Telecom Executive Bruce Chatterley announced as President and CEO; Founder/Chairman Mike Apgar to Drive Product Development and Strategic Planning
Seattle, WA - August 18, 2003 -- Speakeasy (www.speakeasy.net), the nation's largest independent broadband provider, announced a key addition to the company's leadership team to position the organization for its next phase of growth. Veteran telecom executive Bruce Chatterley will join Speakeasy as president and CEO, effective September 2, with day-to-day management and operations oversight; company founder Mike Apgar will continue to serve in a full-time role as the company's lead strategist, developing innovative services and products that further expand and enhance Speakeasy's broadband offerings. Apgar will also remain Chairman of the Board, collaborating with Chatterley on Speakeasy's overall direction.
"I'm thrilled to be working with Mike to help build upon his vision for Speakeasy. Our collaboration will allow the company to maximize its potential and take advantage of increasing market opportunities," said Chatterley. "Speakeasy's success to date is a result of continually enhancing the customer experience while effectively managing the business side - all within a customer-focused culture that is unrivaled in the industry. These key principles will be the foundation of the next exciting phase in Speakeasy's growth."
"Speakeasy is in a great position to build upon its strong core foundation while continuing to create progressive services for customers. My passion and commitment lie in charting Speakeasy's future and developing new ideas while challenging others to maintain the company's 'innovator' status in the industry," said Apgar. "I searched for the right person for more than a year before finding Bruce, who had all of the qualities I had outlined: proven commitment to the customer, desire to retain a strong culture and experience growing a services company."
Since founding Speakeasy in 1994, Apgar's responsibilities had expanded to include all aspects of operations and strategic development. Under his leadership, Speakeasy prospered during a period when many of its competitors failed; the company is on track to exceed revenues of $50 million this year - an increase of more than 4,000% since 1998.
Chatterley was most recently CEO of ViAir, a Seattle developer of carrier-based mobile messaging software, which merged with Visto Corporation earlier this year. He led all aspects of the company's growth until the merger, from early stage to the establishment of a worldwide customer base. Prior to this, Chatterley was president of eServices & Small/Middle Markets for Concur Technologies, a developer of web-based travel and entertainment expense management applications, where he developed an innovative and highly successful Application Service Provider, product line and business model.
Chatterley is a seasoned telecommunications executive, having held several executive leadership positions with Ameritech Corporation (now SBC), contributing to a period of immense growth for the telecom company. In his roles as Chief Consumer Marketing Officer (responsible for more than $5 billion in revenues) and Vice President of Product Management (managing more than $9 billion of total revenues), Chatterley was credited with driving significant increases in both revenue and profitability. Earlier in his career, Chatterley held sales, marketing and business development leadership positions with US West, General Electric and IBM.
Gus Warren of Granite Ventures and a Speakeasy board member noted, "The new team gives the company the best of both worlds: a proven operations and growth-focused leader in Bruce combined with Mike's vision and marketplace intuition. The board is very excited about this addition and what it means for the next phase of Speakeasy's growth."
About Speakeasy
Founded in 1994, Speakeasy is the nation's largest independent broadband service provider. Combining a nationwide network, intelligent customer service along with pioneering technologies and product offerings, Speakeasy delivers a superior online experience for demanding broadband users. Speakeasy broadband is available in most metropolitan areas within the 48 contiguous states. Those interested in Speakeasy's broadband service can visit www.speakeasy.net or call customer service at 1.800.556.5829 (24 hours a day, seven days a week).
Media Contacts:
Lynn Brackpool - 303-246-9001, lynnbrackpool@speakeasy.net
Mark Peterson - 206-390-0204, markpeterson@speakeasy.net
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