WASHINGTON-When the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association moves into its new headquarters Jan. 20, there will be a new team in place, said CTIA President Steve Largent, confirming to RCR Wireless News that four senior executives have been laid off this week in addition to Monday’s announcement about Brian Kidney being hired as chief operating officer.
“The move presents a great transition point for us, and that’s why the events of this week are occurring. I wanted to allow enough time for me to review the organization and allow the holidays to pass as well,” Largent told RCR Wireless News Thursday morning.
The layoffs and Kidney’s hire represent significant changes in organizational structure. Under former president Thomas Wheeler, CTIA had four senior vice presidents. It appears that Largent will have none, although titles and an organizational chart are still being developed.
“An organizational chart will not be drawn until the conclusion of Mr. Largent’s 90-day review. It will conclude within the next couple of weeks,” said CTIA spokesman Travis Larson. “Having come from Congress, Mr. Largent is more comfortable with the chief-of-staff organizational structure that is common on Capitol Hill.” Kidney is that chief of staff.
Let go this week were Christina Martin, senior vice president for public affairs and communications; Jo-Anne Basile, vice president for external and industry relations; Kathryn Condello, vice president of industry operations; and Christopher Putala, vice president of congressional affairs.
Basile’s departure comes as the industry is basking in the light of winning litigation regarding the negative health impacts of cellular-phone use. She was CTIA’s point person on this issue. It is unclear who will handle this issue if it comes up again, but Largent indicated that CTIA will still respond to health questions. It is also unclear who will handle homeland-security issues for CTIA because that was a main area of Condello’s portfolio.
“Some of the issues are more mature and can be competently handled by more junior members of CTIA,” said Largent. “It was my view that CTIA was top-heavy.”
Putala’s exit was not surprising; he was close to Wheeler. Steven Berry, former senior vice president of government affairs, left for a lobbying job with the National Cable Television Association shortly after Largent started Nov. 3.
Michael Altschul, senior vice president and general counsel, and John Windolph, senior vice president for business development, remain at the trade group.
Largent would neither confirm nor deny any other changes because he said he wanted to make sure that everyone heard directly from him rather than in the press. Referring to his days in the National Football League, he said he abhorred it when players heard about changes on the radio.
“It was the right thing to do that I tell people face to face, and the first person to hear it was the person I told. The fact is that nobody knew about the personnel decisions to be made except me,” said Largent.
While it is not surprising when a new leader changes staff, Largent said when he was hired last year that no changes were imminent. By waiting two months to make the changes, he believes he is keeping his word.
“There has been no shifting in positions. This totally conforms with everything that I said from day one-that I would take 60 to 90 days to review the organization, and that I would engage in a thoughtful process rather than having a fire-ready-aim approach. I wanted it be to ready-aim-fire when it came to our organization.”
CTIA will move into its new headquarters at 1400 16th Street NW after the close of business Jan. 16. Because Monday, Jan. 19, is a federal holiday-Martin Luther King Day-CTIA will resume operations Tuesday, Jan. 20. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses will remain the same.
