Media

AT&T Illinois chief to step down

October 11, 2006

BY MARY WISNIEWSKI Business Reporter
Chicago Sun-Times

Just over a month after winning regulatory approval of a deal to raise phone prices in the Chicago area, Carrie Hightman left her job as president of AT&T-Illinois "to explore other opportunities," she said.

Hightman announced the decision on Tuesday, her 49th birthday. The quick-witted, detail-oriented lawyer, spent five years in the high-profile job. She frequently battled for the Texas-based phone giant before the Legislature and the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Hightman led the company through settlement of litigation related to its merger with Ameritech, AT&T's return to the long-distance market after a 20-year absence and a reform of the state's network lease rules. She was replaced Tuesday by Paul La Schiazza, who grew up in the Chicago area and has been in telecommunications for 27 years. He was most recently the Wisconsin AT&T president.

Both sides reported that the decision was amicable. Hightman said she just wants to do something different, and is exploring other options.

"I've been talking with them for a while about what I wanted to do," Hightman said. She said she wanted to finish the deregulation case before moving on.

Hightman will continue to represent AT&T on the boards of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Urban League through the end of 2007.

Jim Cicconi, AT&T senior executive vice president of external and legislative affairs, said La Schiazza is a "proven leader" who is "deeply committed to working with the state's leadership to create an environment that encourages innovation and investment in the state."

Douglas Dougherty, president of the Illinois Telecommunications Association, a 101-year-old telecom trade group said he was surprised and "a little disappointed" Hightman was leaving the industry.

"She's been such a strong spokeswoman for the industry, not only for her own company, but on a lot of public policy issues that impacted the whole industry," Dougherty said. "We'll miss her."

Hightman's severance package was not disclosed.

Laurel Bellows, an attorney who represented Hightman in connection with her decision, said Hightman is moving on "at the top of her game."

"She's very talented," Bellows said. "I think she wants to sit back a little bit and see what life holds."

Before coming to SBC, which became AT&T, Hightman represented utilities for the law firm of Schiff Hardin.

Asked if she was weary of her work at AT&T, Hightman joked that she's been tired for 21 years, since the birth of her first child. "In reality, I'm excited and I'm motivated and I'm invigorated," Hightman. said. "I want to see what my opportunities are."

mwisniewski@suntimes.com

Source: Chicago Sun-Times