Pathnet Announces Organizational Changes - Company Operations

Cambridge Telcom Report, Sept 27, 1999

Pathnet, Inc., a privately-held carrier's carrier of digital telecommunications capacity to under-served and second- and third-tier markets, Monday announced the following organizational changes.

Bob Rouse, currently president of network services, was promoted to chief operating officer. "Bob has made an outstanding contribution to Pathnet in the short time he's been here," said Dick Jalkut, Pathnet president and chief executive officer. "His experience, vision and technical expertise have already had a positive effect on both the company's network construction activities and its plans to provide creative bandwidth solutions in under- served markets. Bob's enhanced responsibilities include the addition of operations support and sales to his existing responsibilities for network design, engineering and construction," added Jalkut.

One of Rouse's direct reports in his new capacity will be Gerald Sharp, Pathnet's newly appointed vice president and chief technology officer. Sharp joins Pathnet with over 18 years of telecommunications experience, most recently as Senior Director of Architecture and Strategic Planning with Intermedia Communications. Sharp previously worked with BellSouth.net, the State of Florida Division of Communications and USWest.

Commenting on Sharp's appointment, Bob Rouse said "Gerry will set Pathnet's technical strategy and manage its product development. As one of the nation's experts on advanced technologies, Gerry will be responsible for delivering a set of converged, DSL and IP-based multimedia services enabling our carrier, CLEC, and ISP customers to serve the nation's untapped and under- served 2nd and 3rd tier markets. Having worked with Gerry in the past, I am delighted to have a technologist of his caliber joining the Pathnet executive team," Rouse added.

While at Intermedia, Sharp worked with VOIP implementation and provided design direction for both VPN and IP Internet services. In his prior positions he also developed a strategic transport service model using DSL, ATM and fiber-based solutions to reduce access cost via common UNE access and shared LATA aggregation, and designed dedicated Internet access links to integrated ATM, voice and data services.

Kevin Bennis, formerly president of communication services at Pathnet, has resigned from the company to become president and CEO of a U.S. division of a Canadian telecom company. "We wish Kevin all the best in his exciting new opportunity," said Dick Jalkut. "He was a significant contributor to Pathnet in helping us develop a strong nationwide sales force."

Pathnet is a carriers' carrier providing high capacity, wireless and fiber bandwidth solutions to under-served and second- and third-tier markets. It provides service to inter-exchange carriers, local exchange carriers, Internet service providers, Regional Bell Operating Companies, cellular operators and resellers. As of June 30, 1999, Pathnet had 3,900 route miles of completed network, 3,800 route miles of network under construction and 7,700 route miles of network under commitment. The company's headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., at 1015 31st Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20007. For additional information about Pathnet, visit the company Web site at www.pathnet.net.