About Us

About Us

Leadership Team

 

Mary N. Dillon 
President and Chief Executive Officer

Mary N. DillonMary N. Dillon is President and CEO of U.S. Cellular, a position she has held since June 2010. She is passionate about leveraging consumer insights and customer-focused strategies to propel share gains and profitable growth. With Dillon's strategic direction, the company has focused on delivering the best wireless experience through its array of industry-first initiatives that reward loyalty and inspire customer advocacy.

Under Dillon's leadership, U.S. Cellular has accelerated its 4G LTE deployment and implemented aggressive strategies to offer high-demand devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S III. The company has expanded into new distribution channels while maintaining industry-leading customer satisfaction levels that advance the brand and drive profitability and shareholder value.

Prior to joining U.S. Cellular, Dillon served as global chief marketing officer and executive vice president for McDonald's Corporation. She led the company's worldwide marketing efforts and global brand strategy. Prior to joining McDonald's, Dillon was president of the Quaker Foods division of PepsiCo Corporation and was responsible for business operations. She held several positions of increasing responsibility at PepsiCo, including vice president of marketing for Gatorade.

Dillon has been on the board of directors for Target Corporation since 2007. She also serves as vice chair and executive committee member for CTIA. In addition, she is on the board of trustees for Loyola Academy, the board of directors for Northshore University Health System and serves on the Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago. She is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and The Chicago Network. Dillon was named one of FierceWireless' "Most Influential Women in Wireless" in 2011 and 2012 and was named a "Top Woman in Wireless" by RCR Wireless News in 2012.

The Chicago native earned her bachelor's degree in marketing and Asian studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dillon resides with her husband and four children in the Chicago suburbs.

 

Steven T. Campbell 
Executive Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Steven T. Campbell Steve Campbell serves as U.S. Cellular's executive vice president, finance, chief financial officer and treasurer. In this position, Campbell is responsible for overseeing the company's financial activities and interests, as well as playing a key role in supporting the executive leadership team that continuously focuses on maximizing customer satisfaction. He leads the company's accounting and financial reporting, financial planning and analysis, and treasury functions. In addition, his team is responsible for long-term business strategies, risk management, intercarrier business, legal and regulatory affairs, real estate leasing and site services, and supply chain activities.

Prior to joining U.S. Cellular as vice president and controller in 2005, Campbell held senior leadership positions at 3Com Corporation, U.S. Robotics Corporation and Amoco Corporation. He began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Campbell is a certified public accountant, and has an MBA degree from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a B.S. degree in accounting from Quincy University. He resides with his family in the Chicago area.

 

Jeffrey J. Childs 
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Jeffrey J. Childs Jeff Childs, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, is responsible for hiring great leaders and associates, developing their skills, providing them with the proper tools and removing unnecessary distractions so that they can deliver the ideal customer experience to U.S. Cellular customers.

With more than 30 years of diverse experience in sales, marketing, operations and human resources, Childs joined U.S. Cellular in January 2004 and oversees all human resource related activities including hiring and organizational development within the corporation. Adhering to the overall U.S. Cellular philosophy that strong leadership drives associate satisfaction - which in turn leads to strong customer satisfaction - Childs develops and implements specific initiatives that provide enhanced training and development for all associates.

Prior to joining U.S. Cellular, Childs was a senior partner with Brimstone Consulting Group, LLC where he was responsible for providing leadership, and organizational change management, and business consulting services to senior-level executives. Previously, Childs served as a key leader in the transformation of human resources at Ameritech/SBC.

He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Ball State University, where he studied business management and economics. Childs is also a graduate of the University of Michigan's Global Leadership Program. He serves on the human resources and pension committees of the Chicago Metropolitan YMCA, is incoming chair of Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC), and is a board member of Junior Achievement of Chicago. Childs resides in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and their son.

 

Carter Elenz 
Executive Vice President, Sales and Customer Service

Carter S. ElenzAs U.S. Cellular's executive vice president, sales and customer service, Carter Elenz is responsible for growing the carrier's customer base and ensuring that the sales and customer service teams are the most customer-focused in the industry. Elenz is passionately focused on leading our frontline associates and agents to deliver an integrated customer experience across multiple channels. Elenz also proudly provides leadership for the company's annual Calling All Communities campaign, which has awarded $3 million to schools across the country since 2008.

Elenz joined U.S. Cellular in April 2011 and brought more than 25 years of customer-focused experience from the consumer package goods industry. His sales, marketing, operations and general management experience was honed through previous roles at emerging companies like Seventh Generation, Sensia Beverage, and Stonyfield Farm and with well-established brands at Quaker Oats. During his tenure at these companies, he was responsible for developing strategy, creating new capabilities and building teams.

Elenz earned a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind.

