Summa Four Inc. named Robert A. Degan president and chief executive officer, with responsibility for directing the company’s growth and profitability. He has been a member of Summa Four’s board of directors since 1984. Most recently, Degan was president and CEO of TyLink Corp., a manufacturer of switched digital access products. He also has served as president and CEO of Amnet Inc., Data Switch Corp., Applied Digital Data Systems and Periphonics Corp.
Doug Thompson has been appointed to the newly created position of senior vice president of customer operations for International Billing Services Inc., a subsidiary of USCS International. Thompson will oversee business development, pre-sales support, sales, customer conversions and post-sale management. Prior to joining International Billing Services, Thompson was vice president and general manager of the Pacific Central Customer Business Unit for Xerox.
Mark Nixon is the new director of marketing for Nextel Communications Inc.’s Rocky Mountain market. He replaces Kathleen Bozek, who was promoted to general manager of Nextel’s western Florida market. Nixon will be responsible for new business development, customer service and integrated marketing efforts for a seven-state region. Nixon joins Nextel after serving as director of new business development and promotional planning for VSA Inc., a food products distributor.
Metawave Communications Corp. named Jim McLernon director of field services. He will oversee the installation, service and repair of the company’s multibeam antenna systems. Most recently, McLernon was manager of engineering and network services at Motorola Inc.’s network ventures division. “Jim has successfully managed all phases of wireless system buildout-in all major wireless technologies and in countries throughout the world,” said Hal Carey, Metawave’s vice president of engineering services. “His hands-on experience in network design and deployment are just what Metawave needs as we ready ourselves for a series of international field trials.”
Jonathan D. Foxman is the new vice president and chief operating officer of Americall International L.L.C. Prior to joining the company, he headed the personal communications services and wireless communications consulting practice of BIA Consulting Inc. “Mr. Foxman has worked closely with Americall on several PCS related projects during this past year, and he has proven that his dedication and passion to see Americall succeed is unsurpassed,” said Thomas M. Roskos Jr., president and chief executive officer of Americall. “I firmly believe that this is one of the best business decisions I have ever made.”
The new vice president of human resources for NextWave Telecom Inc. is John F. Hodgson. He previously held the positions of vice president of human resources with General Communications Inc. and director of human resources with OneComm Corp. He will oversee nationwide staffing, compensation and benefits programs, culture development, policies and procedures, human resources strategy, associate relations and learning and development.
Wayne Morris joined TGA Systems Inc. as its vice president and general manager. Morris has served as vice president of sales and marketing for Enhanced Systems, Glenayre Technologies Inc. and BBL Industries. TGA Systems manufactures radio paging terminals, voice/fax/e-mail messaging systems, paging network routers, radio frequency over-the-air monitors, remote trunk concentrators and programmable switches.
Telular Corp. appointed John E. Berndt to its board of directors. He replaces John “Gus” A. Blanchard III as an independent director. Berndt served as president of new business development/multimedia ventures and technologies for Lucent Technologies Inc. and AT&T Corp. before he retired. He had been with AT&T since 1963.
Preferred Networks Inc. announced it has hired Gary E. Park as its vice president of sales. Most recently, Park was vice president of Mobile Telecommunications Technologies Corp./SkyTel Corp. The company also announced Patrick T. Markey has been moved to the position of vice president of marketing. “I am excited about the expanded marketing activities which Pat will lead and the sales leadership Gary Park will bring to our organization,” said Michael J. Saner, president of Preferred Networks.
As part of a reorganization, TeleSite Services L.L.C. has made several personnel adjustments. Bud Finley has been promoted to chairman and chief executive officer. Tracy Gill was promoted to president and chief operating officer. R.D. Saenz is the new executive vice president and chief financial officer. Larry Martin was promoted to senior vice president of corporate operations. New vice presidents of client services are Jett Ricks, Robert Anderson and Roger Church. Drew Basham was promoted to vice president of property management services and client services. Cathy Krufess was promoted to vice president of project design. Ron Toler is now regional manager, and Michael B. Dudley has been promoted to information resources manager.
Harris Corp. has named Pamela Padgett vice president of investor relations, with responsibility for planning and implementing investor relations strategies and programs including communications with shareholders and the investment community. Padgett joins the company after serving as vice president of mergers and acquisitions at MC Financial Services Ltd., a wholly owned investment banking subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corp. Padgett is a certified public accountant with an MBA from the University of North Florida.
