
Idea3 is where Steve applies 20+ years of enterprise experience to help growing teams align vision, tech, and leadershi
Steven McPherson is a visionary technology strategist, business builder, and leadership coach with over two decades of experience driving innovation at the intersection of cloud computing, AI, and organizational transformation. As a Principal Specialist at Microsoft, Steven led national strategy and field execution across healthcare, state and local government, and regulated industries. He helped drive enterprise-wide adoption of Microsoft Azure and AI, focusing on mission-critical workloads and executive advisory for cloud transformation.
Key accomplishments at Microsoft:
Steven’s earlier career is defined by scaling new business lines and turning early-stage initiatives into major revenue engines. At Network Equipment Technologies (acquired by Sonus), he grew the Central Region business from under $1,000/month to over $40 million in annual revenue. His portfolio included Microsoft UC mediation services, broadband infrastructure to rural ISPs, and analog-to-IP services for hospitality, prisons, and point-of-access networks. Later, as a strategic leader for a Microsoft Unified Communications partner, Steven led the architecture and delivery of a first-of-its-kind enterprise-grade telephone cloud and contact center platform, guiding the organization through a successful transition from project-based work to a recurring revenue model.
Business transformation milestones:
Steven is also Co-Founder of Rima Systems and Founder of Level-Up for a Cure, two mission-driven ventures born from his passion for innovation and impact. Rima Systems is an AI security startup focused on autonomous data governance and compliance automation. Level-Up for a Cure is a nonprofit created in memory of his son Ryan, leveraging community gaming and golf tournaments to raise money for cancer research. Steven brings deep empathy, systems thinking, and a coach’s mindset to every role — helping people and organizations lead with purpose and transform with confidence.
Philanthropy and innovation highlights:
🚀 Epic on Azure (Microsoft | Healthcare Transformation):
Led go-to-market and field strategy for Microsoft’s partnership with Epic Systems, enabling healthcare organizations to modernize mission-critical workloads in the cloud.
→ Proud because it brought lasting impact to patients and clinicians, showcasing how cloud and AI can serve real human needs at scale.
📈 $40M Regional Growth at Network Equipment Technologies:
Built a Central Region business from <$1K/month to over $40M/year by developing three high-impact service lines: Microsoft UC mediation, rural ISP broadband, and analog-to-IP telecom.
→ Proud because it proved Steve could scale a business from the ground up with grit, strategy, and customer-first thinking.
🛠️ Cloud Platform Shift for Microsoft UC Partner:
Architected and delivered the company’s first cloud-based enterprise voice and contact center platform, helping pivot the business from project-based to fully recurring revenue.
→ Proud because it blended deep tech with business mode
Idea3
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