5 People I Want to Meet for Coffee in 2008

I got to thinking the other day about people in the wireless industry that I'd like to share a table with at Starbucks and just gab.

No time constraints. Just hot coffee and conversation without clock-watching.

It took me a while to develop my list, but I think I've got it narrowed down. And here they are, listed in no particular order:

1). Upkar Dhaliwal
I mean, c'mon, anybody that runs a company called Future Wireless Technologies is somebody I want to meet.

Upkar is an industry expert on WiMAX, UMTS, EGPRS and CDMA2000 Radio Specifications, RF System Designs and Verification and RF/System Integration (that's a mouthful). And, he's got over 10 years of Wireless Chipset development experience from 2G towards 5G.

He's spent time at Marconi, Qualcomm, Samsung, and STMicroelectronics, prior to doing his own thing at FWT.

Something makes me think this Upkar doesn't get much sleep, and I'd bet it's completely unrelated to caffeine.

2.) Scott Jenson
Seriously, this guy has got to be the envy of his peers: Mobile User Interface Manager @ Google.

If Scott shows up at CTIA, he wouldn't have enough business cards to fill the mouths of the hungry recruiters stalking his every move. Just check out his LinkedIn summary:

As a battle scarred veteran of the software industry, Scott has shipped a spreadsheet, been a part of 2 Mac OS releases, 5 Newton product cycles, 4 commercial web site revisions, designed 2 completely different mobile phones, run dozens of usability trials and focus groups, has 12 patents granted and 8 in application.

If this guy retired today, he'd have enough cool stories to tell his grandkids for years to come. But something makes me think retirement's not an option for Jenson. Awesome. Maybe he'll meet me for coffee.
3). Tim Courtney - VP, Sales & Strategy - LCC
Ok, I'm cheating with this one because I've actually met Tim. In fact, I've spent several years chasing Tim around the wireless industry trying to talk him in to a job. I've yet to succeed, but great recruiters are a lot like great sales folks - it's hard to shake 'em.

Tough to explain what makes this guy special, but it has something to do with his ability to communicate complex wireless issues in simple (ordinary) terms. In fact, he makes it look easy. Which is why I could sit down with this cat once a week at Starbucks and never tire of picking his brain.

That, and the fact the he's probably the most connected guy in the wireless industry. Seriously. Whoever coined the phrase "Six Degrees of Separation" is probably good buds with Tim. If not, they will be by the end of the week.

Tim - it's time for coffee, man. You can run but you cannot hide.

4.) Rudy Augsburger - President, Celta Consult
If there's anybody poised to rival Tim Courtney, it just might be Rudy. Holy smokes - his resume reads like a Who's Who from the telecom sector:

VP MultiMedia Sales for AT&T, BellSouth and Cingular, USA at Ericsson VP Wireline Sales at AT&T, BellSouth and SBC, USA at Ericsson
VP Sales BellSouth International, USA at Ericsson
VP Global Account Manager for BellSouth & SBC, USA at Siemens
General Manager: Siemens Telecomunicaciones SA, Uruguay at Siemens

Yep, I'm pretty sure conversation is easy with Rudy. Not sure I have the energy and mental capacity to keep up with him, but I'd bet a triple-shot espresso I'd be willing to try.
5). Charles Moore
Managing Partner, Principal Executive Recruiter, Abba Wireless Executive Search Group

There's a slight fudge-factor here as well, as I've actually talked with Charles on the phone several times, and have been a long-time fan. However, even though I've never met Charles Moore, he and I share two great loves: Recruiting and Wireless.

On those two factors alone, Charles rates high on my coffee-talk ratings list. So I think I'll just make the invite:

"Hey, Charles, let me buy you a cup of coffee, eh?"

I'll let you know what happens.
There you have it - my list of five people I want to meet for coffee in 2008. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

So...who's on your list?

Comment by Christie Bower on January 31, 2008 at 11:10am: I am number 6 right Dennis?

j/k

Thats a great list. I am not sure who my top 5 would be.

Cheers,

Christie