Technology >> CEO Interviews >> April 12, 2004
MICHAEL E. KALOGRIS is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Triton
PCS Holdings, Inc. A founder of Triton PCS, Mr. Kalogris has led the
company's development, establishing Triton PCS as the first member of
the AT&T Wireless Services Inc. network of affiliates as well as one of
the leading wireless services carriers in the Southeast. Under his
leadership, Triton PCS has set industry-leading standards for network
performance, customer service and customer retention, leading to
consistent strong growth in subscribers and revenue, and earning a
reputation as one of the fastest-growing and best-managed wireless
companies in the country. Today, Triton PCS, which markets its service
under the brand SunCom, a member of the AT&T Wireless Network, provides
digital service to more than 700,000 customers in 37 Southeast markets
spanning from south of Washington, DC, to east of Atlanta, Georgia.
Triton PCS also provides coverage along more than 18,000 miles of major
north-south highways and connecting freeways. In addition to achieving
these outstanding results, the company generated record revenue of $550
million and EBITDA (recurring operating income before non-cash items) of
$65 million in 2001, and posted more than $36 million in EBITDA in the
first quarter of 2002, well exceeding Wall Street expectations. Mr.
Kalogris has consistently distinguished himself as a leader in the
highly competitive wireless industry, and is now in his third CEO role
since 1988. He previously was the Chairman of Triton Cellular Partners,
LP, which specialized in acquiring and operating rural cellular
properties. The company's assets were sold in 2000 for $1.24 billion.
Mr. Kalogris served earlier as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Horizon Cellular Group, which became the fifth-largest independent
cellular company in the United States, and was sold for approximately
$575 million. Prior to joining Horizon, Mr. Kalogris served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Metrophone, a cellular carrier in
Philadelphia, the nation's fourth-largest market. During the past five
years, Mr. Kalogris successfully led two public equity offers; three
private equity placements; three high-yield bond offers, three major
bank syndications and an initial public offering. Mr. Kalogris has been
a member of the Board of Directors of Cellular Telecommunications, an
Internet Association since 1990 and currently serves on its Executive
Committee. He also has served in a variety of other roles for the
association, including as a member of the Public Policy Council and
Fraud Task Force, and as Membership Chairman. Profile
Mr. Kalogris: Triton is a facilities-based wireless carrier providing
service to an area of approximately 13 million people living