 

Michael S. Irizarry, Ph.D. 
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Engineering and Information Services

Michael S. Irizarry, Ph.D. Mike Irizarry, who joined U.S. Cellular in 2002, oversees the company's information systems and technology as well as all of the company's technological operations including wireless towers, network build-outs for new markets, network operations and technological advancements.

Irizarry and his team are responsible for U.S. Cellular's ongoing deployment of advanced CDMA and 4G LTE technologies, which enable the company to offer a variety of high-speed data services that allow its customers to browse the web, watch videos, play games and access time-saving applications on their cutting-edge devices. Their commitment to continuously enhancing the network is one of the reasons U.S. Cellular has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier.

Irizarry also leads U.S. Cellular's information systems, strategic operations program and enterprise program management teams. The teams focus on application development, data warehousing, wireless billing technologies and support for data centers and end users, all of which help associates provide the best customer service in the industry.

Prior to joining U.S. Cellular, Irizarry held executive positions with Verizon, Bell Atlantic Mobile, Paging Network, Inc., and Motorola. He is a senior member of the Association for Computing Machinery as well as the I.E.E.E. and its communications and computer societies. Irizarry earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from Cleveland Technical College, a master of science in information management and an MBA from the International School of Information Management, and a doctorate in Communications Technology from Capella University's School of Business and Technology. He is also a graduate of University of Chicago's executive management program. Irizarry lives in Barrington Hills, Ill., with his wife and their four children.

 

David Kimbell 
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

David KimbellAs senior vice president of marketing and chief marketing officer, David Kimbell is responsible for the development of strategic branding and communications initiatives that drive customer growth and loyalty while enhancing the company's position as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. The customer and product strategy, sales operations, brand, field marketing, media relations, strategic partnerships and analytical services teams report to Kimbell.

Kimbell has 16 years of marketing experience and an extensive background in consumer insights, brand positioning and social media strategy. Prior to joining U.S. Cellular in February, 2011, he served as chief marketing officer and senior vice president at Seventh Generation, the nation's leading environmentally-friendly household products company. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at PepsiCo, including vice president of marketing for the Quaker Foods division, as well as key brand management positions at Procter & Gamble.

Kimbell earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and Management from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., and a Master of Business Administration from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. He serves on the Krannert Graduate School Board of Advisors and has held a variety of supporting roles with the United Way. Kimbell lives in Wilmette, Ill. with his wife and two children.

 

Rochelle J. Boersma 
Vice President, Agent Effectiveness

Rochelle J. Boersma Rochelle J. Boersma serves as vice president of agent effectiveness. She is focused on the contributions of the company's agent channel. In this role, Boersma is responsible for ensuring successful implementation of company initiatives for U.S. Cellular's more than 1,000 agent partners as well as driving business results and skill development in the agent channel.

Previously, Boersma served as vice president of sales for the Midwest Region, where she led the engineering, finance, operations and sales departments that serve U.S. Cellular customers in Illinois and Indiana. In this role, she provided direction and support to 1,500 associates to ensure customer satisfaction.

Boersma has served in many leadership roles since joining the company in 2002. As vice president of customer service, she was dedicated to maintaining customer privacy and testified before Congress on our policies to protect private customer data. She was committed to driving consistency and collaboration between multiple customer service centers, role clarity for leaders and effective communications, and she implemented a virtual-call-routing system. Having also served as vice president of sales operations, Boersma has extensive knowledge of the company's direct and indirect distribution channels, as well as day-to-day sales operations.

Boersma has worked in the telecommunications industry for 24 years. She earned a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and is on the board of the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center. Boersma resides in Chicago.

 

Thomas P. Catani 
Vice President, Sales, East Region

Thomas P. Catani Tom Catani, vice president of sales for the East Region, provides direction and support to more than 1,200 associates in markets spanning Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. With 27 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Catani supports U.S. Cellular's customer satisfaction strategy by regularly communicating with customers and associates to ensure that the company is providing the very best in products and services.

Catani, who joined U.S. Cellular in 1997, most recently served as senior director of sales and marketing for the company's East Region. In that position, he led the successful formation of the company's first state-of-the-art Customer Care Center in Knoxville, Tenn. Prior to this position, Catani spent 15 years with Lucent Technologies in such positions as area general manager, sales trainer and sales manager.

Catani holds an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Illinois in Champaign. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Knoxville Area Urban League, Leadership Knoxville and the Knoxville Opera Company. He resides in Knoxville, Tenn., with his wife, three daughters and two sons.

 

John M. Cregier 
Vice President, Information Technology

John M. Cregier John Cregier's team of 450 associates makes sure that every aspect of the company's information systems delivers an ideal experience to our wireless customers. Cregier oversees all areas of information technology, including application development, infrastructure, enterprise architecture and delivery.

