Kenneth L. Means

With a background deeply rooted in telephony and messaging applications, Ken was recognized as one of the industry’s true pioneers in business communications. Throughout his career, he garnered a wealth of knowledge and solutions that have proven indispensable in the ever-evolving business landscape. Ken’s expertise spanned a wide spectrum, from PBX installation to message and network server design, earning him numerous awards and certifications for maintaining a vast array of equipment.

In addition to his remarkable telecommunications career, Ken’s recent five-year tenure as President of Means, Inc. demonstrated his adaptability and leadership in a different industry. Under his guidance, Means, Inc. has thrived as a reputable car sales and collision repair facility, along with offering car and truck rental services.

Ken’s unique blend of experience in both the messaging and automotive sectors positioned him as a versatile and forward-thinking professional. His keen understanding of past, present, and future business communication needs allowed him to grasp paradigm shifts better than most in the country.

Born on Aug. 31, 1955 in DuBois, PA. to George Jr. and Carol (Ashenfelter) Means, he was the eldest son of five children in the Means family. A 1974 graduate of Warren Area High School, followed by some college coursework was the start of his career journey. Early employment included The Warren Times-Observer, Loranger Manufacturing, and then a small start-up communications firm, Choice Communications, Inc. all located in Warren, PA. He mastered the nuances of large NEC PBX phone systems and networking interfaces mainly for large VA-hospitals located in Ohio, Louisiana, and then Texas which led to his employment as a field engineer for Siemens Corp. It was at Siemens where he began his path in voicemail technology. In late 1999, he partnered with Les Oldam, financial and sales expert, Robert St Clair, operations titan, and Ken as product development and field engineer which led to their founding Telephony Solutions Interface, known as TEL-IS, Inc. based in Abilene, TX with offices in the DFW Metroplex in 2001. TEL-IS specialized in voicemail and business networking platforms. The company serviced major corporate clientele, allowing Ken the ability to travel extensively through 5 continents, fostering his wanderlust to experience new places and things. Ken was recognized as one of the industry’s true pioneers in business communications.

In 2018 family circumstances had Ken return to Warren, PA and assume the operations of Means, Inc. In late 2022, he assumed the role as President for Means, Inc. He was a member of Moose Lodge 109.

While at Loranger Mfg, Ken met his wife of 44 years, Frances (Fran Neely) Jespersen and married her as a “Package” becoming not only husband but step-father to three beautiful little boys. He is survived by his wife, Fran and his sons, Timothy, wife Virginia of San Angelo, TX, Dana and partner Miranda of Sevierville, TN, and Andrew, and wife Sharon of Pearland, TX, as well as grandsons, Wyatt and Gibson of Pea Ridge, AR, and Shaydon, Mason and granddaughter, Sydney in Sevierville, TN. Pop-Pop will be sadly missed. Also surviving are his siblings, Cindy Garrison, husband Robert and Robyn Edwards, husband Tim of Warren, PA, and Len Means and partner Deb of Russell, PA as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Ken is proceeded in death by his parents, George Jr., and Carol Means, and a sister, Cheryl Means Nuhfer. A memorial will be held at 1 pm Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the First Lutheran Church, 109 W. Third Ave., Warren PA. All are welcomed to come and share his life with our family. Memorials may be directed to The American Heart Association or charity of your choice. Many thanks to the Harper Funeral Home, San Angelo, TX www.harper-funeralhome.com for their assistance.