Kelly Pernia joins goTenna as VP of Program Management

Nov 16, 2023

About goTenna

goTenna is advancing universal access to connectivity by building the world's most intelligent and scalable mobile mesh networks. goTenna is the world's leading mobile mesh networking company, providing off-grid connectivity solutions for smartphones and other devices, as well as augmenting traditional communications networks. This technology enables mobile, long-range connectivity without cell, wifi, or satellite connectivity. goTenna's drive to create resilient connectivity began during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 when approximately a third of cell towers and power stations in affected areas failed. goTenna's products are currently used by over 300 law enforcement, military, and public safety agencies worldwide. goTenna is backed by investors including Founders Fund, Union Square Ventures, Comcast Ventures, Collaborative Fund, and Bloomberg Beta.

Press Contact
press@gotenna.com
Share

Pernia brings extensive program management and technology transfer experience to goTenna.

JERSEY CITY, NJ (November 16, 2023) — goTenna, the world's leading mobile mesh networking company, announced the appointment of Kelly Pernia as VP of Program Management. Pernia brings 15 years of leadership experience in program management, customer relations, and strategic vision to mission-centric customers.

Pernia will lead goTenna's Program Management division and oversee the company's full lifecycle of funded development work. She will help align goTenna's roadmap to customer needs, from proposal identification and submission to contract execution. Pernia will build and lead a talented team to drive strategic efforts across goTenna's diverse lines of business, delivering world-class products and services that support our customers' most critical missions. She will work collaboratively with cross-departmental leadership to provide high-quality deliverables to customers on schedule, partnering with the Hardware, Software, Sales, Product, and Customer Experience teams. She will also be instrumental in shaping and driving internal initiatives that support goTenna's strategic goals and priorities.

Before joining goTenna, Pernia was the VP of International Operations at In-Q-Tel (IQT), where she managed the company’s day-to-day international operations, helped shape and execute the company’s global growth and expansion strategies, and led contract compliance and relationship management with intelligence community government customers. Previously, she was a Senior Program Manager overseeing a portfolio of IQT’s strategic investments to transition start-up technology to IQT’s customers in support of their mission needs. Pernia began her career as a government contractor supporting federal agencies as an analyst.

“Kelly brings extensive contracting and program management experience to goTenna,” said goTenna's Chief Technology Officer, Charlie Greenbacker. “With a background supporting our customers' mission, combined with a deep understanding of the innovation ecosystem and how the private sector can best position itself to support customers, she will help us develop a robust plan for building our program management team.”

“I’m excited to join goTenna at a time of unprecedented growth and customer demand as goTenna continues developing industry-leading technological capabilities and solutions,” said Pernia. “I’ve spent the past eight years helping companies transition their technology into the hands of mission users, so I’m looking forward to being on the technology side and supporting the mission from a new perspective, surrounded by an incredibly talented and driven team.”