2degrees – business will continue as recovery takes place
Media Statement
April 2, 2013
2degrees – business will continue as recovery takes place
The 2degrees Board met today in Auckland to acknowledge the loss of Eric and Kathy Hertz, review support for their families and 2degrees staff and address issues of interim leadership.
Chairman Stewart Sherriff and Board member Brad Horwitz, CEO of majority shareholder Trilogy International Partners, arrived in Auckland this morning and have met with the company’s management team.
“We have all taken comfort from the comments and heartfelt sympathies from around the world expressed about Eric and Kathy,” says Mr Sherriff.
“Eric was a veteran in the wireless industry and brought that experience to bear in the New Zealand market. He has built a great team and his passion for excellence and exceeding customer’s expectations have been instilled into the entire organization. The board has complete confidence that the 2degrees team will continue to drive change and innovation into the New Zealand market,” says Brad Horwitz.
To provide continuity and support, 2degrees Chairman and Senior Vice President of Trilogy, Mr Stewart Sherriff will assume the interim role of CEO for 2degrees, effective immediately.
Mr Sherriff has more than 35 years of telecommunications industry experience and has been involved in 2degrees since Trilogy’s investment prior to the company’s launch. A brief biography of Mr Sherriff is below. Mr Sherriff will not be available for media interviews at this time.
In addition, 2degrees is liaising with Eric and Kathy’s families in the US and continues to provide support for their daughter. Staff have been offered support and an online tribute page will be added to the 2degrees website later this afternoon, so those wishing to post a message about Eric and Kathy can do so.
ENDS
Stewart Sheriff - Trilogy International
Partners, Chairman of 2degrees' Board
Stewart,
Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at Trilogy
International Partners, held a similar position in Western
Wireless International (WWI) beginning in 2001 after having
served as Vice President — Operations from 1997.
Stewart served as CEO of Irish mobile third entrant Meteor from 2003-2005 and has worked in mobile businesses in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and the US.
Before joining WWI, Stewart was Head of Operations for SmarTone Mobile Communications (Hong Kong) from 1995 to 1997 and, in 1995, served as Regional Coordinator/BSS Specialist for Tretech Solutions, a contractor for AT&T Saudi Arabia.