May 29th, 2019, 3:00 pm PT / Category: Interviews
New technology that is revolutionizing language support and access to demographic data.
David Rhodes
David Rhodes, VP of Innovations at Akorbi, oversees the development, deployment, maintenance and operations of the various technologies used by Akorbi’s family of companies. Most notably, David’s team oversees the ADAPT platform.
Through ADAPT clients enjoy immediate access to video and audio interpreters, convenient scheduling of onsite interpreters as well as simplified translation project management. Over his 20-year career, David has developed a diverse knowledge base.
As CEO of VRI Direct (a provider of video remote interpretation technology) David delivered one of the first SaaS video interpreting technology to the market of language companies. As Director of Operations for LifeLinks Video Interpretation Services, David coordinated and achieved 24/7/365 services for VRS and VRI language services. As owner of D.W. Rhodes Interpreting Services, David leveraged relationships with other interpreters to coordinate and deliver services to a variety of clients.
David comes to Akorbi with a wealth of experience in operations management, business development, B2B sales, contract negotiations and enterprise-wide software implementation, as well as diverse business functions. David has Bachelor of Science degrees in both Process Management and Marketing, as well as a Masters in Business Administration from Arizona State University. He was also a nationally certified ASL interpreter for 18 years.
Kenneth Anders
Kenneth (Ken) Anders, COO of Akorbi, has engaged in an array of character building and knowledge development roles from cryptographic intelligence with the U.S. military to executive roles within Fortune 500 companies such as Walt Disney, Raytheon and Misys Healthcare Systems to start up language service companies like CyraCom International.
Ken entered the language industry as the first President and CEO for CyraCom engineering a blueprint for success introducing disruptive technology with the first dual handset phone and has had an impeccable track record since. He helped introduce video technology to the market for Language Line Services and led the development of global language contact centers both in the U.S. and abroad as COO for a division of TransPerfect, (a $550M linguistic services company).
Ken is and has been member of national and international organizations and is a frequent key note speaker at industry conferences. With a passion for helping others, Ken has been a champion in the Language Services industry developing infrastructure for organizations like the International Medical Interpreters Association and the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters helping them achieve their objectives to insure the limited English proficient, and deaf and hard-of-Hearing populations receive quality care and services. Ken is committed to quality and expansion of interpreting standards across languages and served for four years as the Vice-Chair of the National Board as well as Treasurer. His efforts were partly responsible for recognition by U.S. representatives of the need for reimbursable expenses for language services in healthcare an effort still moving forward today.
Throughout his career, Ken also served and continues to serve on several non-profit boards both as advisor, Director and Officer.
As a seasoned executive with experience in business management, technology, Board governance, NPO, compliance and consulting. He brings a wealth of expertise with strengths in areas such as operational efficiency, concepts and development, technology integration and design, contract negotiation and management, and new product start-ups. Ken has solid domestic and international experience working within large corporations as well as direct oversight of new ventures.
