News - New CEO...
Totally unknown of course. And Frank still has his fingers in the pie unfortunately as COB.
Franklin Telecommunications Corp. Names Robert S. Stewart CEO;
Stewart Brings 33 Years of Global Experience in
Finance/Energy/Petroleum to Franklin
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--Sept. 15, 2000-- Franklin
Telecommunications Corp. ("Company") (AMEX:FCM), a manufacturer of
high speed VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephony equipment and
a provider of next generation IP-based telecommunications services,
today announced it has named Robert Sandford Stewart as CEO to succeed
Frank W. Peters, the Company's founder, who remains chairman.
Stewart's appointment, effective immediately, completes an
international search announced by the Company on July 5, 2000.
Stewart is a Canadian citizen and long-time resident of
Switzerland and Great Britain. In addition to a diplomatic career
(1973-76) with the Canadian secretary of state, Stewart combines
another thirty years of senior global business experience in finance,
construction, mining, petroleum and energy. He has developed several
world class IPP gas-to-electricity projects as chairman of Tangas A.G.
and Camgas A.G. including (1990-93) the start-up of the giant $500
million Songo Songo Field in Tanzania.
Between 1979-97, as chairman/CEO of Interop A.G., International
Cobalt Corporation and Canada-Africa Mining Corporation, he
joint-ventured with Bechtel International Corporation on several
global infrastructure projects including the $5 billion Congo Master
Plan. Concurrently he also has 20 years experience completing large
infrastructure projects with two chairmen of Krupp Thyssen
International A.G., Europe's largest steel and construction
manufacturer.
Among other interests, Stewart initiated and developed the
Elephant Hills Golf and Country Club at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. He
also sits on the board of directors of "Your Dot Com for Africa" Inc.,
the first global Internet news and e-commerce site that reports daily
on commercial, trade and investment opportunities between the United
States, Canada and Africa. The site's 1.3 million patrons include
telecommunications, oil, gas, mining, energy, manufacturing, trading,
and high-tech firms; governments; media; and academia.
"I see in Franklin Telecommunications a company that 20 years ago
started answering the many challenges as a lead architect in the
forefront of data, voice, and now VoIP, technology," Stewart stated.
"This depth of experience has produced a more patient, longer-term
discipline in an otherwise headlong rush to dramatically alter
business communication that's not altogether there, yet.
"Unlike any other company in our sector, Franklin designs, builds
and tests its equipment on its own network before selling, installing,
or beginning operation," Stewart continued. "This quality-focused
philosophy makes Franklin unique and responsible. I am looking forward
to this opportunity to help create and implement a strategy for the
Company to leverage this advantage into significant sales and
revenues, sustained growth, and into becoming an influential
contributor in the industry."
Peters commented: "Robert Stewart is an individual with the global
experience, intelligence, contacts and professional savvy to lead
Franklin forward. I am confident his vision, determination, skills,
and integrity will give the Company the needed focus and drive to
succeed technologically and commercially in the global
telecommunications and VoIP markets."
Franklin Telecommunications Corporation is a maker of high-speed
VoIP telephony equipment, which enables high-quality transmissions of
data, voice, fax and email over the Internet. Franklin's next
generation telephone company subsidiary, FNet, offers global IP-based
telecommunications services and complete, interoperable networking
system solutions utilizing Franklin equipment and software.
Certain statements in this news release constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements,
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
For additional information about the Companies: www.ftel.com --
for Franklin's IP Telephony Hardware and Equipment; www.fnet.net --
for Franklin's Next Generation IP Telephone Service.
--30--
CONTACT: Franklin Telecommunications Corp.
Steve Lee, 805/373-8688
or
Silverman Heller Associates
Dan Matsui/Eugene Heller, 310/208-2550 |
