MIDDLETOWN, R.I. -- TowerStream, a leading fixed wireless Internet provider for businesses, today announced that Jeff Thompson has been named CEO of the company, effective immediately. Philip Urso, who co-founded TowerStream with Thompson, moves from CEO to Chairman of the Board. Under his new role, Thompson will oversee all strategic initiatives while continuing to solidify the company's status as a reliable and cost-effective broadband solution for the commercial market.

In 1995 Thompson founded eFortress, which grew into one of New England's largest ISPs and was eventually sold to Citadel Broadcasting in 1997. After partnering with Urso to launch TowerStream in 2000, the company leveraged second-generation multipoint fixed wireless technology to build an expandable network in major cities across the U.S. As the technology and operations leader of TowerStream, Thompson was instrumental in developing the first successful business model to deliver fixed wireless broadband.

"As TowerStream continues to grow and strengthen its position as a leading fixed wireless broadband provider, there is no executive better suited to manage the expansion than Jeff Thompson," stated Urso. "As a proven businessman and skilled engineer, Jeff makes regular appearances at industry events and is widely considered an expert in WiMAX, WiFi, and mobile VoIP. His foresight and expertise has left TowerStream well-placed as an innovative company in a very promising industry."

TowerStream was the first service provider to join the WiMAX Forum. With service currently offered in some of the largest markets in the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston and Providence, businesses of all sizes continue to benefit from TowerStream's rapid installations and reliable broadband connection. The service supports VoIP, bandwidth-on-demand, wireless redundancy, VPNs, disaster recovery, bundled data, and video services.

"I am honored by the company's decision," said Thompson. "Over the past five years, it has been a tremendous experience to bring TowerStream's fixed wireless service into some of the nation's top markets. The global momentum behind WiMAX and its implications for the future of the Internet, as well as the dedication I see everyday from TowerStream's team of professionals, leads me to believe that the company has an extremely bright future ahead."

TowerStream Corp.