Episode 35: Stewart Swanson ‘85
Retired Technology Sales Executive | Global Business Builder | Growth & Innovation Leader
D. Stewart Swanson is a retired technology sales executive whose career spans more than 36 years in global high-technology sales. He has built a distinguished record of driving growth, forging industry-defining partnerships, and delivering transformative results for some of the world’s most recognized technology companies.
Career Highlights:
Cisco Systems – Secured multimillion-dollar enterprise and corporate orders in internet networking, cybersecurity software, and Internet-of-Things solutions, while building strategic channel partnerships across diverse markets.
Nortel Networks – Helped position Nortel as the 7th largest capitalized company in the world and a pioneer in digital telecom networks, earning over $4B in global carrier purchase orders.
Qualcomm – Partnered with Apple during its entry into the cellular industry and helped pioneer the first mobile banking and mobile payments app, as well as the first mobile app store.
Acme Packet & Jasper Wireless – Provided key sales leadership during hyper-growth phases, with both companies achieving $1B+ “unicorn” exits.
Firethorn, Numerex, Paradyne/Zhone Technologies, and Standard Telephone Company – Demonstrated proven success in solution sales, early-stage growth, market expansion, and customer acquisition.
Swanson earned his Computer Science degree from the University of North Georgia, where he also served in the Corps of Cadets. He later obtained an MBA from Mercer University and completed executive leadership programs at Duke University, Emory University, and the London Business School. This combination of military-style leadership training and advanced global education equipped him with both the discipline and strategic vision to navigate complex markets, scale disruptive technologies, and drive international growth.
Throughout his career, Swanson combined deep technical insight with client-focused strategy to deliver exceptional sales growth, enhance corporate value, and foster long-term customer relationships. He thrives at the intersection of innovation, market timing, and execution—bringing transformative technologies to scale.
Now in early retirement, Swanson continues to apply his expertise through advisory, board, and community leadership roles. He serves on the boards of the UNG Foundation, the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Foxfire Fund. At the University of North Georgia, he provides philanthropic support across the College of Science and Mathematics, the College of Business, the Evergreen Learning Center, multiple student scholarships, the Cadet Leadership Academy, and the Student Success Center. In addition, he chairs the STEM Advisory Board for the College of Science and Mathematics.