Sprint Nextel Pinches Motricity Coo for Network Ops Post

Sprint Nextel has named Steven L. Elfman, 52, a wireless technology and mobile data veteran, to the new position of President - Network Operations and Wholesale, reporting to Dan Hesse, president and chief executive officer.

Elfman most recently served as president and chief operating officer of Motricity, a mobile data technology services company, and before that held mobile data and technology leadership positions at Infospace, Terabeam and AT&T Wireless.

In his position at Sprint, which will take effect May 4, Elfman will oversee the combined network and IT organizations led by Chief Network Officer Kathy Walker, and the wholesale organization, which encompasses services sold to other telecommunications providers, led by Jim Patterson, who was recently named as President - Wholesale. The company's technology development and product development organizations also will report to Elfman.

"I've known Steve Elfman for many years," said Hesse. "He is a proven leader and innovator in wireless technology and data services, and he will fit well into our management team. In creating this position, we are leveraging advancements in our network technology and information systems to strengthen innovation in our products and services that we sell directly to our customers and to third parties. Steve also brings a wealth of experience in wireless applications and internet business models, which will be valuable expertise for Sprint as we create a more open environment for applications developers who wish to take advantage of the power of the nation's largest wireless broadband data network."

Elfman has held his position at Motricity since January, when that company completed its purchase of the mobile services business unit of InfoSpace, where Elfman had served in leadership positions since 2003.

Ryan Wuerch, chairman and CEO of Motricity said of the news: "We certainly don’t like losing him, but he leaves us in a very strong position. He's built a great foundation for the business and we have great momentum moving forward. Steve's entire leadership team remains intact and will continue to lead our business. The team is executing against a very solid operating plan and we're expecting strong results for the year - exceeding $100 million in net revenue."

Posted to the site on 25th March 2008

Email this article to a collegue

Printer Friendly Version