Kevin Goodman became fascinated with physics in the eighth grade, unaware that it was actually setting the stage for his 20-year career as managing director, partner of the managed IT services, data center, and cyber security awareness provider BlueBridge Networks in Playhouse Square.

“Anything that I learned in school, that I use here day-to-day, is from my eighth grade physics teacher,” Goodman says. “I'm not really a science or an engineering guy, but I am a left-brain/right-brain person. I am abstract and I am concrete, and this has served me well here.”

Although he started his professional life on a different path, Goodman joined BlueBridge in February 2005, a year after his brother founded the company.

Kevin GoodmanThe company got its name through a timely phone conversation. "My brother was on a boat on the Cuyahoga river and was on the phone," Goodman relates. "The [person he was talking to asked], 'What are you going to call the company?' My brother looked up and he saw the blue Main Avenue Bridge, and said, 'Blue Bridge.' The concept was the east side, west side and spanning the technology divide. And that's still what we do today."

BlueBridge began as a data center and has grown to be one of the top IT solutions companies in the country. Goodman’s mission is to bridge the technology gap in Cleveland by enhancing the city’s internet infrastructure and ensuring access for everyone.

“Our team continues to deliver best-in-class compliance, security, and technical operational excellence,” Goodman says. “Defending organizations and keeping them highly available, reliable, and compliant bring a particular meaning and purpose to my life.

“Every day is something new to troubleshoot, problem solve or improve,” he continues. “I've worked with many excellent engineers. Our teams are competent and dedicated. After 20 years, it's just as exciting today as day one.”

As BlueBridge celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year, Goodman reflects on how far the company has come, his leadership and support of Cleveland’s arts and cultural anchors, and BlueBridge’s efforts to bridge Cleveland’s digital divide.

A winding path

Working in IT wasn’t Goodman’s original career plan.

In fact, Goodman first had a successful landscaping and construction career that paid his bills and college tuition to study political science at Cleveland State University and later studied law at Cleveland State Law School and public administration at Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs.

After completing his formal education, Goodman says he continued to focus on his career in landscaping and construction.

“I never put on the suit and tie, I was never in the corporate world,” he recalls. “My last project in construction was building [former Cleveland Indians first baseman] Jim Thome's hunting lodge in Peoria, Illinois. That was my trajectory.”

The trajectory’s path went off course in 2003 when, at age 38, Goodman was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. Goodman says his two-year battle to overcome his illness was devastating but ultimately turned into an opportunity.

“When you're in the construction business, you're jack of all trades—from payroll to delivering lumber, to cleaning up the job site to scheduling—it's a big, labor-intensive thing,” he says of his work at the time. “Physically and mentally, it was very difficult, and I couldn't deliver.”

Goodman closed his company and struggled to figure out how he would pay his mortgage and support his family. Ultimately, he turned to his brother for help.

BlueBridge Networks“My brother said, ‘I won't give you money, but I'll give you a job and I'll give you your first month’s paycheck’” Goodman recalls. “And that was enough to stave off the bank.”

Goodman took the offer to work at BlueBridge. “He said to me, ‘What you need to do is bring your training, your college, your arts and science background, the legal time at [law school]—bring that and your customer service and come here and be the customer on the inside, from day one and get things going,” Goodman recalls. “So, I was the guy who irritated and agitated our engineers [by asking them] to explain to me what they think we had and what was the gap and what we really needed.”

Built to last

BlueBridge has become an integral part of Northeast Ohio's tech ecosystem as it has grown.

“When we started out, we were, strictly speaking, a data center and facilitated collocation and hosting of your servers in our data center, and as a facility-based data center operator,” Goodman says of the company’s evolution, noting those core services are still offered. “We are in the business of keeping businesses in business through data center services.”

Today, BlueBridge delivers a variety of products and services, maturing into cloud computing, acting as a managed IT and cybersecurity services provider and a license, hardware, and software reseller.

“Our ability to deliver a full offering of IT solutions helps us reduce costs and improve efficiencies for our customers,” Goodman argues. “We become an augmentation of our customers’ staff. We continue to help customers mature in their business digital transformation in the digital age.”

