Lucent Technologies announced it promoted Richard McGinn, current president and chief operating officer, to chief executive officer, effective immediately. McGinn, 51, will replace Henry Schacht, 63, who will remain as chairman. McGinn has been with the company for two years and has a combined 28 years experience in the global communications systems and technology industry. “Rich and I have had a unique and very productive partnership as we jointly led the creation of Lucent over the past two years,” Schacht said.
BellSouth Corp.’s board of directors announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Duane Ackerman will become chairman of the board of directors, effective Dec. 31, succeeding John Clendenin, who is retiring. Clendenin will be given the honorary title of chairman emeritus. BellSouth also announced several personnel changes, promoting three executives, of which two were elected as new officers. C.S. “Sid” Boren, former senior vice president of corporate planning and development, was promoted to executive staff officer. William Pate was promoted to vice president of advertising and public relations and elected an officer, and Robert Capell III was named vice president of corporate planning and elected an officer. Krista Tillman also was elected an officer.
Western Communications named Kasey O. Thompson sales representative, with responsibility for overall sales of two-way radio equipment and accessories for eastern Oregon and southern and western Idaho. Thompson most recently owned his own construction firm and has eight years experience in sales.
Terry Nelson joined Cellcom as the indirect distribution manager, with responsibility for indirect and nontraditional cellular distribution channels in Cellcom’s seven markets in Wisconsin and Iowa. Before joining the company, Nelson worked for American Medical Security, with responsibility for developing MIS system enhancements and developing workflow processes.
Cynthia Harris is the new retail manager at NPI Wireless. She will be responsible for sales and daily operations of the new NPI Wireless retail site in Traverse City, Mich. Harris’ experience includes retail operations and hospitality management.
Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc. named Cathy Kreutzer new product trainer. Her responsibilities will include on-site product training and support for Mitsubishi Wireless’ retail and carrier sales force. Her territories include Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Prior to joining the company, Kreutzer was a retail sales specialist for Pacific Bell Mobile Services.
Real Time Strategies named Alvin L. Ring president and chief executive officer. He succeeds Jay Moskowitz, who assumed the position of chairman and chief technical officer. Ring, who joined the company in June, already has developed a new corporate strategy for Real Time Strategies and short- and long-term marketing and sales strategies designed to increase the company’s exposure in the wireless messaging industry.
General Magic Inc. appointed Linda Hayes vice president of marketing, with responsibility for all strategic and outbound marketing efforts including the upcoming launch of the company’s new communications and information service. Hayes joins the company from Pretty Good Privacy Inc., where she was vice president of marketing.
Price Communications Corp.’s board of directors elected Ashley Dixon vice president and corporate secretary. Dixon previously had worked in the corporate communications department at Quick & Reilly and before that had been an assistant to the president of PriCellular Corp. “We are well aware of her skills with the fundamentals of both investor relations and the cellular industry,” said Robert Price, president of Price Communications. “Her agreeing to re-join our group will benefit both shareholders and bondholders who will be seeking information from her on a regular basis.”
