Largent to Leave as President of CTIA After 10 Years
Longtime CTIA President Steve Largent will leave the group after his contract expires at the end of next year, the association said Friday. Largent’s future and whether he would re-up for another contract had been a topic of discussion when CTIA’s board met in San Jose, Calif., last week, industry sources said.
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Largent became president in 2003, succeeding Tom Wheeler, President Barack Obama’s nominee as chairman of the FCC. Largent is a former wide receiver who was an All American at the University of Tulsa and is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. In 1994, he was elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican, a seat he held until 2002 when he resigned to run for governor of Oklahoma, losing a close race. The next year, he was named to the post at CTIA. There has been wide speculation in recent months that Largent, 59, might not seek a contract extension.
"I am extremely proud of the many achievements our team has accomplished over the past decade, and believe they have played a significant role in the fantastic and unparalleled growth of the U.S. wireless industry over that period of time,” Largent said in a written statement. “The coming year will be a busy one for CTIA, and above all else, I will ensure that there will be no impact on our efforts to secure certainty in the FCC auction process as well as successfully transition our trade shows into a new schedule. At the same time, I believe it’s appropriate to give our Board of Directors notice of my intentions so that it can plan accordingly, and proceed to find my successor."
Verizon Wireless CEO Dan Mead, the current CTIA chairman, is expected to play a big role in the search for a successor to Largent, industry sources said Friday. CTIA will likely hire a head hunter firm and could pick another “celebrity” president, such as a former member of Congress, a former regulator or a former CEO, said several industry observers Friday. NAB for example, picked Gordon Smith, a former senator, as its president. NCTA tapped former FCC Chairman Michael Powell. PCIA named former FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein as its president.
"CTIA will have big shoes to fill in replacing Steve Largent,” NAB’s Smith said. “Whether it was representing his district in Oklahoma or advancing the policy priorities of the wireless industry, Steve has been a tireless advocate and has represented with distinction his members and constituents in Washington.”