Jeff Black

Role: Network Infrastructure Specialist, Internet Integration
Affiliation: ExecNet Contributor
Years Active: Since the early days of ExecNet (circa 1986)

Jeff Black was a core technical contributor to ExecNet, having been involved with the system almost since its inception. While his work may not have been immediately visible to end users dialing in over a modem, Jeff Black played a vital role in building and maintaining the networking infrastructure that powered ExecNet’s internet integration.

His primary focus areas included:

  • Managing the networking backend of ExecNet
  • Ensuring stable and secure internet connectivity
  • Supporting the system’s expansion beyond dial-up, particularly as ExecNet adapted to early internet protocols like SLIP/PPP, telnet, FTP, and gopher

Much of ExecNet’s ability to connect users to worldwide resources — at a time when BBS systems were still mostly local — was made possible through Jeff Black’s behind-the-scenes work.

Though not always in the spotlight, his contributions were essential to ExecNet’s reputation as a technically advanced and globally connected BBS system. His work helped bridge the gap between traditional BBS communication and the rising potential of the early internet.

Technical Contributions:

  • Played a lead role in setting up and maintaining ExecNet’s LAN and WAN capabilities
  • Managed and upgraded SLIP/PPP access, giving users full internet connectivity alongside traditional dial-up access
  • Oversaw the integration of shell accounts, FTP, gopher, and Usenet gateways
  • Managed Class C IP address allocations registered through ARIN, ensuring proper routing, assignment, and compliance during ExecNet’s early internet operations
  • Later coordinated the transition of IP address stewardship to Thomas Juliano as network administration responsibilities evolved
  • Ensured seamless, stable performance during periods of high system load and growth

Behind-the-Scenes Operations:

Jeff Black was known as the person who “made the lights stay on.”
He maintained the backbone of the system — from routing tables and modem banks to firewalls, domain-level configuration, and registered IP address space.

“While much of his work may not have been visible to users over the modem, many of the world-wide connections they accessed were made possible by him.”

Legacy:

Jeff’s dedication helped make ExecNet not only a BBS but also a hybrid technical utility, combining traditional message boards with early internet services. His stewardship of core infrastructure — including IP address management and network routing — helped ensure long-term continuity as responsibilities transitioned to the next generation of administrators.

Though he rarely engaged in chat on the system itself, his contributions were indispensable — and remain part of the foundation that ExecNet was built upon.

The Technology Behind ExecNet