OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 4, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Dobson Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DCEL) today announced it has named Nextel-veteran Frank Franzese to serve as senior vice president -- Sales for the nation's second largest rural wireless provider. Mr. Franzese will assume his new duties with Dobson on November 28, 2005.
Mr. Franzese comes to Dobson after spending the past eight years in a number of senior-level executive positions at Nextel Communications. He joined Nextel in 1997 as general manager of its Chicago operations. Since then he has held a number of executive-level positions, including president of the Midwest Region, vice president of Direct Distribution and Corporate Accounts, and vice president of Government Accounts.
"Frank brings significant expertise and a history of accomplishment in key areas, such as channel development and business-to-business sales, where Dobson today has exciting opportunities for growth," said Steve Dussek, chief executive officer and president. "We are excited and indeed fortunate to have someone with Frank's consistent record of delivering impressive results. We are confident that he will make a significant contribution to our success in executing our growth strategy."
He most recently served as Nextel's vice president of Direct Sales and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Business Development. Prior to this, Mr. Franzese served as vice president of Direct Distribution and Corporate and Major Accounts, with responsibility for increasing penetration among large account customer segments.
Previously he served as vice president of Corporate Accounts, where he managed sales to approximately 1,400 accounts nationwide through three regional vice presidents; and vice president of Direct Distribution and Government Accounts. In the latter role he developed and launched Nextel's first Sales Training University.
From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Franzese was president of the Midwest Area for Nextel, directing operations in six Midwestern states.
Prior to joining Nextel, Mr. Franzese was owner and president of Pride Training and Development, a performance management organization that served Fortune 1000 companies, including Nextel.
From 1989 to 1996, he served in various sales management roles for Bell Atlantic Mobile, previously to its being acquired by Verizon Wireless. His last role with Bell Atlantic was director of Sales for the Northeast Region, including Orange County/Poughkeepsie, New York; Connecticut, Rhode Island and Southwestern Massachusetts. His responsibilities encompassed territory sales, data sales, indirect distribution channels, corporate accounts and operations support.
He received his BA from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Dobson Communications is a leading provider of wireless phone services to rural markets in the United States. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the Company owns wireless operations in 16 states. For additional information on the Company and its operations, please visit its Web site at www.dobson.net.