WASHINGTON—The Telecommunications Industry Association looked inside and chose Grant Seiffert to succeed Matthew Flanigan as president beginning Jan.1.
Seiffert has worked his way up the TIA organization ladder after leaving Capitol Hill in 1996. He is currently executive vice president of the organization.
Flanigan announced his retirement after 12 years at the helm of the telecommunications-equipment trade association at TIA’s board meeting last month, according to a statement.
“Matt Flanigan’s service to TIA has been marked by unparalleled leadership on behalf of telecommunications equipment and services companies,” said TIA Chairman Van Cullens, who is also president and chief executive officer of Westell Technologies Inc. “TIA has been a constant resource and stalwart advocate of the needs of hundreds of TIA’s information communications and technology companies operating in an industry driven by innovation and change.”
While Flanigan was president and CEO of Cognitronics Corp., he was a member of TIA’s board. He served as chairman in 1990 and became TIA president in 1994.
Seiffert worked for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for five years before joining TIA.
“TIA is poised to continue its role as the leading advocate for telecommunications equipment and services companies intent on competing in the global information, communications and entertainment-technology industry,” said Cullens.
Seiffert takes over as TIA reshapes its annual trade show, Globalcomm, which debuted in June.
Trade shows are moneymakers for many Washington, D.C.-based trade associations, which market themselves as the voice of an industry and stand as the lobbying force for that industry. Without a successful trade show, there are fewer resources to wage successful lobbying campaigns on policy issues of importance.
