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Laren Whiddon named CEO of DBS - Announces $4.8 million of funding for strategic initiatives.
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Chicago, IL, October 9: DBS Communications, Inc. (DBS) today announced that Laren Whiddon has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of DBS.
Laren brings twenty years of experience in the wireless industry, joining American Cellular Communications Corp., a BellSouth partnership, in 1987. Prior to joining DBS, Laren was Vice President and General Manager of Cingular Wireless (AT&T) managing the Illinois and Wisconsin region with over $2B in revenues. He joined DBS as Chief Operating Officer in 2005, and was Chief Financial Officer of Los Angeles Cellular Telephone Company, a BellSouth/AT&T Wireless company with $1B in revenues.
“I am pleased to announce that the investor group of DBS has provided additional funding of $4.8 million to increase support of our independent retail channel, as well as fuel expansion in our regional and national retail pursuits,” said Laren Whiddon. The investor group includes MK Capital, Montagu Newhall Associates, Neocarta Ventures, Sierra Ventures, and others. Reed Smith LLP represented DBS as legal counsel in the transaction. “We are also announcing that Al Ramirez has joined DBS as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance.”
Al Ramirez brings over twenty years of experience in the telecommunications industry, including sixteen years with Ameritech, and was the Chief Financial Officer of Ameritech’s largest division with over $5B in revenues. He was instrumental in growing a division of Ameritech from $25M to over $500M in revenue. Al began his career with Ford Motor Company and holds a MBA from Eastern Michigan University.
“We are repositioning DBS to maximize commissions to our retail partners while at the same time improving the sales support that we provide through a specialized, cost efficient retailer team,” said Al Ramirez. “Our technology and customer service platform enhance support for the local retailer channel and allow expansion into regional and national channels.”
Through its proprietary technology, DBS provides a family of wireless products under the EZlink® brand across multiple telecommunications carrier networks and handset technologies (GSM/CDMA).
“Given the maturity of DBS’s patented technology, the Company is positioned for growth across multiple carrier networks and regional/national distribution channels with the ability to offer an array of unique products and mobile marketing capabilities. This is an exciting time to fund the initiatives of the Company,” noted Peter Wendell. Mr. Wendell and David Schwab, both Managing Directors of Sierra Ventures, serve on the DBS Board of Directors.
About DBS Communications, Inc.
Founded in 1998, DBS Communications is a well-established independent provider of prepaid wireless services nationally. DBS offers innovative prepaid wireless products across national CDMA and GSM wireless carrier networks and handset technologies. As a mobile virtual network operator and enabler (MVNO/MVNE), DBS provides wireless products under the EZlink® national brand through multiple distribution channels for customers and enablement partners. DBS enables its distribution partners on a proprietary billing and rating platform, and holds national and international patents pending on an array of handset-to-server communication technologies. DBS was named one of the 100 top private companies by Always On. For further information on how DBS is Building Relationships Through Technology®, visit www.dbsnow.com.
Contact:
Donna Morrison
DBS Communications, Inc.
E-mail: dmorrison@dbsnow.com
EZlink® is the exclusive trademark of DBS Communications, Inc. All other products, services, companies and publications are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. ©2007 DBS Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Patent 7,174,174. Additional U.S. and international patents pending.
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