Our Team

VCI Solutions is comprised of a dynamic group of individuals who posses a tremendous amount of expertise in the media industry. Not only do we continually invest in our products, but we invest in our team, so that we are able to be forward-thinking and agile with the products and services we provide.

Our Orion Business Systems service, support, and training team members have all achieved Orion application certification. In addition, the Support Team, including Support Manager, have all completed the Help Desk Institute (HDI) Certification program.

Meet our Executive Team

Meet our Board of Directors

Executive Team

Robert Furlong President & CEO

Robert Furlong has been managing broadcast operations for well over 20 years and carries a proven track record of improving operational efficiency, growing revenue and increasing shareholder value. He has been a trusted VCI Solutions’ client over the course of his broadcasting career; which has enhanced the organization’s incredible domain expertise and long-term partnerships, while providing a solid client perspective.

Robert came to VCI Solutions from Freedom Broadcasting of New York, Inc. located in Albany, NY where he has served as Vice President and General Manager of both WRGB-TV and WCWN-TV since 2004. Prior to that, he held the Vice President and General Manager role at KPHO-TV, a Meredith Broadcasting station in Phoenix, Arizona. In both of these positions, Robert demonstrated and directed strategic and operational planning activities that were focused on increasing revenue and ratings, while raising standards and reducing costs.

W. Lowell Putnam Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)/Chairman

W. Lowell Putnam Son of broadcast Hall of Famer and UHF TV Pioneer, Bill Putnam, Lowell Putnam has spent his entire life in the broadcasting industry. Growing up in the business, Lowell has been a producer, news reporter, and even painted TV towers. After graduation from college, he was actively involved in the development of early generation traffic systems and held senior software development and business analyst positions, including Director of Systems Development for Springfield Television Corporation. Since founding VCI in 1984, Lowell has been viewed as an industry educator. In addition to being called on frequently by industry leaders and trade groups, Lowell has been a regular panelist at the BCFM annual convention and a frequent contributor to key industry trade publications over the years. Mr. Putnam’s station knowledge teamed with his development experience gives him a unique perspective that highlights client needs throughout the entire workflow. Lowell graduated with honors holding a B.A. in Psychology from American International College.

Mary Blair VP, Operations

Mary Blair brings 16 years of industry and business systems software experience to her product portfolio, in addition to 2 years of corporate accounting experience in a service industry prior to joining VCI Solutions. Mary has 7 years of station side experience that was developed in the field as a Software trainer and Implementation project leader which is where her career at VCI solutions started. Mary has held multiple positions within the organization including, Customer Support Manager, Implementations Manager, Operations Manager, and Software Development Manager. In addition to Mrs. Blair’s work experience she has received formal training in the areas of Product Management, Requirements Definition, Sandler Sales Training. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and an MBA from Western New England College.

Board of Directors

Keith Parent Board Member

Mr. Parent is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Court Square Group, Inc., a Springfield, Massachusetts-based information technology consulting company concentrating on serving the needs of large pharmaceutical and life sciences companies. He has an extensive technical background including large-scale software development, global infrastructure management and multi-industry integration project experience. He is also a serial entrepreneur creating two other companies while operating this one. Court Square Group, Inc. and Mr. parent have been the recipients of numerous business awards. Mr. Parent is also a frequent presenter at industry conferences. He also serves as a Director and member of the Executive Committee of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts where he also serves as Chairman of the Regional Technology Corporation. He is also a director of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts and the Biomedical Engineering Alliance and Consortium. He also holds a number of technology related advisory positions in several colleges and universities.

Charles Jablonski Board Member

Charles Jablonski is a four-time Emmy Award winner and former Vice President for the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). Jablonski has held leadership reigns – and served as an advisor and consultant – for a number of industry-shaping broadcast and technology companies such as: Vice President of Broadcast and Network Engineering for NBC; President and Chief Executive Officer for Myrio Corporation, and Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Network Operations and Engineering for Geocast Network Systems. Jablonski has represented various non-profit and education concerns in Board, Advisory or Senior Management capacities. He is a Past President of The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (of which he is a Fellow), a member of the Engineering Advisory Board of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Chair of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Technology Awards Committee. An author and lecturer on broadcast and business/technology issues, Jablonski has received four Emmy Awards and was featured as one of the “10 To Watch” by Electronic Media (1999). Currently, Jablonski also serves as a member of the: Advisory Board for Omneon Video Networks; Board of Directors and Advisory Board (Chairperson) for Visible World, Inc.; International Broadcasting Convention Council; and Board of Directors for Azcar. Additionally, Jablonski is a consultant to various other media companies, as well as venture capital and equity fund investment firms involved in areas of technology and business.

Ed Karlik Board Member

In July 1997, Edward Karlik founded Staightline Communications, which purchased three television stations (WTVX W. Palm Beach (UPN), WLWC Providence (UPN), and WVNY Burlington (ABC). Later, WTVX and WLWC were sold to Paramount Station Group. On a consulting basis, Ed was the project director for building TV2 in Hungary for SBS. He also completed other assignments for SBS including overseeing strategic planning and advertising for their investment in Zurich, Switzerland. From 1963 until 1997, Mr. Karlik was an integral part of many organizations including Renaissance Communications, Chase Communications, and Petry Television. During his tenure with Renaissance, Mr. Karlik‘s role as President/COO enabled him to create an elite group of six stations that were sold to Tribune Company. Edward Karlik’s extensive knowledge of the media industry has resulted in superior products and increased revenues. His recognition of the importance of strategic partnerships has been visible throughout his career.