With such a cohesive team, Impact Networking’s goals seem well within reach. We look forward to tracking their progress and expect to meet with them again later this year at the 2025 Kyocera dealer meeting.
