TDS Telecom shifts senior leadership ranks

Madison, Wisconsin-based TDS Telecom on Sept. 27 announced following 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.

TDS said the leadership changes take effect immediately.

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