NetForward is a team of trusted IT advisors with a strong focus on building and maintaining relationships. We take pride in our ability to meet clients where they are, flexibly designing strategies around IT and cybersecurity that provide value and drive business growth.
Our fully U.S. based team helps companies enhance their cybersecurity posture, improve the reliability of their systems, and implement IT strategies that transform IT from an expense to an investment.
Robb Richardson, our Founder, has always been passionate about building strong, value-driven partnerships with his clients. In the mid-2000s, Robb worked as a Network Operations Specialist for a Managed Service Provider. After five years with the company, Robb found another opportunity. Though he left that MSP, his clients never forgot him. After a few months, one of those clients asked Robb if he could continue supporting their business. They were dissatisfied with the service they were receiving after Robb’s departure, and they trusted Robb to be straightforward, quick to respond, and efficient. Robb agreed to help them as much as possible, so long as it didn’t interfere with his day job. Robb had built strong relationships with many of his former clients. Curious if others were having a similar experience, Robb made some calls. As a result, several of Robb’s former clients became NetForward’s first partners.
Robb knew he could provide his partners with more value if he could devote more time to them. So, in 2013, with the help of our Co-Founder, Gordon Hebert, Robb left his day job and founded NetForward. Gordon, a long-time friend of Robb’s, had the experience of starting several successful businesses prior to NetForward. Robb knew Gordon’s experience would be critical to ensuring NetForward’s success. Gordon’s leadership provided NetForward with a strategic vision and financial stability, ultimately helping us grow.
Robb knew he could provide his partners with more value if he could devote more time to them. So, in 2013, with the help of our Co-Founder, Gordon Hebert, Robb left his day job and founded NetForward. Gordon, a long-time friend of Robb’s, had the experience of starting several successful businesses prior to NetForward. Robb knew Gordon’s experience would be critical to ensuring NetForward’s success. Gordon’s leadership provided NetForward with a strategic vision and financial stability, ultimately helping us grow.
We have increased service offerings, grown our exceptional team, and expanded our service area, primarily to Southeastern Wisconsin and Northeastern Illinois, and, in some cases, nationally. We may have grown, but our commitment to building strong relationships and operating with integrity has stayed the same. You will find a true partner in NetForward; a partner committed to advancing your businesses with technology, whether through strategic consulting, budget planning, or optimizing, restoring, maintaining, installing, updating, securing, or monitoring your systems. Our partners enjoy peace of mind knowing that their IT strategy is aligned with their business objectives.
At NetForward, our mission is to guide you in making thoughtful, informed decisions based on your current needs and capabilities, to strengthen the health and security of your network, and to help achieve your business goals. Technology is integrated into every aspect of a business. Maximizing your IT investment requires careful planning, rigorous maintenance, and alignment with business goals. Maximize your IT investment and advance your business with technology.
Our style of IT management is approachable and consultative. We guide our partners in developing an IT strategy that prioritizes high-value solutions to facilitate growth and mitigate risks. We carefully consider our partners’ objectives and constraints to design a strategy that is practical, forward-thinking, and promotes growth without creating new obstacles. Our values, integrity, building strong relationships, and having fun while doing it, are the pillars to our success. By embodying these values, we have built long-lasting bonds with our clients and employees.
If you could use a strategic IT partner to help you budget, plan, manage, and build a secure and healthy IT environment, please reach out to us. We’d love to meet you!
President & Owner
Robb has been consulting in Systems Administration for more than 18 years, with 12 of those being from a strategic business perspective. He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from UW-Parkside. His extensive experience allows him to provide executive IT leadership guidance to our clients and architect custom solutions to solve their complex needs. During the weekend, you can find Robb practicing archery, or riding his motorcycle with his corgi, Ian.
Executive Vice President & Co-Owner
Gordon mentors his team and clients on effective business strategy using a consultative approach, and an “Extreme Ownership” mentality: skills he has earned through his extensive career both as a combat leader and intelligence officer in the US Army and in his civilian career in organizational leadership.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Cardinal Stritch University. When Gordon is not working, he would rather be hiking the Appalachian Trail again, or enjoying a great meal and a bottle of wine with friends and family.
Vice President
Laura has over 10 years of experience in management and organizational leadership. She oversees all departments of NetForward, and ensures the strategy and culture are maintained through policy and leadership at all levels. Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from UW-Milwaukee. Outside of work, Laura loves hiking with her dog, gardening, and reading. She volunteers for her village’s Human Relations Committee.
Operations Manager
Ben oversees the IT Operations team and ensures client expectations are exceeded. With his direct style of leadership and over 12 years of system administration and engineering experience, Ben guides the team to solve a variety of IT challenges. He is especially skilled in understanding complex environments and finding the right solution for our clients. Ben loves gaming with his family, and he sings in his community choir.
Sales Development Manager
Steb has over 15 years of experience driving sales and client success. With a focus on relationship-building, sales acumen, and a commitment to client success, Steb plays a pivotal role in NetForward’s growth. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism, advertising, and media studies, with a focus in advertising, from UW-Milwaukee. Outside of work, Steb enjoys foraging, DJing, and traveling the globe.
262.812.2000
8032 22nd Ave. #5085
Kenosha, WI 53143