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SPEAKEASY ANNOUNCES ADDITIONS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board expanded to include two world-class operating executives
SEATTLE, August 23, 2004 – Speakeasy (www.speakeasy.net), the nation’s largest independent broadband services provider, today announced the appointment of two new outside independent directors, John Gerdelman and Mitch Wienick, who have agreed to join Speakeasy’s Board of Directors in September. Messrs. Gerdelman and Wienick are experienced industry executives who bring unique perspectives to privately held Speakeasy at a time of rapid growth for the company.
“Upon the completion of our fundraising earlier this year, we initiated a search for a new independent outside board member. It was our great fortune to actually find two outstanding executives who matched our criteria exactly. We quickly realized that both John and Mitch could significantly contribute to Speakeasy’s strategic vision and add tremendous value. We are delighted to expand our team so that both could join our Board of Directors,” said Speakeasy CEO and president Bruce Chatterley. The Speakeasy Board includes Mr. Chatterley, Speakeasy founder Mike Apgar, and executives from Granite Ventures, BV-Cornerstone Ventures LP, 3i and BV Capital.
“I am pleased about the prospect of joining Speakeasy’s Board of Directors at this exciting juncture of the company’s growth. I truly believe in their business model and am eager to help them expand on their aggressive plan for the future,” noted Mr. Gerdelman.
“This is a terrific opportunity to work with a progressive, growing company. I look forward to leveraging my operational and marketing expertise to benefit Speakeasy’s broadband vision in a variety of ways,” added Mr. Wienick.
John Gerdelman,is a co-founder and executive chairman of Intelliden Corporation, a software solutions company that enable networks to operate more intelligently by automating network change management and enforcing business policy in network operations. In 2002, Mr. Gerdelman took on the bankruptcy reorganization of Metromedia Fiber Networks and successfully emerged from Chapter 11 in late 2003. Prior to this, Mr. Gerdelman worked with several new ventures as managing member of Mortonsgroup LLC. From 1986 until 1999, Mr. Gerdelman held various positions with MCI Telecommunications Corporation in sales, marketing, sales operations, network operations and information technology, including president of the network and information technology division. He was also CEO of a startup call center company and returned to MCI upon its acquisition. Before joining MCI, Mr. Gerdelman was with Baxter Travenol Corporation in sales operations. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Aviator and received his bachelor degree in chemistry from the College of William and Mary where he now serves on the Board of Visitors. Mr. Gerdelman currently serves as a director of McData, APAC, Sycamore Networks, Inc. and YDI Wireless.
Mitch Wienick is currently a partner at Philadelphia-based Kelleher Associates, Inc and brings an extensive background of senior business, marketing and consulting experience to Speakeasy’s Board. At Kelleher, Mr. Wienick is responsible for business development and counseling of executives in transition as well as proactive performance coaching of senior-level clients. Prior to Kelleher, he was a “backed executive” with Willis Stein & Associates, a highly regarded private equity firm. Mr. Wienick is also the former president and chief executive officer of CDI Corp. Previously, Mr. Wienick was president of Ameritech Consumer Services, its largest customer facing organization. He also launched the company’s Small Business Services Division and grew it to $1.7 billion in annual revenues, while leading its entry into the security monitoring business. Mr. Wienick also held senior executive positions at Borden Inc. and Kraft Foods and began his career with Procter & Gamble. A native of New York City, Mr. Wienick holds a degree in economics from Brooklyn College and a M.B.A. from New York University. He has served on the board of directors of Greater Philadelphia First and the World Affairs Council, and currently serves on the advisory board of Baird Venture Partners and the board of directors of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
About Speakeasy:
Speakeasy achieved profitability and passed the $50 million mark in recurring revenues during 2003. Founded as one of the world’s first Internet cafes in 1994, Speakeasy quickly grew and eventually expanded into full-service national broadband services, its primary focus today. Offering a range of business and residential broadband services and solutions, Speakeasy is an innovator in high-speed access for the small business, gaming and “power user” segments of the market. Speakeasy offers unrestricted WiFi usage policies, a wide variety of value-added services and plans, and top-rated customer support. Currently, six out of seven new Speakeasy subscribers come from another broadband provider, and the company has seen this trend accelerate over the past year as broadband users become more knowledgeable and expect more from their service providers.
Speakeasy broadband is available in most metropolitan areas within the 48 contiguous states. Those interested in Speakeasy’s broadband service can visit
www.speakeasy.net
or call customer service at 1.800.556.5829 (24 hours a day, seven days a week).
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"Kelleher
is a top-notch firm…I couldn't have done it without
all of you! Tell everyone thanks, especially Mitch, Lee
and Ed."
—TM
"…thank
you for your assistance and support through this very
challenging and difficult period in my life. It is
through support from caring people like you (Lee), Ed,
Mitch, Al, and others that have given me a sense of hope
and purpose…let them know of this good news, and to
extend my appreciation for their support."
—LL
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