Our Leadership

Michael L. LaBaw

Founder, President

As Founder, President and sole owner of Sound Telecom, Michael L. LaBaw provides strategic, visionary, management and operational oversight of the Company. In addition to directing Sound Telecom’s management team, Mr. LaBaw is responsible for negotiating major contracts, acquisitions and divestures. He also takes an active role in the sales and marketing strategies of the Company. Prior to purchasing Sound Telecom, Mr. LaBaw was a Certified Public Accountant for Alexander Grant and Company (now Grant Thornton). He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Colorado State University. Mr. LaBaw is an active supporter of several youth educational, athletic and Christian organizations, serving as a director on several local, non-profit organizations, including Seattle Area Youth for Christ and Youth for Christ Eastside.

Sydney Morgan Diamond

Corporate CFO/Controller

Sydney Morgan Diamond has joined Sound Telecom in March 2008. Bringing over 20 years of financial management with her, Sydney’s background includes CFO/Controller positions in the real estate, construction/engineering, gaming, and services industries. As the Corporate CFO/Controller, Ms. Diamond oversees all financial and administrative service operations for Sound Telecom. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Brown University and her MBA from the University of Chicago. Ms. Diamond and her husband live in the Seattle metropolitan area and are avid supporters of several children’s organizations including First Place and Children’s Hospital.

Brian Gabriel

Chief Operations Officer

As Chief Operations Officer for Sound Telecom, Brian Gabriel is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Company’s call centers, Sales department and the Solaxis division. Prior to joining Sound Telecom, Mr. Gabriel held management positions with a variety of Internet companies, including XpenseWise.com and Greatfood.com, where he increased consumer satisfaction over 40 percent as director of their inbound call center operation that generated nearly $5 million in annual sales. Mr. Gabriel started his career in advertising and sales before moving to Washington where he joined AEI Music, supervising their international customer service department and call center, which included both sales and technical support divisions. Mr. Gabriel received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a minor in Spanish languages from San Diego State University.

James Rader

Operations Manager

James Rader joined the Sound Telecom Team in September 2006 as the Operations Manager for the Spokane office. His duties have increased and now oversees the operations in our Seattle Call Center as well. His main responsibilities are integrating both offices and managing the multiple platforms that we are currently utilizing. Jim began his career in the call center industry in 1994 and he has been involved in all types of call centers ranging from Outbound Market Research, Fundraising and Answering Services, which have taken him all over the country including Colorado, West Virginia and now Washington. His specialties are account management and strategies and new development implementation. Jim is a hands on type of manager that really digs in to agent and supervisor training and retention. Jim attended Lewis University in Romeoville, IL where he his major was Pre-Med, but quickly found his calling in the fast paced nature of call centers. Jim currently resides with his wife and 4 children in lovely and scenic Post Falls, ID.

Jim Kusler

Information Technology Manager

The newest member of the Sound Telecom management team, Jim Kusler joined Sound Telecom in January 2006 as Information Technology Manager. In this role, Mr. Kusler oversees and manages each of the company’s technology platforms. From system administration to network management to maintaining call switching equipment and software, Mr. Kusler plays an integral role ensuring 24 x 7 continuity at Sound Telecom. Mr. Kusler has a non-traditional IT background, having spent the first 14 years of his professional life in television. After graduating from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television Performance and Production in 1989, Mr. Kusler held a variety of positions in television news and promotions. In 2003, Mr. Kusler decided to return to college to pursue his interest in computing; he recently received a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems Security along with A.A.S. degree in Computer Network Systems from ITT. His position with Sound Telecom is his first since graduating first in his class with highest honors.