Noah Drake has always had a passion for early-stage and startup ventures. He works as an advisor to tech startups and remains active in the Boulder and Denver startup ecosystem.
Drake is also president, Americas, of Telstra, a global telecommunications and technology company, providing data connectivity, internet infrastructure, global delivery networks and managed services to its customers. It’s clients include more than 500 enterprise, technology, financial service markets and broadcast customers in 160 cities, including cities in Europe, Asia and the South Pacific.
Telstra Americas has achieved 15% year-over-year growth during Drake’s time as president, a growth rate three to five times above industry averages. Americas has been the fastest growing of Telstra Enterprise-International’s four regions.
“Our industry is undergoing a time of change, when customer expectations of a network service provider are higher than ever, in terms of response times, creative solutions and ongoing support,” Drake said. “Customers today expect, and deserve, more, and Telstra is committed to reimagining every aspect of our business — from field support to operations to service — to continually enhance our expertise, solutions and support to make sure every decision is based solely on reaching a positive customer outcome.
“This level of organizational change also comes with risk, requiring new ways of thinking and taking a grassroots approach to matching the right technology to the right customer. I encourage Telstra employees and the telecommunications industry at large to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit needed to stay innovative in a world of emerging technology applications.”
Prior to joining Telstra, Drake compiled a distinguished reputation in the international communications space, building best-inclass performing teams and aggressively scaling in high-growth environments. He joined Telstra as the leader of the company’s customer solutions team to identify new technology solutions and applications for customers. The role required new ways of thinking and taking a grassroots approach for matching the right technology to the right customer.
Drake continues to encourage Telstra employees and the telecommunications industry at large to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit needed to stay innovative in a world of emerging technology applications. “As a result, Telstra has become a more ‘open’ organization, from the way it collaborates with partners and customers to its strategic expansion into new markets to its investments in network infrastructure and connectivity,” the company said.
Drake’s plan is for Telstra to deepen its portfolio of connectivity options, including subsea fiber, satellite, Internet or a hybrid combination by adding new technologies and forging new partnerships in each area. The company recently announced investments in major cable projects, has more satellite-related collaborations in its pipeline, and its Global Media xNetwork is reaching new destinations. From a market perspective, the company is looking at more growth within Canada and potential expansion in Latin America and other regions worldwide.
