The critical competencies needed to achieve successful project outcomes. These include organization and planning, making decisions and taking action, communications and teamwork, project management methodology, risk management, and requirements management, among others.

Jerry Thames joined Global TeleSystems, Inc. (GTS) in February 1994 as president, CEO and a director of the company. He was recently named executive vice chairman of the board of directors. He previously held the position of president and CEO of British Telecom North America, where he was responsible for regional operations and worldwide management of BT's global managed data network and messaging services. He also served as president and CEO of Syncordia Corporation, BT's global enterprise network outsourcing subsidiary.

Thames began his telecommunications industry career with AT&T, where he spent 15 years and rose to become the general manager responsible for network operations in the northeastern region of the U.S. He also held executive management positions in telecommunications at Martin Marietta and at Telecom*USA.

Thames is currently also a Managing Director for Lehman Brothers managing an $800 Million venture capital fund specializing in telecommunications acquisitions.

Thames holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering and an MBA from Mississippi State University, as well as a Master's degree in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied as an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow.

Questions or comments about the material presented here can be directed to ies_help@cavs.msstate.edu.