The members of CompTel/ASCENT and the Association for Local Telecommunications Services (ALTS) late yesterday voted to approve the merger of the two organizations.
The new association will operate, in the short term, under the name CompTel/ALTS, while the board of directors explores other names.
The merger will be completed on March 1. That marks the day when the personnel of both associations will be combined and headquartered at CompTel/ASCENT’s offices in Washington, D.C.
“The merger of CompTel/ASCENT and ALTS will enable facilities-based carriers and their partners to work together in solidarity to promote pro-competitive policies, as well as develop and strengthen the vital business relationships needed to be successful in today’s dynamic marketplace,” J. Sherman Henderson III, CompTel/ASCENT chairman and president and CEO of Lightyear Network Solutions LLC, said in a statement.
The new association will combine the resources of more than 350 of the nation’s telecom companies that target consumers and businesses.
“We met our goal of quickly closing this merger and we are excited to work together,” Jim Geiger, chairman of the ALTS Executive Committee and president and CEO of Cbeyond Communications, also said in a statement. “Our member companies continue to bring consumers and small businesses the innovative broadband services that drive our nation's economy. We have a powerful pro-competition, pro-innovation message to take to policymakers and leaders across the country, and we are ready to hit the ground running.”
Henderson will serve as chairman of CompTel/ALTS. Geiger and Richard E. Burk, president and CEO of nii Communications Ltd., will be co-vice chairmen of the new association. Joseph Ambersley, president of PAETEC South at PAETEC Communications will serve as co-vice chair/treasurer. H. Russell Frisby Jr., who announced in late November that he was stepping down, will continue as the association’s interim CEO until a successor is found.
The CompTel/ALTS Board of Directors will consist of 32 members, including 11 who will serve on the board’s executive committee.
