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2 October 2001 – At a ceremony in London, before 600 industry peers, Richard (Dick) Callahan, President and Founder of Callahan Associates has been honoured with the third annual Andersen Lifetime Achievement Award in Communications.
Andersen UK Managing Partner, John Ormerod, noted in his valedictory speech that from humble beginnings as a North Western Bell lineman, Richard Callahan had firmly established himself as an industry innovator and success story.
Said Ormerod:
"Dick Callahan has exemplified a pioneering spirit through the founding of US WEST's cellular and cable communications business, US WEST International and the Cellular Telecommunication Industry Association (CTIA) in the United States. In addition, he was the co-founder of TeleWest International, the first company offering both cable TV and telephony in the United Kingdom, as well as Mercury One2One, the world's first personal communications network (PCN) company."
A truly global visionary, Callahan oversaw 24 companies providing services in 18 countries for US WEST. As CEO of Callahan Associates, he has led the company to its position as one of the leading cable communications operators in Europe with businesses in Spain, Portugal Belgium and Germany. He also launched Callahan Broadband Wireless Inc. with operations in Switzerland and the Philippines."
Addressing the London Audience, Dick Callahan commented:
"I accept this award on behalf of the team at Callahan Associates and my previous colleagues at US West. These teams have been the source of energy, inspiration, innovation, hard work and leadership that allowed us to create a bouquet of businesses around the world. These businesses added value to customers and investors alike. Together we will continue to create value."
"Dick Callahan's global reputation throughout the industry reflects his keen business insight," said Mel Dick, global managing partner for Andersen's technology, media and communications industry. "His experience in the converging fields of information, communications and entertainment makes him a natural and deserving recipient of this recognition."
For further information please contact:
Chris McLaughlin at Callahan Associates
0044 207 318 8939 or 0044 779 627 6033
Speech by Mr. John Ormerod, Managing Partner, Andersen, in presenting the Third Andersen Lifetime Achievement Award in Communications to Richard Callahan, President & Founder of Callahan Associates:
"May I first say, that Andersen is thrilled to sponsor the Lifetime Achievement award for the third year running. All the Awards presented serve an important function in recognising achievements made in the communications sector. This year, however, during a time when the industry has faced some of its greatest challenges, it becomes even more important to recognise the efforts of its leaders.
The award this year goes to a man that precious few people in the telecommunications industry can match in his drive to launch new businesses and his aptitude for managing far-reaching international operations. His latest venture which he founded in 1996 develops, operates and finances communications, entertainment and information projects worldwide and is best known for its extensive cable properties in Europe. His cable business encompasses 19 million franchise homes across Spain, Portugal, Germany and Belgium. In addition, he has also launched a Broadband Wireless company, which has operations in Switzerland and the Philippines.
But this is just a chapter in a long story of achievement. When AT&T was broken up in 1984, He founded New Vector Cellular Communications and led it to be a $400m company. He also founded the Cellular Telecommunication Industry Association, the US wireless industry group.
While at US West, He started the operator's cellular and cable communications businesses as well as launching its international business. From 1991 to 1995 he was president of US West International, where he developed companies providing services to more than three million customers in 18 countries.
He also led the development of the first wireless operators in Eastern Europe, Russia and India.
He was ladies and gentlemen, also co-founder of Telewest International, the UK's first company to offer both cable television and telephony. He also co-founded Mercury One2One.
The judges were impressed by his ability to contribute to the communities by hiring local people, rather than importing foreign talent, in building his international businesses. "He has always made sure [the businesses] were local companies run by local people," said one judge. "He empowered the local communities. He really gave back, and that's an important criterion."
Perhaps the industry's confidence in him is best exemplified in the amount of funding he has attracted for his company: $2.4bn in private equity, $1.7bn in high-yield finance and more than $6.5bn in senior debt. As one judge said: "That means people trust him.
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Andersen Lifetime Achievement in Communications Award goes to Richard Callahan, CEO, Callahan Associates International".
Callahan European Cable Operations Summary
Callahan Associates International, LLC is a global development and operations company focusing on the information, communications and entertainment markets. It is one of the leading cable communications operators in Europe and is actively seeking opportunities to develop its interests within the continent and further afield. In each of the operations, the cable systems deliver, or are being upgraded to deliver, a full range of advanced digital services such as high speed Internet, IP services and data transmissions as well as voice telephony, digital television programming and interactive TV.
Central to Callahan Associates' strategy is its role as the active managing partner bringing the strategic, operational and financial expertise to its operations. Through the application of knowledge transfer, Callahan Associates creates locally owned, managed and self-sustaining companies. With operations throughout Western Europe, the company is uniquely placed to maximise economies of scale and leverage the appropriate skills and contacts available within its operations.
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