Business Profile | Dave Kelsch

By Mark Zonca
March 2015 View more Business

Advanced Data Technologies, incorporated in 1989, is based in Naperville and offers its customers a variety of cabling and networking options to help businesses run more efficiently and effectively. CEO Dave Kelsch believes his company’s customers are the passport to success and that without them, Advanced Data Technologies would not be as successful as it is today. Naperville Magazine spoke with Kelsch about the driving force behind the success of his company and how the growing number of connected mobile devices has transformed his company.

Advanced Data Technologies specializes in the design and installation of structured cabling solutions and networking equipment. Essentially, your company provides the communication and business connectivity—or lifeline—for companies to succeed. Describe why connectivity is more than just cabling. 

It isn’t very glamorous, but cabling is the physical layer that supports all of the technology above it. A professionally installed, high quality installation will provide the capacity and reliability that allows businesses to run their networks without having to think about it. Network outages are frequently cabling related and we make certain that it never happens with our installations.

Bandwidth has been described as the currency of the new millennium. It’s changing the way businesses compete, succeed, or fail. How is Advanced Data Technologies helping company’s capitalize on this new currency?

I think everybody can appreciate the hunger for more bandwidth—from their Internet service providers, public Wi-Fi, wireless carriers—you can never have enough. The solutions we provide, whether it is copper, fiber, or wireless media, provide the capacity to support the fastest networks available which is currently up to 100 Gbps over fiber. The ever-increasing number of connected mobile devices and streaming video are the current big drivers of this.

Advanced Data Technologies was founded in 1989. How has your company and the industry changed in the last 25 years?

Yikes—25 years?! Really? A lot. Local area networks (LAN) were in their infancy running at 10 Mbps, data centers were filled with mainframe computers, most companies had never heard of a LAN, there was no commercial Internet, no email, no wireless networks. We have evolved as a business along with the industry, although our core business of structured cabling solutions has not changed. Our company utilizes much of the same technology and solutions that our customers do. This keeps us in tune with their needs and also allows us to run our business in a very efficient manner. Twenty-five years ago I was working out of our house and now we have a fantastic 27,000 square foot facility that provides a great work environment for our employees and superior service for our customers.

You’re actively involved with several Naperville area nonprofit and community organizations. In fact, you’ve been described by some in the community as a “volunteer junkie.” Why is giving back so important to you and how has this become an important aspect of your company?

Naperville has always had an amazing volunteer spirit, which is one of the many things that make our community so great. The company provides a means that allows us to give back. I think that any person or business that has the means to give, should do so. Doing work for and supporting organizations that are positively impacting people’s lives is also very rewarding.

What inspired you to set-up shop in Naperville? What does Naperville offer that Chicago or other suburbs don’t offer in terms of business opportunities? 

Well, I live in Naperville so that has a lot to do with it. Although I have a 10 mile commute it can take me over 30 minutes. Actually, the location is ideal since we are close to I-88 and that gives us easy access to all of our customers and projects that are in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

When you are not busy being CEO at Advanced Data Technologies, how do you enjoy spending your free time?

A lot of my free time is spent serving on not-for-profit boards, but after that, I enjoy music, golf, cars, guitars, and wine.

What motivates you and gets you out of bed in the morning?

I love my job! I work with great people and great customers. Every day is fun and presents new challenges. Having a son in medical school, another son in college, and another son starting college next year is also great motivation. I am very blessed to have three fantastic sons that are smart, talented, and just great people. I have an amazing wife of 28 years that I can give credit to for that.

Customer Principles of Advanced Data Technologies

• The customer is our reason for being here.

• Customers are not dependent on us. We are dependent on them.

• They are not an interruption of our work. They are the purpose of it.

• It takes months to find a customer, seconds to lose one.

• Always be courteous and polite during each customer contact.

• Always do more than expected when you handle a customer’s problem.

• Never promise more than we can deliver.

• Continually look for ways to improve quality and add value to products our customers purchase.