BRENT YAX:
 
BRENT YAX




 
 
 
 
 
President and CEO of Awecomm Technologies LLC in Troy. Founded by Yax in 1999, Awecomm specializes in online consultation, website and application development, web hosting, and Internet marketing services. Surviving the dotcom bust, Awecomm has grown to 20 employees with more than $3 million in revenue. The company continues to diversify by adding new services and adapting to changing web technologies. Clients range from small local businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Recently, Awecomm was named a finalist for five Stevie Awards and won two Interactive Media Awards. For his entrepreneurial achievements, Yax was recognized as a "20 in Their 20s" by Crain's Detroit Business as well as one of Junior Achievement of Southeast Michigan's 2010 "Champions of the New Economy." Prior to Awecomm Technologies, Yax attended Western Michigan University to study computer systems engineering and started Awecomm before finishing his degree. Yax is both a Microsoft and Novell-certified engineer and has been featured in such media as StartUpNation, ITBusinessEdge and Corp! magazine. Yax is also chairman of the board for the R.A.N. Family of Services, which offers websites, support, tools, and fund-raising options for nonprofits. Yax aims to grow fund-raising activities and helps to design and build the business/charity connection network. In addition, he is tournament director for the annual Chip In For Charity golf tournament, also aimed at raising funds for nonprofits.


WHERE BORN: “Dearborn.”

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: “My stepfather, Rich Nawrocki, the CEO of CMI international, helped me to create Awecomm. He helped me in a lot of new situations and I got to see him in his work life. I try to apply what he had done and who he was to the decisions I make.”

LAST BOOK READ: “Peter's Lullably by a local woman, Jeanne Fowler. It's her story about growing up and her challenges. I've worked with her with my charity. It's a tough book to read, but you meet her and see how amazing she became.”

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: “Driven, hard-working, innovative, entrepreneurial, happy.”

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: “My business is in two parts - hosting and web development. On the hosting side, I see companies gravitating towards hands-off, managed solutions so they can focus their attention on business. Costs are coming down and technology is increasing. On the development side, websites are finally getting out of their infancy, becoming larger with more valuable and more useful information. On some sites, it can be hard to find information. More websites are trying to fill this gap with more research-based sites that have more information.”

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: “My iPhone. I have a love/hate relationship with it.”

FAVORITE PLACE: “Home. I love to work but it's really nice to kick back and relax.”

FAVORITE HOBBIES: “Eating and cooking. I like to try new food and like to cook at home. My sister's a chef and that rubs off on me a bit.”

FAVORITE FOOD: “I definitely don't have a favorite. If I haven't had it yet, I want to try it.”

MY HIDDEN TALENT: “I play guitar but not very well.”

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: “As a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and hopefully great-grandfather. I'm not married yet but hope to be all of those someday.”


Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.