OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill.-John “Jack” Goeken announced his resignation as chairman and chief executive officer at In-Flight Phone Corp., the air-to-ground telecommunications service he founded in 1989.
“Now that most of the major challenges associated with a start-up company have been solved and strong partners have joined IFPC, I feel this is the time for me to pursue new opportunities in the emerging wireless and information industries,” Goeken said.
Phil Bakes, an In-Flight director and former president of Continental Airlines and Eastern Airlines, has been selected as the new chairman, president and chief executive officer of both In-Flight and its parent company, the Goeken Group Corp.
“I brought competition to the long-distance marketplace and now I would like to help bring competition to the local telephone monopolies,” Goeken said.
In addition to In-Flight, Goeken founded MCI Communications Corp., FTD Mercury Network, CML Satellite Corp. and Airfone.
In-Flight said it holds contracts with four airlines to provide its digital FlightLink system on nearly 1,000 commercial aircraft. The service offers passengers digital telephony, games, in-flight shopping, car rental and airline reservations.