Technology >> CEO Interviews >> October 19, 2000
DAVID HESS serves as CEO of Rapid Link Communications, Inc. Mr. Hess
took over the position in August 2000 from outgoing CEO and founder T.
Dewey Wise. As CEO, he is focused on enhancing and expanding Rapid
Link's service offerings into international enterprise markets, creating
a next-generation business plan, and positioning the company as a global
leader of Internet Protocol (IP) communications services. Mr. Hess has
been an active and successful member of the telecommunications industry
since 1984, serving in many executive positions with leading
communication companies. Most recently, Mr. Hess assisted in the
integration of his company, Long Distance International (LDI), into
World Access. The acquisition of Mr. Hess's company, LDI, allowed World
Access to enter the European retail market with a strong small- to
medium-sized enterprise customer base that he groomed from 14,000 to
over 22,000 during his tenure. Mr. Hess also assisted in several other
telecom acquisitions by World Access, including STAR Telecommunications,
Facilicom, WorldxChange Communications, and NewTel. His successes
include increasing the company's revenue to approximately $80 million in
the B2B marketplace throughout nine European countries from 1998 to
1999. Mr. Hess also distinguished himself as President and Chief
Operating Officer of TotalTel USA from 1997 to 1999. TotalTel USA, a
publicly traded company, marketed services regionally in the Northeast
to enterprise customers. Along with these specific positions, Mr. Hess
has also been a member of such distinguished telecommunication companies
as Sprint and MCI, where he served in various sales positions. He is a
graduate of Bowling Green State University where he received his
Bachelor's of Arts in Communications with a minor in marketing. Profile
Inc.?
Mr. Hess: Rapid Link has evolved out of a company that has been around
since 1994. It initially started its business
