WASHINGTON—Mark Crosby, who left the Industrial Telecommunications Association in February 2001 to become president of Access Spectrum L.L.C., has returned as ITA’s president and chief executive officer. Laura Smith is no longer with the organization.
“Mark’s passion for pursuing and achieving results that benefit not only the ITA membership but the private-wireless industry as a whole are needed more than ever in these times of tremendous change in the regulatory, spectrum and technology landscapes,” said ITA Chairman Rick Smith. “Private-wireless systems are a crucial ingredient in meeting America’s need for continuous improvement in workplace safety and productivity. ITA’s challenge is to assist end users in making the right communication solution decisions by arming them with complete and accurate information. Challenge is what Mark is all about, and we welcome him back to the helm of ITA.” Access Spectrum expressed regret to lose Crosby but said his work with ITA would help the fledgling band-manager organization.
“While we hate to lose Mark, what’s good for the private-wireless industry is good for Access Spectrum,” said Michael Gottdenker, Access Spectrum chairman and CEO.
While at ITA, Crosby spearheaded efforts to have the Federal Communications Commission designate the 700 MHz guard-band spectrum to be used by band managers, which would lease it to others for private-wireless purposes. Access Spectrum won many licenses in the 700 MHz guard band and acquired other licenses in the 200 MHz band.
In an interview with RCR Wireless News, Crosby said both Access Spectrum and the band-manager concept are viable.
“Access Spectrum is doing fine. They are in good hands,” said Crosby. “Is Access Spectrum doing deals? Is it facilitating new technologies at 700 and 200? Yes. I think these are all things that a band manager should do. The 700 band is not necessarily earmarked for traditional products. It can be used for all kinds of solutions. That is exactly what the FCC envisioned, and that is what Access Spectrum is pursuing. The band-manager concept has not fallen flat on its face.”
Crosby previously served as ITA’s president from 1975 to 2001.
In July, ITA announced the departure of Smith, who had served as president and CEO since Crosby left in February 2001. Prior to that, Smith was vice president of regulatory affairs.
With Smith’s departure, Crosby joined as senior policy adviser. He told RCR Wireless News that he welcomes the challenges he faces as he takes over the organization.
“If ITA does well and takes care of business and represents this industry and generates enthusiasm and more passion and elevates awareness that there are meaningful alternatives to commercial, that is good,” said Crosby. “There are a lot of challenges. There is a lot to do, and I like to have a lot to do. It is most pleasant to have been received back so warmly.”
