TDS Telecom Announces Senior Leadership Changes

MADISON, Wis. (September 27, 2021)—TDS Telecom (TDS®), a Madison, Wisconsin-based communications company, is announcing changes within its senior leadership team.

Mark Barber, Senior VP of Network Operations, is now the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for TDS Telecom. Barber has more than three decades of experience in the communications industry and has been leading TDS’ network operations since 2018. Barber was instrumental in helping TDS Telecom acquire its first major cable company and facilitated all of TDS’ subsequent cable acquisitions. Barber served in the Marine Corps and attended Bridgewater College (Va.) and James Madison University (Va.).

Julie Maiers, VP of Marketing & Product Development, is being promoted to Senior VP of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Operations. Maiers has been with TDS Telecom since 1998 and has been successfully leading the company’s marketing efforts and fiber expansion projects. Maiers earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and a BA in Economics from Mundelein College (Ill.).

Shane West, Senior VP of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Operations, is assuming the leadership role of Senior VP of Network Operations. West has been with the company for 25 years and currently oversees marketing, sales, customer operations, and product strategy. West also worked at TDS’ sister company, UScellular, where he had a critical role in helping the wireless company launch its first-ever family and unlimited roaming plans. He holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a BA in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Drew Petersen, Senior VP of Corporate Affairs, is receiving additional responsibilities and will now supervise TDS Telecom’s broadcast television operations, Zolo Media. Zolo operates KOHD-TV the ABC affiliate, KBNZ-LP the CBS affiliate, COTV11, CO4 Visitors Network, and Central Oregon Daily, which provides targeted advertising solutions. Petersen has been with the company for 24 years and is the past president of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. Petersen holds a BA in History and Leadership Studies from Ripon College (Wis.) and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“I am confident these senior leadership changes will provide additional focus and strong alignment and assist with the execution of our new growth strategies,” said Jim Butman, President and CEO. “These are exciting times for TDS Telecom and we have a leadership team that will position our company for future success.”

The leadership changes take effect immediately.

Media Contact: Mark Schaaf | Associate Manager - Communications | TDS Telecom | 608-326-3588 | mark.schaaf@tdstelecom.com  

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom/TDS®) delivers high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to a mix of small to mid-sized urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the U.S. With 1.2 million connections, TDS is a rapidly growing technology company. Powered by fiber-optics and new industry-leading technologies, TDS delivers up to 8 Gigabit internet speeds and offers internet-protocol based TV entertainment solutions along with traditional phone services. TDS also offers businesses VoIP advanced communications solutions, dedicated internet service, data networking, and hosted-managed services. Visit tdstelecom.com.

TDS Telecom, headquartered in Madison, Wis., employs 3,600 people and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS], a Fortune 1000® company. Founded in 1969, Telephone and Data Systems provides wireless, broadband, video and voice; and hosted and managed services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses: UScellular, TDS Telecom, and OneNeck IT Solutions. Visit tdsinc.com.

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