ITA
The Industrial Telecommunications Association said it appointed Laura Leigh Smith executive director, government relations. She formerly was deputy division chief (legal) in the public safety and private wireless division of the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Smith will be responsible for representing interests of ITA members in federal regulatory and legislative matters, including monitoring, research, lobbying, communicating and preparing appropriate presentations for the association and its affiliated market councils. During her tenure with the FCC, Smith also served as associate branch chief of the policy and rules branch in the wireless bureau’s commercial wireless division, senior attorney of the policy and rules branch and attorney/adviser in the Mass Media Bureau’s audio services division.
Airadigm
Airadigm Communications Inc. named Patrick Markey president and chief operating officer, in charge of driving the company’s sales and marketing efforts, strategic planning, developing third-party alliances, managing product development and overseeing day-to-day operations. Markey comes to Airadigm from Atlanta-based Preferred Networks Inc., where he served as vice president of marketing and sales. He also served as COO of Solo America of Greenville, S.C. Markey’s background includes alternate channel distribution, sales force management, direct sales, budgeting, forecasting and operations.
Rural Cellular
Rural Cellular Corp. announced several executive appointments. Wesley Schultz was named senior vice president finance and administration and chief financial officer; Frederick Hibbler was named vice president/chief information officer; and David DelZoppo was promoted to vice president, controller. Schultz joined the company as vice president finance/CFO in May 1996. He has more than 18 years experience in finance, accounting, and administrative and human resources management. DelZoppo, a certified public accountant, brings to RCC two decades experience in accounting and strategic planning, working with both private and government sectors. Hibbler previously served as general manager, Universal Wireless Communications Consortium at Global Mobility Systems.
WLL International
WLL International Inc. said David Leonard joined the company as president and chief executive officer. He previously held the same positions at UIH Latin America. Leonard has spent 18 years in the cable TV and telephone businesses. WLL International was formed in June to provide fixed wireless local loop voice, Internet and other data services to secondary markets in Latin America.
Lawrence Behr
Lawrence Behr Associates Inc. hired Michael Hayden as director of engineering services. He is expected to play a key role in the company’s strategy and implementation of wireless telecom engineering services. Hayden has held positions with VMH Communications Group, Bosch Corp. and the Kleinknecht Organization. Lawrence Behr provides tower-site acquisition and other maintenance and management services.
AirGate Wireless
AirGate Wireless L.L.C. named Jack R. Kimzey chief executive officer. Kimzey founded ProNet Inc. and, as chairman and chief executive officer, played an integral role in the company’s merger with Metrocall Inc. As head of AirGate Wireless, Kimzey leads the company as it prepares to launch personal communications services during the first half of next year in a coverage area from North Carolina through South Carolina to Georgia. AirGate Wireless is the exclusive market provider of Sprint PCS products and services in the region, which has a population of 6.8 million.
Advanced Radio Telecom
Robert McCambridge has joined Advanced Radio Telecom Corp. as executive vice president and chief financial officer. His experience includes general and financial management, most recently as executive vice president of OneComm, formerly Cable Plus Holding Co. McCambridge previously was treasurer and vice president of corporate development for Control Data Corp. He also has experience in investment banking with technology companies.
Price Communications
Price Communications Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of Price Communications Corp., promoted John Norris to vice president of network operations, a newly created position. Norris joined the company in 1990, and most recently was manager of technical operations, managing cell site construction and planning.
PageNet
Paging Network Inc. named J. Barry Duncan vice president and controller. Duncan will manage PageNet’s financial accounting, corporate tax and external-reporting functions. He also will be responsible for payroll, accounts payable, inventory and fixed assets. Duncan rejoins PageNet after two years with Unisource Worldwide as vice president of finance, southwest region. He previously served at PageNet as corporate controller from May 1995 to October 1996.
Glenayre
Glenayre Technologies Inc. announced Stanley Ciepcielinski was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer, a newly created position, and Amir Zoufonoun was named general manager of the Glenayre Western Multiplex operating division. Previously the company’s chief financial officer, Ciepcielinski has been acting COO since early in the third quarter, the company said. He was appointed CFO in 1993. The company said Ciepcielinski will serve as acting CFO until it finds a replacement.
Zoufonoun joined Western Multiplex Corp. in 1989, serving in management positions of increasing responsibility through Glenayre’s purchase of that company in 1995, and most recently was vice president of engineering.
