Frank Cucco had a vision of flourishing growth when he co-founded Impact Networking in 1999. Now, as the second quarter of the century gets underway and the dealer embarks on its 25-year anniversary, the mantle has been passed to the next generation of leadership, tasked to continue that vision.
January signified something of a coming out party for Michael Lepper. He was introduced as the new CEO of Impact Networking at both the Executive Connection Summit in Arizona and the Lake Forest, Illinois-based dealer’s all-company meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Joining Lepper at the top of the Impact executive ticket is Anthony Cucco, the new chief operating officer.
Combined with CFO Jeff Miller, the trio assume the helm from the elder Cucco and former president Dan Meyer, who will assume roles with the newly established board of directors. The board will also include former EVP Tom Pieters and Timothy Weilandt.
The CEO role is the culmination of a 15-year career for Lepper, who has held numerous sales and managerial positions at Impact. A 2010 Northern Illinois University graduate, he earned a BA in organizational/corporate communications. Lepper became a partner in 2016 and was most recently a senior vice president.
Lepper is tasked with driving Impact to be a billion-dollar dealership, which is unprecedented in the industry. He is ready to shoulder the weight of expectation.
“Impact has been a cornerstone in my life, and I hope I’ve played a meaningful role in helping this company grow and evolve,” Lepper said. “Change can be challenging, but it also brings incredible potential. I know there are big shoes to fill, but my promise to Frank and the team is that I won’t let them down.
“Every day isn’t easy—we face challenges and adversity—but by staying true to our values and making thoughtful decisions, we can continue to take care of our people, support our customers, and create opportunities for everyone as we move forward,” he added.
With Lepper and Cucco’s son, Anthony, calling the shots, the elder Cucco sees 2025 triggering a rebirth of excitement, passion, determination, and discipline at the dealership. “With younger voices and new ideas shaping our future, I am excited to see how the next generation will continue to advance our goals,” he said. “The possibilities ahead are endless, and the best is yet to come.”
Anthony Cucco previous served as director of operations. A graduate of Penn State who obtained an MBA at Northwestern University, he became full-time in 2020 after spending collegiate summers at Impact as an intern.
“It is an honor to take on this opportunity. Impact is a special company, and I wouldn’t want to build a career anywhere else,” Anthony Cucco said. “My number-one goal is to lead the company with strong morals, consistent values, and unmatched purpose. In the end, it is all about our people: our team members, our communities, and our clients. We are here to make an impact on all three.”
Miller has spent the last decade in the finance department and the past three years as CFO. He was named a partner at Impact last month, along with Chief Strategy Officer Ashley Carnes.
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About Impact Networking
Impact Networking is a national managed service provider that offers managed IT, cybersecurity, digital transformation, marketing, and print services to businesses. Founded in 1999, Impact helps businesses compete at the highest levels of their industry by providing the technology, expertise, and resources needed to bring their biggest ideas to fruition. Impact employs 950 experts and supports businesses from 24 locations.
