Cloud Architect

In the world of technology, giants often move by acquiring key players. This was the playbook for AT&T's entry into cloud services. The story begins not within AT&T, but in 1998 with the founding of USinternetworking (USi) by Christopher R. McCleary, Chris Poelma, and Stephen McManus. USi was an early pioneer in the Application Service Provider (ASP) model, a precursor to today's cloud computing, which involved hosting business applications for customers over a network. After a successful IPO during the dot-com bubble and navigating a subsequent bankruptcy, USi re-emerged. The pivotal moment came in September 2006, when AT&T announced its acquisition of USi for approximately $300 million. At the time, telecom companies were looking to expand into managed IT services, and USi was one of the few remaining standalone ASPs. The acquisition was a strategic move for AT&T, allowing it to integrate USi's expertise in managing applications from vendors like Oracle, Microsoft, and IBM into its own global network and hosting capabilities. Following the deal, USi became a wholly owned subsidiary within AT&T's enterprise services division, with its leadership team largely retained to ensure a smooth transition. This acquisition formed a core component of what would evolve into AT&T's broader cloud solutions, including offerings like the AT&T Cloud Architect tool, designed to help businesses manage their cloud infrastructure.