Alltel Parent Company Hires Transition Executive

Paul Bowersock, who has headed the divested wireless assets from the $28 billion Verizon-Alltel deal of 2008, has a new globe-trotting mission.

The 20-year telecom executive has been hired by Atlantic Tele-Network, parent company of Allied Wireless (Alltel), as president of its international operations. Bowersock will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive marketing and sales strategies for the firm’s wireless, wireline and fiber optic operations in Guyana, Bermuda and across the Caribbean.

When the Verizon buyout of then privately-held Alltel was announced in June 2008, the Department of Justice required 105 markets to be sold to other firms in order to preserve competition. Bowersock was named president of the spin-off markets – which were ultimately acquired by AT&T and ATN – and has guided them through the transition period of the last two years.

"I am pleased to join a management team that is clearly committed to long term, strategic growth. ATN has a significant advantage with exceptional executives in place at each of its international subsidiaries and a track record of operating successfully in underserved and niche markets," Bowersock said in a press release.

The final phases of the spin-off of the assets from the Verizon deal are expected to close in the first half of this year.