Andy Keeves

Role: Founder and System Operator of ExecNet
Founded: 1986
Expertise: Networking, System Administration, BBS Development
Based In: Mount Vernon, New York

Andy Keeves is a pioneering figure in early online networking and bulletin board systems (BBS). In 1986, he founded ExecNet, a LAN-focused BBS system that became one of the leading platforms for network professionals during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

As an expert in networking and system administration, Andy Keeves built ExecNet to serve as a resource hub for LAN administrators, IT professionals, and software developers. The platform grew rapidly, evolving into a commercial online service known for its advanced third-party add-ons, file sharing, and technical discussions.

Background & Career:

Before launching ExecNet, Andy Keeves had already accumulated years of experience in the computer industry, working with mainframes, minicomputers, and early microcomputers. His expertise included:

  • Novell NetWare integration
  • LAN and WAN networking
  • BBS software configuration
  • Early internet connectivity (SLIP/PPP and shell services)

He also co-founded Cyllon Systems International, Ltd., which later managed ExecNet before its acquisition by Image’fx Productions, Inc.

Creation of ExecNet:

Founded: 1986
Original Purpose: A bulletin board system (BBS) for LAN professionals.
Technology: Initially operated using Novell NetWare on 8088-based systems.

1986, Andy Keeves launched ExecNet as a local area network (LAN) support platform for sysadmins, developers, and networking professionals. Built on PCBoard software and initially run on 8088-based systems with Novell NetWare, the system quickly became a highly respected tool for:

  • File sharing and technical software distribution
  • Messaging and collaborative support forums
  • Hosting third-party add-ons for enterprise IT environments

ExecNet distinguished itself from hobbyist BBSes by offering practical tools and serious infrastructure tailored for professional users. It was widely adopted by network engineers seeking centralized access to system utilities, peer support, and vendor-neutral discussion spaces.

Andy Keeves personally designed and implemented:

  • ExecNet’s multi-line BBS infrastructure
  • The software library, which went on to win a Dvorak Telecommunications Award
  • Automation tools and internal scripts for user management and message handling
  • Advanced file upload/download processing and custom PCBoard Enhancements

ExecNet quickly gained traction among network administrators who needed tools, discussions, and software enhancements for their systems. It became a key platform for early networking innovations, providing:

  • PC Board software add-ons to improve system capabilities.
  • Technical support and collaboration for IT specialists.
  • A growing online community before the rise of modern forums and the web.
Sysop Philosophy:

Andy Keeves famously said, “Callers are customers.”
He believed in putting users first and actively encouraged feedback, often implementing user-requested features within days.

Although online chats with him were rare (he was usually working behind the scenes), users always felt his presence through the system’s polish, structure, and responsiveness.

Behind-the-Scenes Architect:

While users often saw his name online, Andy Keeves was known for operating mostly behind the scenes, rarely available for live chats but always present in design and execution. He was directly responsible for:

  • ExecNet’s technical framework and platform design
  • Integrating networking features with modem-based and LAN access
  • Writing and managing software utilities and automation tools
  • Keeping the system operational during critical expansion phases

His years in the tech industry gave him both the insight to build ExecNet and the discipline to maintain it as a mission-critical resource.

National Recognition and Growth:

Under Andy Keeves leadership, ExecNet earned national attention and user loyalty:

  • Its file collection won the Dvorak Telecommunications Award for Excellence
  • It was featured in PC World, Byte Magazine, Business Week, PC Week, and Boardwatch Magazine (April 1996)
  • It appeared on major news broadcasts on CBS, NBC, ABC, and CNN

The system became one of the few platforms to successfully blend traditional BBS features with internet-era services — such as SLIP/PPP connectivity, FTP, and shell-based email access — all within a cohesive user experience.

Transition & Acquisition:

As the internet expanded, BBS platforms like ExecNet faced decline. Instead of shutting down, the system was acquired by Image’FX Productions Inc., owned by Thomas Juliano, in the late 1990s. Under Thomas Juliano’s ownership, ExecNet’s resources and user base were integrated into Image’FX’s services, preserving part of its legacy.

While Andy Keeves eventually stepped away from ExecNet, his contributions to early online networking remain a significant part of BBS history.

Contributions to Technology:

Andy Keeves key contributions include:

  • Building infrastructure for early peer-to-peer IT support
  • Promoting open distribution of custom BBS and PCBoard utilities
  • Establishing one of the first technically-focused online platforms for sysadmins and IT professionals
  • Developing a platform for technical collaboration – Enabling system administrators to share tools, troubleshoot issues, and enhance networking technologies.
  • Promoting third-party software integration – Helping shape how custom software add-ons were distributed in early computing communities.
Later Years & Legacy:

While Andy Keeves has remained largely out of the spotlight in later years, his impact is widely recognized in BBS and IT history communities. ExecNet is still remembered as a technically sophisticated and professionally focused BBS — a rare hybrid that served both as a functional tool and a model for collaborative tech support environments.

Without Andy Keeves, there would be no ExecNet. His vision and persistence helped pave the way for many of the digital communication platforms we take for granted today.

After departing from ExecNet, Andy Keeves remained in the technology space, though details about his later ventures are limited. His impact on early networking communities continues to be recognized among BBS historians and veteran IT professionals.

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