About DBSI
Robert D. Hicks
Chief Operating Officer
Robert D. Hicks is the Chief Operating Officer for DBSi. In 1995, DBSi recruited Hicks back to his native Lehigh Valley from a Florida based systems integrator where he had an impressive record of sales growth and management ability. He has been a driving force in DBSi’s growth and transformation since his arrival. Under his leadership, DBSi achieved triple digit revenue growth from 1995 to 1999 and once again from 2005 going forward. During DBSi’s transition from system integration and disaster recovery to a focused disaster recovery and hosting solution provider Hicks was instrumental in the development of operational procedures, while maintaining sales momentum. Hicks brings to DBSi sixteen years of experience in disaster recovery and systems integration and another five years IT experience with a Fortune 500 company. His forward thinking approach to leadership and his expertise in sales, management and technical areas have made him a major component in DBSi’s success.
Hicks is a key member of DBSi’s executive team and has played a vital role in bringing on board key staff members necessary for DBSi to achieve its aggressive growth targets.
Hicks has also been instrumental in building relationships with DBSi’s strategic partners and vendors. His ability to nurture and grow client relationships has allowed DBSi to build an impressive list of Fortune 1000 as well as SMB clients.
Prior to joining DBSi Hicks was the Vice President and General Manager for Vetrol Data Systems, a Systems Integrator and application developer in Vero Beach, Florida. Over his six-year tenure at VDS he was credited with identifying and developing a leading position in interactive voice response systems utilized in local municipalities. He also held technical and management positions at Ingersoll-Rand Company and Innovative Computer Consultants. Hicks was a charter member and Treasurer of the Jaycees in Sebastian, Florida and was also a member of a Lehigh Valley based Jaycees organization.
The Real Cost
of Downtime
Failure of business critical services can cause a devastating loss of money. According to a 2001 Merrill Lynch/McKinsey report, each hour a business spends “down” can cost from $14,000 to $6.5 million, depending on the industry dollar amounts that are downright conservative by 2007 standards.
Once inflation and the increased prevalence of the Internet are factored in, the numbers could easily range from $25,000 to $10+ million per hour.