S. BLAKE SWENSRUD, II, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

S. Blake Swensrud II is founder, Chairman and CEO of WorldCell, Inc. Mr. Swensrud has worked in the international telecommunications business since 1984. In 1996, Mr. Swensrud founded WorldCell, Inc. (International Mobile Communications, Inc.) and  under his leadership, WorldCell has developed several businesses, which include RSB, Ltd. (inter-standard roaming services provider), GEMS (global enterprise managed services provider), WorldCell Japan, Viking Wireless (GSM operation based in Iceland), Mobile-Mind, Inc. (SIM software and application developer), TravelComm, Corp. (Global rental roaming and prepaid roaming company), and WorldCell Korea.

In 1989, he founded International Technology Consultants Inc. (ITC), a telecommunications market analysis, business development and publishing firm specializing in international markets.  At ITC, Mr. Swensrud focused on wireless markets and technologies, working with many of the largest global telecom companies including Deutsche Telekom, US West, Comcast, Global TeleSystems, AT&T, Northern Telecom, Motorola, Ericsson, Sprint and MCI.

Prior to his involvement at ITC and WorldCell, Mr. Swensrud was the Research Director for the International Communications Policy Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C.  While at ITC, Swensrud focused primarily on International Telecommunications Trade Policy and Regulation and on social and economic impacts of telecom development in major developing countries. 

Mr. Swensrud is past President of the Young Entrepreneurs Organization, D.C. Chapter, and has served on many boards of both for-profit and non-profit organizations.  He has published numerous studies, books and articles on international telecom markets, regulation and policies, and has been an actively quoted industry source in major media.  Since 1990, Mr. Swensrud has spoken widely at conferences and at other forums on international telecom issues.  Mr. Swensrud has also advised numerous international financials institutions (NGO, Public Sector and Commercial) on telecoms policies and investments.

Mr. Swensrud was a Finalist for Ernst & Youngs 2000 Entrepreneur of the Year award and has completed post graduate work at several MIT business and leadership programs. Speaking  French, Spanish and Russian, Mr. Swensrud holds a Masters Degree in Science, Technology and Public Policy from the George Washington University School of International Affairs and an undergraduate degree from Tufts University in International Relations and Economics.