Technology >> CEO Interviews >> November 16, 1998
HENRY C. (HARRY) HIRSCH is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President of Advanced Radio Telecom (ART) (NASDAQ:ARTT). Mr. Hirsch has
been instrumental in formulating ART's broadband network strategy.
'Utilizing the latest in packet switched technology, ART will build and
operate a national broadband data network capable of delivering end-to-
end solutions to the vast majority of the business market place.' Prior
to joining ART, Hirsch was Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Williams Communications Group (WCG), a $1.8 billion (revenue) wholly-
owned subsidiary of The Williams Companies, Inc. Hirsch joined WilTel in
1987 as Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief
Financial Officer, and was elected to the WilTel board of directors the
same year. In 1989, as Executive Vice President, Hirsch assumed
responsibility for WilTel's sales and marketing functions while
remaining Chief Financial Officer. Hirsch joined Williams, headquartered
in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1973 and was named manager of investments and
pension fund administration with Agrico Chemical Company, a Williams
subsidiary, and was elected to the Agrico board of directors. He was
named Senior Vice President of administration in July 1982 on assuming
the additional responsibility for Agrico's supply and distribution
function. Hirsch retired from Williams in May 1997 after a 24-year
career with the company. A 1963 graduate of the United States Naval
Academy, Hirsch attended George Washington University School of
Government and Business Administration from 1969 to 1971. Following
active service in the U.S. Navy, he was employed as a trust officer in a
bank and as a financial analyst for an investment advisory/financial
consulting firm. While a 20-year resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hirsch was
active in civic affairs as a board member and officer of the Community
Service Council and the Metropolitan Human Service Commission, where he
twice served as Chairman. He now serves on the board of the Association
for Local Telecommunications Services (ALTS), and is non-executive
Chairman of the board of Infinitec Communications, a company involved
in the development of Digital Loop Carrier technology. He and his wife,
Barbara, reside in Seattle, Washington. Profile
Mr. Hirsch: Let's start with the present. ART has officially re-emerged
as an Internet Services Provider selling commercial data services
