Diversified Search Fills CEO Post for Telecommunications Industry Association
June 16, 2017 – Diversified Search has recruited Wes Johnston as the chief executive officer of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). John Keller, managing director and leader of the firm’s technology and innovation practice, led the search along with Michel Deschapelles, managing director in the Miami office.
Mr. Johnston comes to TIA with more than 25 years of experience leading and transforming technology and telecom businesses. Most recently, he was the managing director for technology, media and telecommunications at the Gores Group, a global private equity firm. The selection of Mr. Johnston is part of a broader strategic initiative by TIA to invest in, and stay ahead of, the changing needs of members and rapid industry advancements. In addition to his hiring, TIA recently enhanced its leadership team, adding four senior executives with deep communications industry, government and association experience.
The Perfect Fit
“Wes has a tremendous track record of driving change, being customer-focused and making an impact in the tech and telecom industries,” said David Heard, chairman of TIA’s board of directors. “He’s a perfect fit for TIA’s mission to help companies navigate through technology transformation, shifting policy environments and a dynamic innovation environment, which are causing major changes to our member companies’ business models and supply chains.”
Mr. Johnston has held board and senior executive positions with large global technology firms, as well as with dynamic start-ups. While at the Gores Group, he was a board director with Alpheus Telecommunications, Elo Touch Systems, Imagine Communications and the Tweddle Group. Prior to his work with Gores, he was executive vice president and chief operating officer with technology integrator Dimension Data, a $6 billion information and communication technology firm, where he led sales, marketing, solutions and service delivery in North and South America.
“I was drawn to TIA because its members play critical roles in supplying the innovative equipment and services that enable network connectivity,” Mr. Johnston said. “The tremendous footprint of these members makes this an exciting opportunity, as TIA adapts to a shifting policy landscape and rapid technological changes. There couldn’t be a more important time for TIA to be aligned with its member needs and focused on accelerating business opportunities and innovation.”
The Telecommunications Industry Association represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. Its goal is to enhance the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications.
The Recruiters
Mr. Keller has nearly two decades of recruiting, assessment and board advisory experience. He divides his time between his base in the New York office and his other office in San Francisco. As a recruiter and global practice leader, he has been responsible for hundreds of assignments in the technology and telecommunications sectors. His latest mission is to work with his partners at Diversified in continuing to grow the firm’s tech and telecom business, while also helping to build a global brand in transformational, growth and diversity recruiting.
Mr. Deschapelles, who works from Diversified’s Miami office, also focuses on the technology and telecommunications sectors and offers clients a combination of executive search expertise with an extensive business experience, having led enterprises in both growth and turn around environments. He has conducted thousands of executive-level candidate assessments over the past eight years.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Chase Barbe, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media