The Citizen (Auburn, New York), August 19, 2006, Saturday

The Citizen (Auburn, New York)

Unwiring a successful career
By Harold MillerSaturday,
August 19, 2006 11:40 PM EDT
http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2006/08/20/news/lake_life/lakelife02.txt

While it is true that most of our talented young men and women have to leave Auburn to seek their fortune, this is only half of the story. This area's excellent educational systems, plus an abundance of families dedicated to their children's upbringing and education, equip our young people to compete very well in the outside world.
Mark Fanning is a case in point. The fourth of seven Fanning children, Mark was educated in our local school system, then Cayuga County Community College. He then advanced to Cornell University, following in his father Marty's footsteps by seeking a career in industrial and labor relations.
A few years after graduation, Mark took a job with Scott Paper Company in Seattle, Wash. While there, he learned about the brilliant, reclusive Craig McCaw who is to wireless communications what Bill Gates is to computers.Success is preparedness associated with opportunity but the trick is to recognize the opportunity. Twenty years ago, the wireless communications business was in its infancy. Less than 1 percent of our population had cellular telephones but young Fanning, recognizing the growth opportunity in the field of wireless communications, took a job with MaCaw Cellular in 1989.With the help of a core of hard working, bright young people like Mark, MaCaw Cellular soon became the largest company in the business. Then MaCaw sold his company to AT&T.
He then took his winnings from the table and bought a small, struggling cellular company called Nextel and subsequently built Nextel into, arguably, what many considered to be the best and most successful cellular phone company. Then MaCaw's genius created a spin off called Nextel Partners, whose mission was to “connect the dots” by building national coverage for all the local and regional Nextel companies.For Nextel Partners, MaCaw invited the best of all who had worked in his various companies to invest in this keystone enterprise. Mark Fanning was the third person to join as vice president of people development and one of the eight executive officers of Nextel Partners.
In the final chapter of this saga of success, Sprint Corporation made Nextel an offer they could not refuse. Craig MaCaw accepted the offer in the belief that the fragmented cellular phone companies must consolidate to survive. Nextel Partners, as a separate entity, was sold $6.5 billion.Mark is now unplugged from his high profile career. Although still based in Seattle, he is enjoying time with his wife, Vicky, and their beautiful family at one of their homes on Owasco Lake. However, this may not last too long.Today there are 200 million cellular phones in use in this country, but the wireless communications business is still in its early stages of development. Craig MaCaw's vision from the outset was one telephone number for every person not tied to an address and not tied to a wire. This concept is being extended to computers.Globalization will be next. As it is now, there are many diverse cellular networks around the world but that will change.
MaCaw's vision will be expanded to one telephone number for every person, not tied to a wire and not tied to an address - anywhere in the world!
Mark Fanning will probably not be allowed to spend too much more time boating on Owasco Lake and playing with his children all day. His dynamic personality, proven ability and experience in the growing field of wireless communications is much in demand. Before long, someone is bound to give him an offer he can't refuse.Harold Miller is a businessman and Auburn native. He may be reached at hmillermod@aol.com