Our Leadership Team

Brient's career spans over 40 years of innovation across three industries: dairy, advertising and media, and computer hardware and software.

Brient began his career at Mayfield Dairy Farms, a successful family dairy products company, where he also served on its Board of Directors until the company was acquired by Dean Foods in 1991.

Brient's technology companies developed computer systems for food product formulation, process control, financial management, and route optimization. Brient also co-founded 13-30 Corporation, the predecessor to Whittle Communications.

At Whittle Communications, Brient was Vice President and Publisher of the magazine, Tennessee Illustrated. Brient founded Optimal Answers, and the Optimal family of innovative decision optimization software solutions is his vision. Brient has a Bachelor's degree in Dairy Manufacturing from the University of Tennessee.

Linda has built a diverse forty-year career spanning ski instruction to marketing consulting, all while raising four children. She serves on multiple boards, has entrepreneurial experience, spent ten years at Delta Air Lines, and co-owns a medical device consulting firm.

Raised in Evanston, IL, and Lake Geneva, WI, Linda graduated with a BA from the University of Wyoming. Two cross-country moves, first to Salt Lake City, Utah, and then to Gulfport, MS, gave her a unique perspective and the ability to embrace change.

Linda holds multiple roles at Optimal Answers, including serving as VP of People & Culture and company spokesperson.

Bill is the development leader of the Optimal product. He has extensive experience developing optimization-based software solutions and is an expert in Microsoft technologies.

Bill was a development manager for a process control company and previously worked at the Oak Ridge National Lab, where he managed software teams and contracted projects with private companies.

Bill has a BS in Aerospace Engineering, a JD, and an MBA from the University of Tennessee.

Steve brings a wealth of experience and expertise accumulated over two decades of dedicated service in the Air Force, followed by impactful roles within federal executive agencies and the private sector.

With a 20-year tenure in the Air Force, Steve served as Chief of Communications and Information Technology, where his leadership was pivotal in advancing critical infrastructure and strategic communications capabilities.

Steve has a Bachelor of Science in IT–Systems Development and an MBA with a concentration in IT Management, Capella University.