Board of Directors
Lightower's Board of Directors are seasoned, accomplished professionals.
Doug Wiest
Rod Smith
James F. Wade
Brian M. Clark
Walker Simmons
Scott Stevens
Doug Wiest – President and CEO Lightower
Doug has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 20 years and in the wireless industry for over 15 years. He previously held senior positions at American Tower, Nextel Communications, McCaw Communications and Pacific Telesis. He has managed all aspects of wireless infrastructure, including site development and maintenance, construction, switch and network engineering, and RF and performance engineering.
Rod Smith – Chief Financial Officer Lightower
Rod is a proven leader and an experienced CFO with a track record of success with early-stage companies experiencing phenomenal growth. During his sixteen-year career he has managed fund raising, mergers & acquisitions, finance, accounting, treasury, SEC reporting, taxation, legal, risk management and administration for companies such as Nextel Communications, RoweCom and National Grid.
James F. Wade – Mr. Wade is the Managing General Partner of M/C Venture Partners, where he has been responsible for developing the firm’s involvement in the telecom network service sectors. Mr. Wade leads the firm’s investment process including determining sector focus, seeking out management teams and founding new companies. He currently serves on the board of directors of Attenda, Ltd., Cavalier Telephone, MetroPCS, NuVox Communications, Revol, Open Mobile and Cellular One of East Texas. Mr. Wade received a BBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Brian M. Clark – Mr. Clark is a Partner with M/C Venture Partners and focuses on investment opportunities in the cellular/PCS, wireline, and broadband wireless sectors. Prior to joining M/C Venture Partners in 2001, he worked in Corporate Finance in the Global Telecom Group at Salomon Smith Barney. Mr. Clark currently serves on the board of directors of Revol, Open Mobile, Mobi PCS and Cellular One of East Texas. Mr. Clark received his BBA in Finance and Accounting and a Masters in Accounting from the University of Michigan.
Walker Simmons, Partner – Mr. Simmons joined Wachovia Capital Partners after having served as a Vice President with Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., Inc., a private equity firm specializing in leveraged buyouts. Mr. Simmons also served in the investment banking group of The Robinson-Humphrey Company. His investing efforts are focused in the Business and Technology Services and Media and Communications industries. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Heartland Publications, MetroPCS, Sonitrol, Three Eagles Communications and TMW Systems. Mr. Simmons earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce from The University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce and his Master of Management Degree from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Simmons is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Scott Stevens, Principal – Mr. Stevens rejoined Wachovia Capital Partners after graduating from business school. Mr. Stevens also served as an Analyst in First Union Securities' Communications and Media Finance Group and as an associate in Wachovia Capital Partners. His investing efforts are focused in the Business and Technology Services and Energy industries. Mr. Stevens currently serves on the Board of Directors of Express Energy Services, MACTEC, GeoResources, TMW Systems and USA Compression. Mr. Stevens earned his undergraduate degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated with highest honors, and his Masters of Business Administration from The Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.