Will CTIA's new chief be good for the organization?

America's Network, Nov 1, 2003

Gregg P. Skall Senior Partner Law firm Womble Carlyle

I know that the search committee looked long and hard for someone to replace outgoing president and CEO Tom Wheeler. Obviously the wireless industry has a number of serious issues it has to face. This means that this industry is going to continue to be at the center of a lot of controversy. It's going to need a dynamic leader like Wheeler. Those are significant shoes to fill, and I assume Steve is the man to do that.

The position requires a high degree of personal presence, creativity and imagination. There is still a great deal of dissatisfaction among wireless users around service quality that actually has a lot more to do with local zoning laws. There is a big education problem that the industry is facing and a guy like Steve is going to have to have the capability to tap local authorities.

The fact that Steve is a former congressman can certainly give him greater access, and to some extent, greater clout. Ultimately your success depends on your ability to argue your positions successfully and have your political ducks lined up.

Jim Andrew Vice President Adventis

It's no surprise that the communications industry is a mess. It's in a mess because of regulations. Somebody like Steve who has some expertise and some knowledge and contacts in Washington is really very helpful to the CTIA and the wireless industry in general. The wireless industry has too many carriers, and with the FCC split, there is no way that anybody can get clarity on the issue of consolidation.

Having been in Congress, Steve certainly knows an awful lot of people and knows how to get things done. He's a competitive fellow and if he's playing for the wireless team, you've got a guy who wants his team to win.