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TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES TO BE RECOGNIZED AT ANNUAL AWARDS GALA

ATLANTA – October 22, 2007 – The Atlanta Telecom Professionals (ATP), a non-profit association created to provide educational events for the exchange of important industry information, opportunities for networking, and the recognition of excellence in the Atlanta communications industry, is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2007 Atlanta Telecom Professional of the Year Awards Gala on November 13.

In its fourth year, the ATP of the Year Awards Gala honors the positive contribution the Atlanta communications industry provides to the economy and the community as a whole. The nominees who are participating in this year’s gala are: Vincent Oddo, president and CEO, Access Integrated Networks; Cy Smith, CEO, Airsage; Mark Collins, vice president data services, AT&T Mobility; Glenn Lurie, vice president, AT&T Mobility; Chris Gatch, CIO, Cbeyond; Paul Domorski, CEO, EMS Technologies; R. Stanley Allen, CEO, FirstMile Communications; Ben Treadway, president, Fulton Communications; Marcus Graham, president, GMvoices; James DeBlasio, CEO, Internap; David Guthrie, CIO, Premiere Global Services; and Steve Beason, vice president and CTO, Scientific Games.

In previous years, ATP has recognized key influential figures including Ralph de la Vega, currently CEO, AT&T Mobility; Jim Geiger, president and CEO, Cbeyond; and Don Berryman, formerly EVP and president municipal wireless networks, EarthLink, with the coveted Atlanta Telecom Profession of the Year award. Additionally, the organization has honored Stephen Schilling, currently President and CEO, Cypress Communications; Dr. H. Allen Ecker, SVP, Scientific-Atlanta; Garry Betty, former CEO, EarthLink; Jack Plating, currently COO Verizon Wireless; and Bob Shingler, previously CEO, Cypress Communications, for their leadership and innovation in the telecom industry.

In 2005, ATP added an Enterprise Award to recognize an executive who advances the Atlanta communications community by implementing and utilizing innovative technologies within their organization. This year’s nominees for the Enterprise Awards are: Thomas Barge, vice president IT, Beaulieu; Larry Clark, CIO, Randstad North America; Rod Parks, CIO, The Salvation Army; and Bill Gruszka, CIO, Southern Polytechnic University. In previous years, the organization has recognized Robert Bennett, formerly CIO of HomeBanc, and Elaine Norman, VP IT, American Cancer Society Southeast.

The ATP is also pleased to announce Counse Broders, Senior Research Director at Current Analysis, as the keynote speaker for the Awards Gala on November 13. Current Analysis provides competitive response solutions to help companies across the telecommunications, networking, and infrastructure software industries improve their business performance. Mr. Broders’ remarks will be followed by the presentation of  the awards, in which winners will be able to provide remarks. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Richard Warner, host of the television show Georgia’s Business, on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Mr. Warner is also CEO of What’s Up Interactive, an award winning web consulting firm.

The 2007 Awards Gala will be held at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia and will begin with a cocktail hour, followed by a semi-formal dinner.

Premier sponsors of the event are EarthLink, FiberLight, Presidio, and Sprint. Other sponsors include Adva Optical, Cbeyond, Cogent, Cypress Communications, Global Crossing, GMVoices, North Highland, Southern PolyTech, Staffing Technologies, Tatum, Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), and TekSystems. The event is open to the public and sponsorships, tables, and individual seats are still available.

Atlanta Telecom Professionals

Atlanta Telecom Professionals (ATP) exists to meet the professional development and networking needs of its members - telecom, cable, and Internet professionals in Atlanta and the Southeastern region of the United States. ATP provides a host of membership benefits in the areas of professional development and networking and provides an active forum to voice concerns on telecom related issues. To join ATP or for more information, please visit the web site at www.telecompros.org.

Media Contact for the Awards Gala:
Joe Wilson
ATPY Communications Manager
(404) 457-6421
joewilsonatl@yahoo.com

Jenifer Juarez
ATP Vice President
(404) 352-4513
jenifer.juarez@gmail.com