Technology >> CEO Interviews >> September 2, 2002
WALTER V. PURNELL JR. is President and Chief Executive Officer
for Motient Corporation. He joined Motient in March 1998 as
President following the company's acquisition of ARDIS' Company,
where he was President and Chief Executive Officer. In January
1999, Mr. Purnell assumed additional duties as CEO. He is
responsible for the entrepreneurial leadership and executive
management of all Motient operations. Prior to his role at
Motient, Mr. Purnell served as Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer at ARDIS Company upon its formation. He was promoted to
Senior Vice President and later became President and CEO. Before
joining ARDIS Company he held a variety of management positions
with IBM for 23 years. Mr. Purnell is a founding member of the
Worldwide Wireless Data Network Operators Group and currently
serves as its Chairperson. In 1998, he was named 'Mobile Maven'
by Mobile Insights, a title bestowed upon leaders who have made
significant contributions to the mobile computing industry. He
holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and a Master of
Business Administration degree in Finance from Syracuse
University. Profile
Motient Corporation?
Mr. Purnell: Part of the history of the company is that the
original name was American Mobile Satellite
