Technology >> CEO Interviews >> November 23, 1998
CURTIS SAMPSON is Chairman and CEO of Communications Systems. Originally
owning a small local telephone company) called North American
Communications Corporation, he sold out to CONTEL in 1969. Curt
organized 9 other investors and bought a small manufacturing company
from CONTEL which is now the Suttle Apparatus Corporation subsidiary of
Communications Systems, Inc. CSI/SAC is a manufacturer of on-premise
voice (telephone) connectors as well as a growing participant in the
high-speed data communications market. Hector Communications Corporation
owns and operates independent telephone companies in Minnesota and
Wisconsin also operating cable TV systems in Minnesota and Wisconsin,
(North American Cable Corporation), in addition to owning cellular
telephone interests in Minnesota. On April 25, 1996, Alliance
Telecommunications Corporation announced the completion of the
acquisition of Ollig Utilities Company (Hector owns a 68% interest in
Alliance). In personal business, Curt recently purchased Canterbury
Downs Race Track in 1994 which is currently named Canterbury Park
located in Shakopee, MN. AWARDS: Named Minnesota Small Business Person
of the Year in 1978, Received Outstanding Achievement Award from
University of Minnesota Regents in 1996, Cy Young Award at Minnesota
Twins Fantasy Camp 1994, M.V.P. Award at Minnesota Twins Fantasy Camp
1996, WCCO Good Neighbor. CIVIC, BUSINESS & CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS:
Director Hands, Inc. Winthrop & Hutchinson MN for 30 years, Chairman
University of Minnesota Foundation Development Committee, Member
University of Minnesota Foundation Executive Committee. OUTSIDE
INTEREST: Canterbury Park, Thoroughbreds. HOBBIES: Race Horses/Race
track, Baseball, Basketball, Snowmobiling, Skiing, Windsurfing/Jet Ski,
Golf, Tennis, Farming, Hunting. COLLECTIONS: cars, boats and guns. Mr.
Sampson is married and has four children (all married) and nine
grandchildren. He enjoys taking his grandkids everywhere. He is the 7th
of 10 children. Mr. Sampson received no family financial support (and no
scholarships) for college, so he worked at several jobs while attending
U of M. He graduated in June 1955 with distinction from School of
Business Administration now Carlson School of Management, with major in
accounting. Profile
Communications Systems.
Mr. Sampson: The company was launched in 1970, but was really an
extension of an operation that I was
