Meet Your Team

Courtney Humphrey is the founder and CEO of Opex Technologies. His 20 years of technology industry experience began at MCI and MCI World Com prior to starting Opex in 2004. Courtney’s ability to lead and create strategic direction for the company has allowed him to proudly assemble a world-class team of technology advisors focused on simplifying critical technology decisions for the more than 800 Opex clients. Courtney is an avid outdoorsman and looks forward to being able to take his three children on an African Safari when they are old enough.

Rich Nowalk is the Chief Strategy Officer at Opex Technologies. He joined Opex in 2014 with 10 years of technology industry experience, including five years at two leading data center, cloud, and IaaS managed hosting providers. Through his experience, Rich believes in earning business by building long-term relationships and maintaining a laser focus on the results that drive success for the partnership. Rich is an avid runner, cheers for all things Elon, and feels most at home on the beach with his family, two labs and a fishing pole in his hand.

Auburn Holbrook is President and Managing Partner of Opex Technologies. He is a 19-year veteran of the data center, cloud, and managed hosting industry. Before joining Opex in 2015, Auburn held multiple sales leadership positions within Hosted Solutions and Windstream Hosted Solutions. His extensive knowledge and expertise in designing complex solutions, negotiating preferential terms and conditions, along with leading cost metrics allow him to help enterprise clients with their most complex and strategic projects. Auburn is an avid outdoorsman, loves rooting for Tennessee, and has been known to take his wife Jenny to Nashville to listen to live music along Broadway.

Steve Weiner is CFO for Opex Technologies. Steve joined the company in 2016 and brings over 13+ years of C-level managerial accounting experience, mainly in the technology sector. Steve's main function is to assist management in data analysis in order to streamline the decision-making process. When he’s not in the office, Steve can be found cycling on the country roads that surround Raleigh.

Ben Thornton joined Opex in 2017 as Vice President of Technology and was promoted to Chief Technology Officer at the start of 2019. Embedded into his 22 years of IT experience, is six years in the banking industry running IT and infrastructure in an environment with heavy regulation and constant mergers and acquisitions. Ben has a passion for solving problems for our clients. When he’s not working, Ben gets as far away from computers as he can—he loves woodworking, cooking, and traveling with his family.

Randy Friedberg is COO and a lead Technology Advisor at Opex Technologies. He brings over twenty years of experience in the technology industry, including sales and executive leadership roles with Converged Network Services Group (Acquired by AppSmart) and 3 national service providers. Randy has learned that clients are looking to Opex for "Speed to Value" related to their technology transformation projects. Outside of work, Randy’s passions include spending time with his family (wife, son, and daughter) and being obsessed with cheering on the South Carolina Gamecocks!

Jamin has over 19+ years of managing enterprise and commercial accounts as well as leading commercial sales teams. Most recently, Jamin served as Regional Sales Leader at Cisco where he led a large commercial sales team delivering consistent Y/Y growth including $150MM product, software and service sales. Jamin has a passion for technology, specifically how technology can align to business objectives and drive new outcomes for each client. Jamin believes that digital transformation is a key differentiator for clients and is excited to join and lead the Opex Managing Partner team and align with our clients on their technology transformation projects that are underway, and forthcoming. Jamin resides in Raleigh, NC with his wife Amanda, and two young boys, ages 2.5 years old and 1 year old. On the weekends you will typically find Jamin and the family at the lake enjoying being on the water or during college football season, watching the Clemson Tigers play. Go Tigers!

Geri Smith is Vice President of Client Success for Opex Technologies. She brings 26 years of experience in the technology industry, serving in a variety of roles that provide her with hands-on experience from the client’s perspective. One of Geri’s favorite success stories was helping a national auto parts company in major acquisition mode establish a telecom support helpdesk to serve their distribution centers and stores. Seven years later, a team of 26 individuals provided Telecom Helpdesk support to 32 distribution centers and 1,500+ stores. Geri loves solving problems, living near the beach and spending time with her family—especially those grandkids!

Shaune is Vice President of Solutions Engineering at Opex Technologies. Shaune thrives on using his more than 20 years of experience in the cloud and data center/service provider industry to help organizations solve complex problems and implement solutions that achieve stated business outcomes. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.

Chris Mospan joined the Opex Technologies team in 2008 and is currently a Managing Partner. Quickly into his 16-year career in the technology industry, Chris developed a passion for technical problem solving and serving the role of trusted advisor for his clientele. He has a dedication to continuous education so that he can continue to provide the best intelligence in this rapidly evolving industry. Chris is related to the American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman, Daniel Boone!

Jesse is a 20+ year veteran with senior sales and marketing expertise and business leadership experience in financial information and technology companies. Whether he’s leading a global team to deliver ambitious sales targets, drive service implementation, develop disruptive transformational strategies to drive growth, or building a small B2B import and distribution start-up company in the NorthAM manufacturing market to explosive growth, Jesse considers himself a tech-savvy leader, with an inspiring presence, and an individual who is accustomed to leading client-facing activities to success.

