DIGICEL, THE Caribbean-based mobile phone provider, announced yesterday that it would appoint Raoul Fontanez as Digicel's group chief executive officer. After serving as Digicel Group CEO for five years, Seamus Lynch will join the company's board of directors and work closely with chairman Denis O'Brien to develop other telecoms opportunities. Both Fontanez and Lynch will assume their new roles on September 1, 2004.
As Digicel's new CEO, Raoul Fontanez will leverage 20 years of industry and regional experience. Most recently, Mr. Fontanez was the CEO of Orange Dominicana (Dominican Republic) and Orange Carabe (French West Indies), where he was responsible for business strategy and expansion activities including successful large-scale development and deployment of mobile offerings.
NEW PHASE OF GROWTH
Raoul will utilise his telecom expertise and knowledge of Caribbean business to expand Digicel's current operation to new countries while reinforcing the company's commitment to superior customer service.
"Raoul's proven leadership and experience in the Caribbean ideally position him to successfully lead Digicel through its next phase of growth," said Denis O'Brien, founder and chairman, Digicel group. "His understanding of the wireless industry and the dynamic Caribbean marketplace align perfectly with our goals for continued investment in the expansion of Digicel's network."
O'Brien added, "Seamus has been an invaluable asset as the group CEO of Digicel over the past five years. He has been instrumental in successfully launching Digicel as the first competitor to enter the Jamaican wireless market. His dedication enabled the company to surpass local and Caribbean competitors to become the mobile provider of choice. I look forward to working with him in his new role on the board."
Prior to his tenure at Orange, Raoul held senior sales and marketing positions with Teknekron Communications Systems, Ericsson-GE Mobile Communications and Cellular One.
"I am excited to be joining Digicel and working with a staff that is known for its dedication and passion to be the best," said Mr. Raoul Fontanez. "Digicel is poised for additional expansion throughout the Caribbean and will continue to strive to provide innovative services and excellent customer service to the communities that we serve."
Mr. Fontanez will be based in Jamaica, and will work closely with Seamus Lynch during a transition period through October 2004.
"I have worked with an outstanding team of employees over the last five years who have contributed to my personal growth and Digicel's tremendous success," said Seamus Lynch. "I am looking forward to my new role as a board director and the opportunity to work closely with Denis on his other telecommunications business ventures."
Digicel has recently moved its company headquarters to a new location adjacent to the Jamaica headquarters in the heart of Kingston. Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the fastest growing mobile telecommunications operator in the Caribbean. The company's success and rapid expansion is in its ability to win the majority market share from incumbents within months of launching in each market of operation.
Digicel operates in seven countries including Aruba, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is the largest GSM mobile operator in the region and plans to extend their footprints into other Caribbean countries.
Digicel is headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, and has approximately 900 employees. The company is the lead sponsor of Caribbean sports teams including, the West Indies cricket team, Special Olympics teams across the Caribbean and is title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Football Union Cup, which involves over 30 Caribbean companies.
