RESTON, Va., February 29, 2016 – Ligado Networks today announced that Timothy M. Donahue, former executive chairman of Sprint Nextel Corporation, has joined its Board of Directors, further enhancing the wireless industry experience and business acumen among the new company’s leadership team.
“We are very pleased to welcome Tim to Ligado’s Board, and we look forward to utilizing his extensive experience to bring our mid-band spectrum online and to maximizing his strategic insight to help grow our business to enable the next-generation of connectivity,” said Ligado chief executive officer Doug Smith. “Within the wireless industry, Tim is recognized as a true innovator for his ability to develop differentiated service offerings to meet the needs of a host of emerging industry verticals; as all of our lives become more and more mobile in an increasingly connected world, we will greatly benefit from Tim’s knowledge, instincts, and success.”
“Ligado Networks has tremendous potential to profoundly impact the overall wireless industry,” said Donahue. “I feel privileged to join a very dynamic team of creative and experienced leaders, and I’m excited to work closely with Doug and the rest of the board during Ligado’s next growth phase.”
Smith also noted, “Throughout his career, Tim has been lauded for his enthusiastic, results-driven team approach, so his transformative style fits perfectly with our Ligado mission. We are fortunate to have him join our team as we strive to provide the mobile connections necessary to support a growing variety of emerging technology applications.”
Donahue served seven years as president and CEO of Nextel Communications Inc., leading the company to achieve Fortune 200 status. Since retirement from Sprint Nextel in 2006, he has played active roles in advising and counseling numerous companies in the industry and technology sectors, including serving as a non-executive chairman of UCT Coatings as well as a director for Tyco International Ltd., Covidian Ltd., and Eastman Kodak. He began his career with Nextel in 1996 as president and chief operating officer. Additional tenure includes his positions as northeast regional president for AT&T Wireless Services; president of the central region of its predecessor company, McCaw Cellular Communications; and president of McCaw’s paging division. Donahue also currently serves as a director for several other companies, including The ADT Corporation, NVR Inc., and Radius Networks.
Donahue’s appointment complements the notable telecommunications industry experience of Ligado’s directors, as he joins former Verizon chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg, who chairs the new company’s Board. “Tim is a telecom pioneer; his competitive drive and determination are quality attributes I have long admired, and it’s great that he is part of our team,” said Seidenberg. “His accomplishments at Nextel have earned him the respect of our industry, and we are certain his leadership will further strengthen our board’s breadth of experience and talent.”
The leadership panel also includes Smith, who has more than 25 years of international telecom and wireless industry experience, and former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Reed Hundt. Ligado’s controlling ownership team of Fortress Investment Group, Centerbridge Partners, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. – world-class investment companies also recognized for significant experience in telecommunications and technology industries – has appointed as Board members Drew McKnight and Jared Hendricks. The group’s other appointee is director John Fischer.
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