While Cregier's team doesn't work directly with customers, their technology provides the foundation for frontline associates to help customers who visit our stores or contact our customer care centers. Access to information about products and services, and the systems to handle customer questions quickly and easily, allow frontline associates to focus on taking care of their customers.

Their emphasis on the customer experience is driven by values and behaviors that are part of the company's culture. Associates treat each other with respect, communicate openly, know they can get help when they need it and have confidence in their leaders.

Cregier joined the company 22 years ago and has held leadership positions in operations, marketing, and information services. As the senior director of product development and management for the marketing team, he was responsible for the initial launch of the company's wireless data services.

Prior to joining U.S. Cellular, Cregier held IT roles with Ameritech Mobile Communications and Automatic Data Processing. He earned his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Illinois State University and received an MBA from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, with concentrations in Marketing, Management & Strategy, and Organizational Behavior. Cregier resides in Bartlett, Ill., with his family.

 

Nancy Fratzke 
Vice President, Customer Care Centers

Nancy FratzkeAs vice president, customer care centers, Nancy Fratzke's team plays an integral role in U.S. Cellular's dedication to providing the best customer experience. She is responsible for delivering the company's award-winning customer satisfaction at each of the company's five customer care centers. She oversees day-to-day operations of the call centers and leads the more than 2,000 associates at these care centers, ensuring that during each customer interaction, they treat customers like neighbors, not numbers.

Fratzke joined U.S. Cellular in 1999 as a customer service representative and has been successful at a variety of service-oriented positions, including resolution team coach, customer service manager, call center director, director of sales for the Oklahoma and Texas markets, interim regional vice president of sales for the West region and senior director, customer care centers. She previously held manager positions at Landsberg Associates in Lenexa, Kan., and Massco Inc. in Kansas City, Mo. Fratzke holds a Bachelor of Science degree in public relations from Northwest Missouri State University. She resides in Broken Arrow, Okla. with her family.

 

John C. Gockley 
Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs

John C. Gockley As vice president of legal and regulatory affairs for U.S. Cellular, John Gockley provides counsel to the company's leadership team regarding legal issues, including transactional, regulatory, telecommunications, environmental, employment and financial. With 26 years of diverse telecommunications experience, Gockley also leads the company's regulatory efforts at both the federal and state levels.

Before joining U.S. Cellular in 2007, Gockley served as vice president and associate general counsel of regulatory and interconnection at Broadwing Communications. During his career he has served as counsel for various companies including Allegiance Telecom, Ameritech Corporation and Illinois Bell Telephone Company.

Gockley holds a bachelor of arts degree in history from Fordham University, a J.D. from John Marshall Law School and a master's of law degree in taxation from DePaul University. He currently resides in Lisle, Ill., with his family.

 

Jeffrey S. Hoersch 
Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis

Jeffrey S. Hoersch As vice president of financial planning and analysis, Jeff Hoersch is responsible for providing financial leadership to the organization in support of its customer-centric strategy. His team is responsible for, among other things, strategic and corporate development, intercarrier services, budgeting and forecasting, financial analytics and support, and data governance.

Hoersch has been in the wireless industry for more than 17 years, 13 of those with U.S. Cellular. During his tenure with U.S. Cellular he has held a variety of positions including director of finance and accounting - Central Region, director of the finance roadmap program and most recently, director of business planning and analysis - Central Region. Prior to joining U.S. Cellular, Hoersch held a variety of finance positions with BellSouth Wireless.

A certified public accountant, Hoersch earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from Marquette University and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He lives in Elgin, Ill., with his wife and three children.

 

Katherine L. Hust 
Vice President, Sales, Mid-Central Region

Katherine L. HustAs vice president of sales for the Mid-Central Region, Kathy Hust oversees strategies on customer growth and retention, data expansion, associate sales performance and driving new company initiatives in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. She also provides direction and support to approximately 2,800 U.S. Cellular associates in the region.

Most recently, Hust served as vice president of the Central Region where she was responsible for managing sales, finance, operations and engineering for U.S. Cellular's customers. Having served in this role since 2002, Hust increased the number of new U.S. Cellular customers and focused on satisfying existing customers in the Central Region by committing her regional sales associates to providing the very best customer service at each step of the sales process.

Hust joined U.S. Cellular in 1997 as a district sales manager and has since held numerous management positions including regional sales manager, area sales manager, area retail manager and director of sales for California and southern Oregon.

Prior to joining U.S. Cellular, she held management positions with Cellular One/Bell South Cellular. Hust earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee and has a certificate in management from Marquette University. She is a member of the board of directors for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the board of directors for the Better Business Bureau of Chicago & Northern Illinois, the board of directors of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee and the board of trustees of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. Hust, a Milwaukee native, resides in the area with her family.

