ARDIS Announces Executive Appointments
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. — August 25, 1992 — ARDIS(TM), a joint venture between Motorola Inc. and IBM and creator of the first commercially available two-way radio data communications service in the United States, today announced two executive appointments.
Jack W. Blumenstein, president and chief executive officer, has been appointed chairman. Prior to joining ARDIS, Blumenstein served as vice president, business development for IBM, United States. He assumes the position from Mort Topfer, who had served the company as chairman since 1991. Topfer is also the president and general manager of Motorola's Land Mobile Products Sector located in Schaumburg, Ill.
Prior to his most recent responsibility of developing the Sector's worldwide business portfolio, Wapole was group general manager for the Sector's European operations headquartered in London, England.
"This change provides us the opportunity to add Frank's considerable two-way radio experience to the PBX and data management expertise Jack has brought to ARDIS," said Topfer. "Together the combination strengthens our product development capabilities, enhancing our ability to take full advantage of significant market growth opportunities. In addition, we recently realigned our communications businesses to emphasize wireless communications. We strongly believe this action will escalate our ability to participate in this very important market, and more specifically, through ARDIS."
Ellen M. Hancock, IBM vice president and general manager of Networking Systems, added, "ARDIS has been a pioneer in wireless communications and provided new opportunities for other wireless technologies to evolFrank T. Wapole, corporate vice president and general manager, Worldwide Business Development for Motorola's Land Mobile Products Sector, has been appointed president and chief executive officer of ARDIS.ve. We are confident ARDIS will continue to present unique opportunities for growth and enviable levels of service for its customers."
ARDIS provides two-way radio data communications services in 8,000 metropolitan areas in the continental United States. Through the service, individuals can access computer databases and information systems through mobile two-way radio terminals.
ARDIS is a trademark of ARDIS Co.
CONTACT:
Motorola, Lincolnshire
Pat Schod, 708/576-6612
or
IBM
Paul Neuman, 914/697-6537