Read Jim’s great insight into how network evolution is driven by the human network. In Jim’s opinion, a straight-forward approach to leading is what it takes. He starts with passion, adds a positive attitude, and never stops believing that his team can achieve things some see as impossible.

Q&A

Explain what you do for a living in 20 words or fewer.
I manage the Wireline Construction & Engineering Organization for AT&T’s Midwest Region.

What is the favorite part of your job?
Experiencing the joy of achievement.

When do you feel the most frustrated professionally?
When things don’t come together as quickly as planned.

Fiber or Copper for the future?
We can look for ways to utilize both, similar to what we’re doing for our AT&T U-verse services today.

What is the quality you like most in a colleague?
Honesty and integrity: the most fundamental and basic characteristics, the foundation.

What treat do you keep hidden in your office/desk/truck that helps you through an OSP day?
Pictures of our family vacations.

Where would you vacation if money were no object?
I would visit every National Park… and then do it all over again!

What is the trait you deplore most in yourself?
Impatience.

What is the trait you deplore most in others?
Lack of teamwork.

If you had only ONE OSP tool, what would it be?
Passion -- it solves most of the problems.

What is the quality you admire most in a colleague?
Positive attitude.

Tell us the most extraordinary/unusual experience you’ve had out in the field.
When we began requiring our technicians to wear booties (shoe covers) when working inside a customer’s home. The positive reaction from our customers to this simple gesture of respect was simply amazing and contagious.

If you could change one thing about the OSP, what would it be?
Improvements in government policy decisions would allow quicker deployment of telecom infrastructure and the upgrades required that make a positive difference with businesses and consumers.

Where and why do you read OSP magazine?
I read OSP at home away from phones/email/etc… an excellent source to stay current with the latest ideas, developments, and contacts.

When do you feel the most satisfied professionally?
Accomplishing what was thought to be impossible.

What’s your favorite quote?
“The time is always right to do what is right.” -- Martin Luther King Jr.

Tell us the funniest customer experience you’ve experienced, or seen, in the field.
A customer called and asked us to help her move her piano -- an unusual request. When I visited, I discovered that our technician had drilled the inside wire from the other side of wall through one of the piano legs and she needed us to remove the wire in order for her to move it. She was a good sport about it and it provided a coachable moment for us.

Tell us how you got into telecommunications. By chance or plan?
AT&T was recruiting at the college campus… everyone flocked to the IBM/Texas Instruments/GM/etc. booths with long lines and basically ignored “the telephone company”. I listened and learned more about the opportunities at AT&T and never looked back.

If you could have your perfect job in telecom, what would it be?
The one I’m currently in is usually the best, and there hasn’t been a bad one in the past 28 years.

What topic in telecom do you wish you could learn more about?
Wireless -- everything about it is hot right now -- a truly fascinating technology that meets the insatiable demand.

 Jim Gerber began his career with AT&T in 1983. He has held a variety of Network assignments including working on the early launches of Personal Communication Services (PCS) and telco video services. He resides in the Chicago area with his wife Tara and daughter Emily. For more information, email Jim at jg2176@att.com.