WASHINGTON, D.C. -- COMPTEL, the leading trade association for the competitive communications industry, today announced that former Mississippi Congressman Chip Pickering has been named as its CEO, effective January 2, 2014. Jerry James, who has served as COMPTEL’s CEO for the past six and a half years, plans to pursue new ventures in the telecom private sector.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I applaud Jerry for his great dedication to the mission of COMPTEL. I look forward to working with Jerry in the future, as I know he will continue making valuable contributions to our dynamic industry,” said Dale Schmick, COMPTEL chairman and COO of YourTel America Inc. “We welcome Chip to COMPTEL, and are confident that his experience and knowledge of the telecom sector will offer a strong foundation as the association continues its leadership in advocating for pro-competitive, pro-consumer policies and legislation.”

“For more than 30 years, COMPTEL has been a significant force for change in the communications industry – from the break-up of AT&T, to the passage of the ’96 Telecom Act and ushering in of the information age,” Pickering said. “COMPTEL’s advocacy work has been responsible for creating an environment that fostered billions of dollars of investments, product and service innovation and hundreds of thousands of new jobs.”

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