Vanguard Cellular Systems, Inc. was a mobile phone carrier with headquarters were in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was the largest independent non-wireline cellular carrier in the 1990s. It was acquired by AT&T in 1999.
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History
It was formed in 1984 by Steven R. Leeolou, Haynes Griffin, Rich Preyer Jr., and Chuck Hagel. At its peak, over 2,000 people were employed at Vanguard.
In 1999, Vanguard was acquired by AT&T.
Operations
Vanguard Cellular Systems operated cellular systems in Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida and owned interests in other systems throughout the United States and internationally. Vanguard initially deployed the analog Nortel AMPS technology, and later migrated to the TDMA-based Digital AMPS (D-AMPS) technology.
Founders
There were three founders of Vanguard: Haynes Griffin, Rich Preyer and Steve Leeolou.
Founder Steven R. Leeolou is now CEO at Conterra Ultra Broadband in Charlotte, NC which employs several former Vanguard employees. Haynes Griffin, founding CEO of Vanguard, has been active in several telecom businesses. He is the currently Chairman and CEO of SmartSky Networks which is deploying a nationwide air to ground wireless network to serve the aviation industry. He is also Chairman and CEO of Greensboro based Insect Shield, which makes insect repellent apparel. Rich Preyer, the third Founder, has been a very meaningful leader in area activities.
Founder Chuck Hagel served as Senator from Nebraska for two terms (1996-2008) and was the first United States Secretary of Defense during President Barack Obama's second term.