Ronnie Harrell is a Managing Partner at Opex Technologies. He has extensive experience with technology industry leaders in infrastructure, security, and hybrid cloud solutions. After holding a position as a successful regional manager for Cisco, he took on a strategic sales role at NetApp, focusing on next-generation hybrid cloud solutions. As such, he is uniquely qualified to advise our clients on the appropriate solutions that will result in the optimum business outcome as they transform their business with the next-gen solutions provided in cloud, security, networks, and data center. Ronnie is an avid N.C. State fan, loves golf, and spending time at the beach with his family, friends, and their golden retriever, Snow.

Gwyn Grafe joins the Opex Technology team as a Managing Partner with 30 years experience assisting IT Leaders in making their IT Technology Investment decisions. As a strategic partner and trusted advisor, she ensures that client goals and objectives are met. Using a combination of sales, consulting, and leadership skills, she consistently creates solutions that drive transformation and accelerated value to ensure enterprise business outcomes with a relentless pursuit. She has both carrier and consulting experience and is recognized for her strategic account management skills. She has severed as a Sr Consultant, Regional Vice President, and Vice President of Sales at Advocate, as well as a Sales Executive with both AT&T and Lumens. Gwyn loves being outdoors and spending time with her family, she is also an avid fisherwoman and gets out on the water at every opportunity.

Shelby joined the Opex team in 2019, and since then has become the lead for all Opex Marketing initiatives, events, and continuing to grow the Opex brand. She attended UNCW and lives in Raleigh, where she spent most of her life outside of undergrad. In her free time, she enjoys spending her time outside, reading, and checking out local Raleigh restaurants.

Payton Tracy is the Director of Data Analytics Opex Technologies. He is a former Opex intern and quickly rose to the ranks of a valued full-time team member. Payton is a fast learner, which is important in the technology industry and has a passion for finding the best solutions and providers for each unique technology challenge. He enables Opex Managing Partners to be a speedboat when responding to their clients. Payton loves to surf and feels at home on the water.

Jordan is a Sales Enablement Manager - a former intern at Opex Technologies, Jordan has become a valued full-time member. Being a former athlete at Elon University, Jordan is a team player who is all about uplifting the team to new heights and successes which now pertains to Opex Technologies. Jordan works in all aspects of the company in helping to find solutions for any problems faced by the client or Opex. In his spare time, Jordan loves playing or watching sports, reading, and listening to music.

Larry Watkins is The Director of Client Experience at Opex Technologies. He has 32 plus years of client support experience and a proven track record of success. Larry builds confidence and strong relationships by providing positive outcomes for clients. Larry enjoys the outdoors. He loves fishing, cooking and camping with his family, especially the grandkids.

Renae Price has over 20+ years of experience in the technology industry, serving in a number of roles including but not limited to consulting, partner relationship management, telecom expense management, network implementation and team leadership. Most recently, Renae served as the leader for the Advocate Insider Marketplace Operations, which not only doubled in people growth but also revenue growth over the past 3 years. Renae has a passion for enabling technology leaders in accelerating their decision-making processes to grow and modernize their business. She resides in Hampton, GA with her husband and daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering.

Junie Murphy is a Client Relations Manager with extensive experience with leading-edge technology companies. Junie joined Opex in 2008, but over the past 10 years her primary focus has been supporting Opex’s clients’ implementations of complex Network, Voice— and most recently—Cloud services. Her high energy, solutions-focused, self-motivated drive for success and customer satisfaction differentiates her from the rest. In her spare time, Junie enjoys gardening and expressing herself by creating fun works of art.

Mary Graham comes to Opex with over 10 years of experience in the technology industry, with the last eight focused on implementation project management for data center and cloud services. Mary is a detail-oriented professional that is recognized by her peers for her knowledge, follow up, resolving complex issues, and making sure the clients are satisfied with the end result. Mary enjoys going to the beach with her family and friends, scuba diving, and is an alumni member of National Ski Patrol.

Carol Anthony joined the Opex Technologies team in July 2019 as Senior Client Services Manager. She brings 25 years of telecommunications experience, with a focus on customer advocacy and project management of multi-location complex networks. Carol describes herself as client-focused and highly motivated. She is also an active ambassador and volunteer for the local Alzheimer's Association of Tennessee and serves as Vice Chairman for the annual East Tennessee Children's Hospital Benefit, Fantasy of Trees. When she’s not working, Carol enjoys spending time with her husband and son at home in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Cicily Maddox is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in telecommunications and technology lines of business with extensive experience in provisioning, customer, vendor, and project management. She has been the lead in managing large skill migration implementations of voice and network, experienced in working with both internal and external customers while working as a strategic partner and trusted advisor with Channel partners. One of her strong suits is forging great relationships and trust with her client base. Cicily was born and raised in Georgia. She has a close knit family that she adores and enjoys DIY projects, volunteering, and travel.

Matt Harty joined the Opex Technologies team in late 2023 as a Client Experience Manager, tasked with ensuring positive experiences and outcomes on client engagements. He is passionate about collaborating with IT leaders to navigate the changing technology landscape and solve business challenges. Prior to Opex, he held sales and enablement positions with Bigleaf Networks, AppDirect, and RapidScale. Matt attended Wake Forest University, and outside of the office he enjoys lifting weights, cooking comfort food, and playing guitar.