Wireless History Foundation Announces 2012 Inductees For Wireless Hall Of Fame
Industry to Honor Four Individuals at October 8 Event in San Diego
The Wireless History Foundation (WHF) announced recently the names of four individuals who will be inducted into the prestigious Wireless Hall of Fame during the Foundation’s Oct. 8, 2012 dinner in San Diego. The 2012 inductees are:
Wayne Perry—Service Provider Honoree. Started wireless career at McCaw Communications in 1976 and became President in 1985. After overseeing McCaw's merger with AT&T Wireless Services in 1994, Perry served as Vice Chairman of AT&T Wireless Services. He joined NEXTLINK Communications as Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman before co-founding Edge Wireless in 1999. In addition to his business leadership, Perry was instrumental in forming the wireless industry's trade group (CTIA) and was CTIA’s Chairman from 1993 to 1994.
Richard Lynch—Technology Honoree. Former Executive Vice President for enterprise-wide strategic technology initiatives at Verizon Communications, Inc. Lynch began his career in 1972 and held a variety of positions in planning, operations, and engineering with New England Telephone and Bell of Pennsylvania. He joined Bell Atlantic Mobile in 1990 as chief technical officer, and built one of the largest early wireless data networks in the country based on CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) technology. Lynch played a key role in the industry’s transition from analog to digital technology, and pushed the boundaries of wireless data capabilities.
Raj Singh—Industry Associate Honoree. Founded LCC International in 1983 and provided engineering designs for many of the early cellular phone networks in the United States and more than 30 other countries. Singh also held cellular licenses in Latin America and India and brought wireless service to those markets. In addition, he co-founded Appex, one of the first wireless roaming clearinghouses in the United States, which was subsequently sold to Electronic Data Systems (EDS).
Amos Joel (posthumously)—Pioneer Honoree. AT&T Bell Labs engineer and inventor who designed and patented automated mobile switching that revolutionized mobile communications and made cellular telephone service possible. He received the National Technology Medal of Honor in 1993 and was named to the National Inventors’ Hall of Fame in 2008. Joel is known as the “father of switching” and was granted more than 70 patents in his lifetime.
“These are accomplished individuals who have made major contributions to the development of the wireless industry,” said WHF Board member Charlie Townsend, CEO of Aloha Partners, and chairman of the 2012 selection committee. “We are honored to induct them into the Wireless Hall of Fame.”
The Wireless Hall of Fame dinner will take place at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego on Monday, Oct. 8, the evening before the CTIA Enterprise and Applications 2012 tradeshow. For additional information, or to participate as a sponsor of the 2012 Wireless Hall of Fame dinner, please contact Liz Maxfield at liz (at) wirelesshistoryfoundation dot org.
The Wireless Hall of Fame program recognizes outstanding achievement across all disciplines of the wireless industry. Thirty-two individuals have been inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame through 2011. The 2012 selection committee was composed of an anonymous panel of Hall of Fame members.
About The Wireless History Foundation
The Wireless History Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that educates and inspires future generations about the significance and growth of wireless telecommunications. Formed in 2008, the WHF develops programs that build community within the industry to preserve its rich and colorful history. WHF also chronicles the evolution of markets and technology, the contributions of numerous organizations, and the achievements of individuals, all of which fueled the growth of wireless communications and continue to add convenience, productivity, and enrichment to everyday life. For more information, visit www.wirelesshistoryfoundation.org
SOURCE: The Wireless History Foundation