In this episode of Tower Side Chat™, Ryan Nelson interviews engineer and inventor of the first portable handheld cell phone, Martin Cooper.

During the interview, Martin speaks about his early years in Canada and his inquisitive approach to the world, which led him into engineering. We also talk about his tenure in the Navy, the invention of the cell phone, public safety, his current work, and his passion for education.

About Martin Cooper
Martin Cooper is a pioneer in the wireless industry. He's an inventor, entrepreneur, executive, and author. He believed the cell phone should be "an extension of its owner; that a telephone number represented that owner, not a place, not a desk, not a home, but a person."

Cooper conceived of the portable cellular phone and led the team at Motorola that created the first phone in 1973. He made the first public cell phone call on April 3, 1973. He contributed to the technology of the wireless communications industry for over 60 years and contributed to every significant advancement in wireless communications during this time. His teams introduced the first nationwide car phones and radio pagers, the first digitally trunked land mobile dispatch system, as well as the portable-optimized cellular phone system. He is known as the "Father of the Handheld Cellular Phone."

Learn more about Martin Cooper

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Episode Credits & Information
Host: Ryan Nelson
Guest: Martin Cooper

This episode is © 2023 Valmont Telecommunications, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Tower Side Chat™, Ryan Nelson interviews former FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein.

During the interview, Jonathan talks about his journey from politics into telecom, developing legislation, the history of the FCC, the new infrastructure bill, rural broadband, and more. We also chat about his love of music and his industry band, The Band Plan.

About Jonathan Adelstein
Jonathan was appointed by President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama to serve as the Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 2002-2009. He also served as the Administrator of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service from 2009-2012.

From 2012 to 2022, Jonathan served as the President and CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), which represents businesses that develop, build, own and operate wireless infrastructure in the United States.

Jonathan joined DigitalBridge in June 2022 as the Managing Director and Head of Global Policy.

Learn more about Jonathan Adelstein

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Episode Credits
Host: Ryan Nelson
Guest: Jonathan Adelstein

© 2022 Valmont Telecommunications, Inc. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Tower Side Chat™, Ryan Nelson interviews the President and CEO of NATE, Todd Schlekeway.

During the interview, Todd talks about his journey from the political world into wireless, the origins of NATE, workforce development, the new infrastructure bill, closing the digital divide, the use of drones in telecom, and more. We also chat about movie producing, growing up in South Dakota, and the lessons he learned through collegiate athletics that apply to his position today.

About Todd Schlekeway
As President & CEO of NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, Todd Schlekeway provides overall leadership and vision, working in concert with the Association’s staff, Board of Directors, volunteer Standing Committees, Wireless Industry Network, and over 1,115 member companies.

Prior to joining NATE, Todd worked for seven years as the founder and principal of a public affairs and communications firm called Full Court Strategies Group, LLC. Todd also has extensive policy experience, having served for two terms in South Dakota’s state legislature, where he represented a Sioux Falls, South Dakota legislative district in both the State House and the State Senate.

Todd received his undergraduate college degrees from the University of Sioux Falls (USF) with a B.A. in History/Political Science and a B.S. in Exercise Science. He also earned a Master’s degree in Education (M.Ed.) from USF. While at the University of Sioux Falls, Todd also participated in collegiate athletics as a member of the USF basketball team. 

Todd and his wife Jill reside in Sioux Falls, SD, with their three sons, Gavin, Grant, and Jett.

Learn more about NATE
Learn more about Vertical Freedom the Movie

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Episode Credits
Host: Ryan Nelson
Guest: Todd Schlekeway

© 2022 Valmont Telecommunications, Inc. All rights reserved.