One of Goodman’s priorities has been to bridge the digital divide in Cleveland’s underserved neighborhoods by working with Digital C to bring digital equity and innovation in Cleveland with high-speed internet solutions and technology education to empower communities.

The company has maintained its relevance by continuously adapting to technological changes while focusing on personalized service. "We've grown in spite of massive growth of the big box cloud providers, we've remained a viable option," Goodman says, adding that BlueBridge is considered best in class in compliance, security, and technical operational excellence.

The blue Main Avenue BridgeAdditionally, BlueBridge boasts an impressive customer retention rate, in the high 90s, Goodman says. The company serves a range of clients—from schools and government entities to accounting and legal firms, manufacturers, and cultural institutions.

BlueBridge has built a stellar reputation, earning recognition in 2018 by CRN as one on the 2018 Tech Elite 250 and the Solution Provider 500 lists. The recognition list is lengthy. “In a digital, web, and data centric world, we are the life blood of a company's infrastructure," Goodman says.

Goodman personally also earned honors. Crain’s Cleveland Business named him one of the 2022 Notable Executives in Technology. Goodman was acknowledged for his community impact at Greater Cleveland Partnership’s 2024 Best of Tech Awards and was awarded the Smart Business Northeast Ohio Pillar Award for Community Service in 2019 and 2023.

Supporting arts and culture

Among BlueBridge’s notable clients are what Goodman calls “Cleveland's Three Gems”—the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Orchestra.

Beyond technology services, BlueBridge is embedded in the community through charitable work and economic development initiatives. Goodman personally supports the arts and culture in Northeast Ohio, while BlueBridge provides digital services.

The love is mutual between Goodman and these Gems.

Cleveland Orchestra

Ryan Buckley, Cleveland Orchestra’s vice president of digital and technology, says Goodman has been a staunch supporter of the Orchestra and the arts who embodies “a spirit of kindness and generosity that extends far beyond financial contributions,” says Buckley. “His unwavering dedication to fostering cultural growth in Cleveland has made a lasting impact on the city's artistic community. Kevin's supportiveness is not just measured in his investments, but in his genuine passion for the transformative power of music and the arts.”

Additionally, Buckley says Goodman has been instrumental in providing reliable, personalized network and IT infrastructure services—ensuring that businesses and organizations can thrive in a digitally connected world.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Tim Parnin, vice president of digital technology for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, is also quick to praise both Goodman and his services.

“I have had the pleasure of partnering with Kevin Goodman and the talented team of network engineers at BlueBridge Networks for several years, and their expertise in IT services has been invaluable. says Parnin. "Their full range of Cloud, network, and cybersecurity services, and deep industry knowledge, have made them a trusted partner at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I recommend BlueBridge Networks to anyone seeking top-tier IT support and solutions."

Cleveland Museum of Art

CMA chief digital information officer Jane Alexander says both Goodman and BlueBridge have been steadfast supporters of CMA’s Digital Innovation and Technology Services.

“Kevin and his team are not just service providers; they are personally invested in our success, embracing every challenge with flexibility, problem-solving ingenuity, and a genuine sense of partnership,” she says.

Alexander praises BlueBridge’s commitment to securing the museum’s collections.

“BlueBridge Networks' generosity has been vital to the success of CMA’s award-winning Open Access program, which would not be possible without their exceptional storage systems,” she explains. “By ensuring that our technology infrastructure is robust and reliable, Kevin and his team allow me to focus on enhancing the visitor experiences that make the Cleveland Museum of Art internationally renowned.”

Alexander calls her work with Goodman a privilege, noting his community and philanthropic contributions.

The next chapter

As BlueBridge completes its 20^th year, Goodman is now focused on succession planning while maintaining the company's commitment to excellence.

"When I leave, whoever, whatever comes next should be a better version of me," he says. "I want to leave this facility...put it in its proper place to maintain and grow. That's my next chapter here, and I want to deepen my bonds in the community.”