Charles M. Piluso
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Piluso is DSC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. He has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2008, Chief Financial Officer since 2014, Treasurer since 2020, and Chairman of the Board since 2008. Prior to founding DSC in 2001, Mr. Piluso founded North American Telecommunication Corporation a facilities-based Competitive Local Exchange Carrier licensed by the Public Service Commission in ten states, serving as the company’s Chairman and President from 1997 to 2000. Between 1990 and 1997, Mr. Piluso served as Chairman & Founder of International Telecommunications Corporation (“ITC”), a facilities-based international carrier licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. ITC participated in a consolidation strategy that went public in 1997 for $800 million. Mr. Piluso holds a bachelor’s degree, a Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration and a Master of Business Administration all from St. John’s University. He was an Instructor Professor at St. John’s University, College of Business from 1986 through 1988. From 2001 to 2013, served on the Board of Trustees of Molloy College. Mr. Piluso served on the Board of Governors at St. John’s University from 2001 to 2016 and Governor Emeritus; and, is currently serving on the Board of Advisors for the Nassau County Police Department Foundation.
Harold J. Schwartz
President and Director
Mr. Schwartz is DSC’s President and serves as a Director. He has served as President and Director since December 2016 and served as Treasurer from 2016 to 2020. Since 1995, Mr. Schwartz has served as vice president of ABC Services, Inc., which he co-founded, where he was responsible for the strategic direction of the company, operations, business development and sales. Over the past two decades, Mr. Schwartz has honed his expertise in IBM business systems, business continuity and helping organizations increase IT performance while reducing costs. In addition, Mr. Schwartz is the founder of Systems Trading, Inc., a technology leasing company established in 1997, where Mr. Schwartz serves as the company’s CEO and president. Prior to founding these two businesses, Mr. Schwartz was with CAC Leasing for six years, where he started a lease asset sales division in 1991. This division was established shortly after Mr. Schwartz earned his bachelor’s degree in business from California State University in San Bernardino. Since 2010, Mr. Schwartz has served on the Board of Advisors for Data Storage Corporation.
Thomas C. Kempster
Executive Vice President and Director
Thomas Kempster serves as Executive Vice President of Data Storage Corporation (DSC), where he is responsible for the development of enterprise distribution channels, formation of strategic partnerships, expanding service lines and all associated business development activities.
Thomas is an accomplished technology veteran with 30 plus years of experience in developing new business and cultivating enterprise relationships in the Service and Solutions industry. Kempster previously served as President of Service Operations for DSC, where he focused upon business operations and around the clock 7x24 services. Key functions included development and execution of infrastructure services and management of the national support team.
Prior to his role at DSC, in 1993 Kempster founded and developed ABC Services, Inc., as a managed services provider specializing in IBM Power environments. It was here, he grew the corporation through building strategic partnerships which included technology industry leaders such as IBM, Microsoft and VMware, all with the mission of building a solutions-driven business. ABC Services continued to prosper and expand through 2016, when it was acquired by DSC.
Chris H. Panagiotakos
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Panagiotakos is responsible for all aspects of Finance and Accounting and is an integral member of our M&A team. Mr. Panagiotakos served as the Vice President, Corporate Controller of Cinedigm Corp. (CIDM: Nasdaq Global Market) from April 2017 until March 2021, where he was responsible for the company’s accounting function, oversight of the company’s external audit, compliance and controls in addition to staff training and development. Cinedigm Corp. is an American entertainment company headquartered in Los Angeles, California and its businesses encompass digital cinema, streaming channels, content marketing, and distribution. Prior to becoming Vice President, Corporate Controller of Cinedigm Corp, he served as their Corporate Assistant Controller from October 2013 to April 2017. From September 2004 to October 2013, Mr. Panagiotakos served in various capacities in the accounting department at Young Broadcasting Inc., including as Controller of one its divisions and Assistant Corporate Controller. Mr. Panagiotakos has over 23 years in public company accounting experience and he brings a broad range of experience related to public company accounting matters. Mr. Panagiotakos holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Bernard M. Baruch College, a Masters of Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and is a Certified Public Accountant.