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Industry Moves: Sprint Nextel Says Activist Ralph Whitworth Off Board; Sven-Christer Nilsson On

Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel said today that Ralph Whitworth has resigned from the company’s board and that it has appointed Sven-Christer Nilsson, according to a document filed with the SEC. Although Whitworth only joined the board in February, his contributions will likely be missed. In the last year, Sprint’s board has seen a lot of turmoil, with analysts concerned that the members wouldn’t be able to help turn the company around, but Whitworth, was considered an activist investor an instrumental member. Whitworth said he’s resigning to turn his attention to other business matters: “Now is the appropriate time for me to step down from the Sprint board. I have the utmost respect for Jim Hance [the chairman of the board] and Dan Hesse [Sprint CEO], as they are both strong leaders. The company is taking the necessary steps to improve performance, and while I expect it will take time, Sprint is on the right track to turn around the business.”

Sven-Christer Nilsson will join the board, effective Nov. 10, and will be up for re-election during the the 2009 annual meeting. It is still undecided what committees he will serve on. Currently, Nilsson works with small companies as an advisor and board member, but previously he held various positions with The Ericsson (NSDQ: ERIC) Group, spanning from 1982 to 1999, including president and CEO from 1998 to 1999. Release.

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Oct 24, 2008 4:43 PM ET
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Posted In: Industry Moves, Companies, Sprint Nextel, ralph whitworth, sven-christer nilsson

  • I am one of the most well-known wireless leaders in Northern California providing wireless solutions for corporate accounts.  The difference between my company and everyone else is my exceptional vision and leadership especially on the B2B side.  Without sacrificing quality, integrity, and customer service, my abilities have gained me the knowledge and expertise to win numerous awards including top seller award for Northern California from a variety of wireless carriers.  Having said that, I was approached by Nextel in 2002 to become one of their B2B Authorized Representatives as a result of my success from previous years.  With my exceeding success through the B2B channel, Nextel approached me to do a joint venture on launching new retail locations in the Northern California market since there was no strong retail presence.  With knowledge, experience, and expertise I put together one of the most dynamic teams of highly motivated and well qualified communication consultants.  In 2003, my ex-colleague and dear friend was invited to join in this new vision.  I launched eight locations in Northern California and I was invited to launch new locations in Arizona, Colorado, and Minnesota. In 2005, when the merger with Sprint occurred, the new management team: Mark Sadighian, Paul Harris, and Dennis McSweeney no longer shared the vision that Nextel had with my company. At the same time I found out that my partner was embezzling money and started a new wireless company with another carrier.  When I approached Mark Sadighian with my new found news, the advise that I received was to separate our partnership and for me to start a new company under a new name.  I was granted an exclusive dealer contract with Sprint/Nextel and their service center.  Two months into my new company, I submitted six new retail locations that were denied to me for expansion, but at the same time were handed to someone else.  Sprint/Nextel set me up for failure, after I invested hundred of thousands of dollars into the new company.  Sprint/Nextel decided at that point not to support me in my visions, ideas, and ventures.  As a result, I am seeking other dealers that have had a similar experience as me for a class action lawsuit.  Before I posted my story online, I requested the immediate assistance from the CEO of Sprint, Daniel Hesse. He never responded to any of my emails, and at this point left me with no choice, but to put together a class action lawsuit for Authorized Dealers.  I will not stop until my losses are compensated. If you are interested in contacting me with any questions, concerns, or to assist me in participating in this class action lawsuit please email me at: sprintactionlawsuit@gmail.com   or visit www.nextel.bz

  • sprintactionlawsuit@gmail.com
    I am not surprised at Sprint's lack of customer service. The never cease to amaze me on how completely arrogant they are. I had an issue with them about a year ago that resulted in a long-standing disagreement with them that they continually put their head in the sand over.
    When the new CEO came in recently, I sent him an email, just to give him a real-life example of how his firm turns away customers. Of course, I never heard back from him. In my opion, Sprint is a very poorly managed company
    I am writing this letter to you in regards to a concern I have in question.
    As a former Sprint-Nextel authorized dealer I am requesting a possible severance
    pay. The reason I feel that I should be given some sort of compensation for the
    following reason: In November 2007 I was hit with a letter from my Sprint-Nextel
    accounts representative stating I was no longer going to have the opportunity of
    representing Sprint-Nextel as an authorized dealer. I feel that this could have been
    because of a conflict of interest between myself and Mark Sedighan, my former
    accounts representative. I also had submitted request to expand my locations and was
    denied multiple locations. I have invested thousands of dollars and gained thousands
    of clients and accounts and for my right to represent Sprint-Nextel to be taken away I
    feel is wrong. I now am going to have to file a bankruptcy due to the fact that this
    even has taken place. I had to terminated my lease for the location early and I am now
    getting sued for thousands of dollars that I no longer have due to the fact that I have had
    my dealer rights taken. As I have mentioned above, I feel as I was terminated because
    Mark Sedighan being my accounts representative and there being a conflict of interest
    in that situation. I have helped Sprint-Nextel gain many accounts and had met far over the
    expectations that are required as a dealer. I now feel as it is time for Sprint-Nextel to take
    time and recognize all the hard work, and investment I have put in and come up with a
    solution that will compensate me with some type of a severance pay. I ask that you please
    take my request into full consideration and take time to help come up with a solution that will benefit.
    I thank you for taking the time to go over this letter and I look forward to getting a response and speaking with you.

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