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Kristin Rinne, Cingular Wireless L.L.C.’s chief technology officer, has been elected the 2005 chairwoman of the 3G America’s board of governors. Rinne succeeds former AT&T Wireless Services Inc. CTO Rod Nelson, who served as 3G America’s chairperson for the past two years.

French supplier Alcatel Corp. appointed Olivier Baujard its new chief technology officer. The company said current CTO Niel Ransom is leaving the company. Baujard has been serving as Alcatel’s vice president of corporate strategy.

Daniel Phythyon, former chief of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, has been named Public Policy Director-General Cousel at the Alliance for Public Technology in Washington, D.C. APT is a nonprofit organization working to ensure telecommunications access for all Americans.

PalmOne Inc. announced its senior vice president and head of global operations, Angel Mendez, is leaving the company. Mendez, who joined PalmOne in July 2001, will join Cisco Systems Inc. as senior vice president of worldwide manufacturing. He will remain with PalmOne throughout the first quarter as the company searches for his successor.

Deloitte appointed Philip Asmundson national managing partner of its U.S. Technology, Media and Telecommunications industry practice. He has been a deputy managing partner at the firm since 1999.

Qualcomm Inc. appointed Pertti Johansson president of its European operations. He is also a vice president of the company. He previously was an independent management consultant and advisor in the area of acquisition strategy and strategic account management in the telecom industry, said the company. He has also worked for Motorola Inc.

Leap Wireless International Inc. promoted S. Douglas Hutcheson president and chief financial officer from his previous position of executive vice president and CFO. Hutcheson led the company through its financial restructuring.

The GSM Association reported Cingular Wireless L.L.C. has replaced AT&T Wireless Services Inc. on the trade association’s board following Cingular’s $41 billion acquisition of AWS late last year. Jordan Roderick, executive vice president of international operations for Cingular, will serve as Cingular’s representative on the GSM Association’s board.

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