TIA Appoints New President

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) President Matthew J. Flanigan announced at TIA's Summer 2006 Board of Directors Meeting last month that he will retire from his position with the association on Dec. 31 of this year. TIA's board of directors voted unanimously at the same meeting to appoint TIA Executive Vice President Grant Seiffert to succeed Flanigan as TIA's president, effective Jan. 1.

"Matt Flanigan's service to TIA has been marked by unparalleled leadership on behalf of telecommunications equipment and services companies, and he has strengthened TIA during his tenure by positioning the association for a bright future," said TIA Board of Directors Chairman Van Cullens, president and CEO of Westell Technologies Inc. "With the appointment of Executive Vice President Grant Seiffert as president-elect, TIA is poised to continue its role as the leading advocate for telecommunications equipment and services companies intent on competing in the global information, communications and entertainment technology industry."

Prior to becoming TIA president in April 1994, Flanigan held several positions at Cognitronics Corp., a publicly owned voice processing-equipment manufacturer. Flanigan joined Cognitronics in 1965, beginning his career by working in various sales, manufacturing and engineering positions; his final office, held from 1989 until 1994, was as president and CEO. Flanigan served on TIA’s board of directors starting in 1988, including as chairman in 1990, and became president of the association in 1994.

Seiffert joined TIA in 1996 as director of government relations. His main priority was to represent the equipment industry's interests, particularly regarding competitive issues during implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 by the FCC. He was promoted to vice president in 1998, directing domestic and global policy to help the association's supplier members gain marketing opportunities around the world. His current responsibilities as executive vice president encompass overseeing policy, including interaction with the U.S. Congress, the FCC and the administration, as well as with international regulatory bodies and government leaders, and fulfilling the senior management role for association membership and TIA trade shows, including GLOBALCOMM. Prior to joining TIA, Seiffert served five years with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., former chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) www.tiaonline.org
Westell Technologies Inc. www.westell.com

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