Board of Directors
Royce J. Holland (Executive Chairman)
Jim Allen
Duncan Butler
Don Detampel
Gail Schoettler
G. Jackson Tankersley, Jr.
As Executive Chairman of MASERGY, Royce J. Holland is responsible for strategic and operational direction and oversight of the company. A MASERGY board member since January 2004, Royce has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the telecommunications industry. Most recently, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and board member of McLeodUSA, one of the largest CLECs in America. Previously, Royce was co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Dallas-based Allegiance Telecom, Inc., a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC), from 1997 until its 2004 acquisition by XO Communications, Inc. Prior to that, he served as President and co-founder of MFS Communications Company, Inc., one of the first competitive local carriers with operations in 52 metropolitan areas in North America, Europe and Asia. A former chairman of ALTS, the trade industry association for facilities-based CLECs, Royce was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee and by Governor George W. Bush to the Texas E-Government Task Force.
Jim Allen, who currently serves on the boards of directors for GameRail and CompleTel, is well-known for his ability to establish and grow billion dollar enterprises in the communications industry. He most recently served as vice chairman and CEO of Brooks Fiber Properties, Inc., which was acquired by MCI WorldCom in 1998 for $3.4 billion. Previously, Jim co-founded Cencom Cable Associates, Inc., a billion-dollar enterprise purchased by Hallmark Industries. He also was a founding director and investor in Verio, Inc., a publicly traded Internet service provider and Web hosting company.
Duncan Butler is the managing director of Centennial's Austin office. Prior to Centennial, he worked at Prime New Ventures, an Austin-based venture firm which he co-founded in 1994 to manage venture funds focused on telecommunications and related areas.
Don Detampel brings almost 30 years experience in networking and telecommunications, during which time he guided technically sophisticated young companies through their growth stages into stable, successful and mature companies. Don serves on the boards of directors of InFlow, Raindance and Voyant Technologies. Most recently, he served as chairman and CEO of OneSecure, Inc., a network security products company that was acquired by NetScreen in 2002. Don has also served as president for GlobalCenter, Enhanced Services Group, ConferTech International, Link USA and Schneider Communications.
Gail Schoettler brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in healthcare, government, journalism and telecommunications. Currently, Schoettler is a columnist for the Denver Post, and she serves on boards for several healthcare, security and telecommunications companies. Previously, Schoettler has spent time working for the U.S. government, serving as lieutenant governor of Colorado, an ambassador at the World Radio-communication Conference and as the head of presidential transition for the Department of Defense, Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence.
Jack Tankersley, Jr., is one of the most experienced private equity investors currently active in the communications industry. He co-founded Meritage in 1998 to invest exclusively in communications. He began his career at the Continental Illinois Bank in 1974 and joined its venture capital subsidiary in 1978. Jack co-founded The Centennial Funds in 1981 and served as either the chief executive or chief investment officer of Centennial until 1997. Much of his previous investment activity with Centennial was concentrated in the communications industry. Jack also serves on the boards of directors of Exabyte Corporation and NuVox Communications (all Meritage portfolio companies).