Speaker Profiles

The Path to 4G will feature experts, pioneers, and players leading the charge towards 4G. Check back often as we add new names to our roster of industry experts.

Mike Dano, Managing Editor, Wireless Group, FierceWireless

Mike Dano has more than 10 years of experience in journalism and has been covering the wireless industry for more than eight years. He previously worked at RCR Wireless News, first as a reporter covering the mobile content and handset beats, and then as the publication’s online editor. Register Here!

Emmy Johnson, Founder & Principal Analyst, Sky Light Research

Emmy Johnson is the Principal Analyst and Founder of Sky Light Research, specializing in wireless last mile equipment technologies and the applications that drive them.  This includes, microwave point-to-point radios, wireless broadband point-to-multipoint technologies, such as WiMAX, and proprietary technologies; and wireless Ethernet point-to-point bridges.  She has over a decade of experience as a market analyst with firms such as Cahners In-Stat Group and Synergy Research Group where she was the lead analyst covering a wide range of wireless and data networking technologies.  This diverse background has given her a solid understanding of ATM and circuit based networks and what is required as these transition to IP.  Register Here!

Anthony Melone, Senior VP & CTO, Verizon Wireless

Anthony Melone is responsible for the technology, architecture, planning, design and operation of the company's coast-to-coast wireless voice and data network.
Melone has 25 years of telecommunications experience, including operations and engineering positions of increasing responsibility with the former Bell Atlantic. He joined Bell Atlantic Mobile's network operations group in 1996, and in 2000 was named staff vice president of network planning and administration when Verizon Wireless was formed.
Prior to his current appointment in July 2007, Melone served as vice president of network operations with responsibility for Verizon Wireless' nationwide network operations, including overall quality assurance, implementation of new products and services within the network, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Register Here!

Sue Marek, Editor-In-Chief, FierceWireless
Marek, previously executive editor at Wireless Week, serves as Editor-in-Chief of FierceWireless, the flagship publication of parent company, FierceMarkets. Marek also heads FierceMarkets' Wireless Telecom Group of publications, including FierceDeveloper, FierceWiFi, FierceWireless:Europe, and FierceMobileContent. Marek is the Chairman of The Path to 4G. Register Here!

Paul Obsitnik, Senior VP of Business Development, Bridgewave Communications

Paul Obsitnik has more than 17 years experience in the wireless and communications industry.  Having worked for both service providers and equipment manufacturers as well as having had roles ranging from product management to business development to sales, he approaches the market with a broad view of both the technical and business challenges associated with the evolution of mobile networks.  He has presented at numerous conferences and tradeshows in his career and is in constant discussion with some of the largest mobile operators in the world allowing him to comment authoritatively on the state and evolution of mobile networks today.  Early in his career, Obsitnik served in several engineering roles as a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy.  Obsitnik holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy as well as a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Register Here!

Chris Pearson, President, 3G Americas, LLC
In his role as the president and senior operating officer, Chris Pearson is responsible for strategic planning and provides executive management for the integration of strategy and operations in the areas of marketing, public relations, finance as well as public and regulatory affairs. Previously, he was Executive Vice President at Universal Wireless Communications Consortium and Strategic Alliance Manager at AT&T Wireless Services in Kirkland, WA. Mr. Pearson holds an MBA from Seattle University and a BA in Marketing and Finance from the school of Business at the University of Washington. Register Here!

Kris Rinne, Senior VP of Architecture & Planning, AT&T

Kris Rinne is responsible for the IT and Network architecture and planning for AT&T.  This includes setting the direction for the Network, BSS/OSS Systems, Services, etc.  She is also responsible for the wireless network infrastructure and device technology vendor selection and first office implementation.  She has responsible for Product Development for AT&T products and services both wireless and wireline. 
Prior to this position, Rinne served as Cingular’s chief technology officer with similar responsibilities.
She earlier served as vice president—Technology and Product Realization, responsible for new product development from a technology standpoint, handset certification, and infrastructure vendor coordination. Register Here!

Taylor Salman, Solutions Marketing Director, Ciena

Taylor Salman's primary responsibility is the wireless backhaul market. He has over 17 years experience in telecommunications engineering, business development, and marketing, covering a broad array of data networking technologies. He joined Ciena from RCN Business Solutions, an MSO providing data transport and IP services to the enterprise. As Director of Business Solutions Marketing, his product development projects included MPLS QOS and VPNs, VOIP, cellular backhaul, storage/recovery, and international circuits. Prior to RCN, Mr. Salman was Director of Business Development and Marketing for Opnet Technologies where he successfully launched new products for UMTS, WiMax, MPLS, RPR, WiFi, Bluetooth, Docsis, and mobile ad hoc network analysis and planning. Register Here!

Michael Sievert, Chief Commercial Officer, Clearwire
As chief commercial officer, Mike Sievert directs the company’s customer-facing organizations, managing both the Clear-branded “retail” and wholesale businesses. Sievert’s functional responsibilities include product development, marketing, sales, distribution, customer care, and technical support, including the Wholesale and strategic partnerships groups. He most recently served as CEO and co-founder of Switchbox Labs, Inc., a development company sold to Lenovo Group in 2009. Previously, Sievert was corporate vice president of the worldwide Windows business group, at Microsoft Corporation. Prior to Microsoft, he served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer at AT&T Wireless, and chief sales and marketing officer at E*TRADE Financial. He began his career with management positions at Procter & Gamble and IBM. Sievert joined Clearwire in May, 2009 and reports to CEO Bill Morrow. Register Here!

Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, Director, Mobile Broadband Opportunities, Strategy Analytics
Susan Welsh de Grimaldo joined Strategy Analytics in 2008 as Senior Analyst, Wireless Network Strategies, Global Wireless Practice. She brings over a decade of experience developing strategy and analyzing trends in the wireless industry. Her recommendations are invaluable to clients across the mobile value chain as they tackle critical issues such as 3G/4G plans, cost savings and revenue growth opportunities, backhaul, and voice/data business models. Previous positions include Strategic Business Manager, General Dynamics Wireless Services and Director, Wireless Consulting, The Strategis Group. Register Here!

Mel Yarbrough, Chief Revenue Officer, Towerstream

As the Chief Revenue Officer for Towerstream, Mel Yarbrough is responsible for the strategic development and execution of the company's corporate plans. Subsequently, Yarbrough is charged with the leadership of the Sales, Marketing, Customer Care, Engineering and Operations departments. Mr. Yarbrough comes to Towerstream from Hoovers (D&B; Dun and Bradstreet), where he served as VP of Business Development and VP of Subscription Sales. Prior to joining D&B, Yarbrough spent nearly a decade in several executive sales and marketing positions, including roles at StarCite and Handango. During this time, he spearheaded efforts to achieve new revenue growth, increased operational efficiencies, and fostered business development activities. Yarbrough holds a BA in Economics and Business from Southern Methodist University and a Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt University School of Law. Register Here!

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