 

Denise M. Hutton 
Vice President, Multi-Channel Strategy and Operations

Denise M. Hutton As vice president of multi-channel strategy and operations, Denise Hutton is responsible for leading and developing all aspects of U.S. Cellular's multi-channel vision, strategy and operations for sales and customer service. She collaborates and gathers insights from her various teams to create a consistent, exceptional customer experience across multiple channels of service and distribution including all retail touch points, online sales and customer care.

In her previous role as vice president of organizational learning, Hutton was responsible for the design and execution of the company-wide learning and organizational development strategy, while ensuring that associates and leaders had the training, education and professional growth opportunities needed to deliver an outstanding customer experience.

Hutton has been with U.S. Cellular for 15 years beginning her career as a retail wireless consultant in Milwaukee. She has served in several leadership roles in the company, including director or sales in multiple markets and director of the customer care center in Tulsa, Okla. She was promoted to vice president of organizational learning in November 2010.

Hutton earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee and holds certificates in Instructional Design and Organizational Development. She stays involved in her community through various volunteer activities and currently serves as the committee chair for junior showmanship in the American Eskimo Dog Club of America. Hutton is married with one son, loves animals and enjoys spending time on the family farm with her award-winning show dogs.

 

Kevin R. Lowell 
Vice President, National Network Operations

Kevin R. Lowell Kevin Lowell, vice president, national network operations for U.S. Cellular, joined the company in 2003. Promoted to his current position in December 2005, Lowell's responsibilities include ensuring the superior quality of U.S. Cellular's voice and data network; leading the development, implementation and audits of current and new wireless network designs and ensuring standards are met. Lowell also leads engineering teams at all of U.S. Cellular's network operations centers.

In his seven years with U.S. Cellular, Kevin has served as senior director of engineering and network operations for the company's Central and West regions. In those positions, Kevin led engineering teams to ensure that U.S. Cellular's quality wireless network was operating to industry standards in each U.S. Cellular service area.

Prior to joining U.S. Cellular, Lowell held various leadership positions for Sprint PCS, including director of network field operations. Lowell holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature from UCLA. He lives in Streamwood, Ill., with his wife and two children.

 

Edward Perez 
Vice President, Sales and Marketing Operations

Edward Perez As vice president of marketing and sales operations, Ed Perez guides U.S. Cellular's critical growth initiatives such as data services and cutting-edge devices that maintain the company's strategic portfolio of advanced technology that its customers deserve. In this role, Perez leads the customer experience marketing, product development and sales operations teams.

Perez's career with U.S. Cellular began 14 years ago in marketing. Since then, he has held positions of increasing responsibility, including senior director of sales and marketing for the company's West and Central regions, senior director of marketing's product group, and interim senior director of brand management when U.S. Cellular launched its new brand (Believe in Something Better). Most recently, he was senior director of business support/operations support in the company's strategic operations program.

U.S. Cellular encourages its associates to contribute to their communities. Perez has set an example by volunteering his time to the Salvation Army, the United Way, numerous Hispanic organizations and the chambers of commerce in Milwaukee, St. Louis and Tulsa. He is also on the Board of Directors of Metropolitan Family Services in DuPage.

Perez is a native of St. Louis and earned a B.S. in marketing from Missouri State University. He lives in Glen Ellyn, Ill., with his wife and three children.

 

Thomas S. Weber 
Vice President, Financial and Real Estate Services

Thomas S. Weber As U.S. Cellular's vice president financial and real estate services, Tom Weber is responsible for the company's revenue assurance, payment control, associate and agent commissions, payroll, accounts payable, process improvement and real estate services. Weber joined the company in 1992.

Prior to joining U.S. Cellular, Weber held various finance and accounting positions with Chrysler Corporation. Weber, a certified public accountant, earned a bachelor of science degree from DePaul University and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Weber serves on the DePaul University College of Commerce Dean's Advisory Council. He and his wife reside in Itasca, Ill., with their two children.

 

Nick B. Wright 
Vice President, Sales, West Region

Nick B. Wright Nick Wright serves as the vice president of sales for U.S. Cellular's West Region, providing guidance and support to more than 1,000 associates across the company's markets in California, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Washington. Wright is focused on growing the company's market share and retaining current customers by providing the best products and services backed by the most knowledgeable and customer-focused associates in the industry.

Before his current position, Wright served as senior director of sales and marketing for the West Region. He joined U.S. Cellular in 1993 and has served in a variety of leadership roles during his career with the company.

Prior to joining U.S. Cellular, Wright served in management positions for Household Finance Corporation. He received a bachelor of science degree in business administration and criminal justice from Central Missouri State University. Wright, his wife and two sons reside in Bixby, Okla.