People

One former and one current FCC employee are recipients of the Marconi Memorial Gold Medal of Achievement from the Veteran Wireless Operators Association, Fords, NJ. Robert McNamara, former chief of the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Private Wireless Division, is one of the recipients. McNamara is director of regulatory technology and compliance for Nextel C ommunications, McLean, VA. Alexander Zimny, director of the FCC Compliance and Information Bureau’s New York office, is the other recipient.

Paul Parshley, vice president of Wayne Kerr, Woburn, MA, advances to worldwide managing director.

Mark Cockson, marketing and strategic business development manager at Centurion International, Lincoln, NE, advances to director of strategic business and market development.

David Distler departs Trilithic, Indianapolis, to join Bird Electronic, Franklin, IN, as midwestern sales manager.

Changes at Geotek Communications, Montvale, NJ, and its subsidiaries, Geotek USA (domestic operations), Geotek Technologies (manufacturing), Geotek International Networks (foreign operations) and a newly formed, yet-unnamed mobile data business unit: Jonathan C. Crane, president of Geotek Communications, steps down as an officer and board member, becoming a consultant to the company. Yaron Eitan, chairman, takes on Crane’s former responsibilities. Robert A. Kerstein, Pocket Communications’ former chief financial officer, takes the same position with Geotek Communications. He replaces Michael Carus who held the position temporarily, and who resumes his role as vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer.

William A. Opet, senior vice president of the parent company, becomes president of the mobile data business unit.

Zvi Peled, once the president of Bogen Communications International, becomes president of Geotek Technologies.

Jon N. Peterson, C.P.A., departs Shared Technologies-Fairchild, Chantilly, VA, as vice president of finance to join Comsat RSI Plexsys Wireless Systems, Washington, DC, as vice president.

Thomas J. Langan, director of planning and profitability at Ram Mobile Data, Woodbridge, NJ, is promoted to vice president, wireless devices and systems.

Steve Aldinger, vice president of Celwave, Marlboro, NJ, is named to the Radio Club of America board of directors. Aldinger fills the remaining term of Archibald C. Doty Jr., who resigned.

Brenda Maxfield, manager of media relations for the Personal Communications Industry Association, moves up to director of communications.