Contact: Yuichi Yokoyama Vice President of Administration and Human Resources Total Call International 310‐818‐4300
Total Call Founder and CEO Retires
Gardena, California (MMD Newswire) January 31, 2012 -- Total Call International today announced that Mark Leafstedt, the founder and CEO, has elected to retire. He will continue on as a member of the board of directors.
Leafstedt founded Total Call International, and it began operations in 1999. The company moved from a start‐up to a major carrier providing services to the calling card industry in a relatively short period of time. In 2006, Total Call International entered the MVNO market, creating Total Call Mobile which has become a significant player in the prepaid wireless segment of the industry.
In March of 2010, the owners of Total Call International and Total Call Mobile elected to sell the companies to KDDI America, an affiliate of the KDDI Corporation.
In announcing his retirement, Leafstedt said, "I have had a very rewarding period in my life these past 12 + years in seeing a company go from start‐up to a major player in the industry. This in no way could have been accomplished without the support from the loyal employees, distributors, and vendors that I have had the privilege of working with this past decade. My best to all of you."
Leafstedt also noted the strong support provided by the employees of KDDI America in effecting the transaction and ongoing growth of the company. "Many thanks to the folks at KDDI America and my best of luck to you going forward," noted Leafstedt.
Masaaki Nakanishi, the President and CEO of the parent company, KDDI America, is taking over as CEO of Total Call International and Total Call Mobile.
Nakanishi said, "Thanks to the effort and dedication of Mark, Total Call International and Total Call Mobile have solid business assets. Effective distribution channels, good vendor relationships, and dedicated employees are some examples. I am excited to be in a position to lead these companies into the next stage of growth based on the foundation that Mark has built over the past 12 years."
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