Southern Indiana Business Report
ELLETTSVILLE – Long-time telecommunications industry leader Cullen McCarty was formally named CEO of Smithville Telecom, LLC, a sister company to Smithville Communications, Indiana’s largest privately held telecommunications firm, this month.
Fourth-generation Smithville owner Darby A. McCarty will continue to serve as board chairman for Smithville Telecom and Smithville Communications. Darby McCarty will also continue to serve as CEO of Smithville Communications while Cullen McCarty retains his active position as executive vice president of Smithville Communications.
The appointment of Cullen McCarty as Smithville Telecom CEO marks the first phase of a planned succession, designed by both McCartys in 2021. The two senior executives, a mother-and-son team, prepared and established the plan to ensure a seamless leadership transition, maintain business continuity, and set clear long-range strategic aims for the 102-year-old firm.
“Cullen holds a strong record of developing and executing growth strategies while focusing on superior customer value,” said Darby McCarty. She continued, “As my business partner and 28-year employee of Smithville, he has co-authored the playbook that directs our investments in highly competitive markets. I am confident that Cullen’s proven leadership and significant fiber and customer-centric experience will guide our go-to-market transformation and fulfill Smithville’s enduring mission to connect communities and enrich lives.”
Smithville Telecom provides strategic commercial and residential services in Indiana outside of the traditional parent company’s service areas. Cullen McCarty will provide company-wide leadership and oversee the short- and long-term commercial and wholesale growth strategy in his newly appointed role. He will continue representing Smithville in federal and regional trade organizations, including delivering Congressional policy guidance affecting rural areas of the United States.
“I can’t imagine a more impactful time to lead Smithville Telecom LLC into the next era of fiber connectivity,” he said. “Under my mother’s leadership, Smithville was the first company in Indiana to light up existing fiber service to symmetrical gigabit level.
“With Indiana’s focus on enabling enterprises in advanced manufacturing, agriculture bioscience, defense, life sciences, and more, there has never been a better time for Smithville to home in on our commercial and wholesale horizon and help drive the economic engine of our Hoosier state. I look forward to leading Smithville Telecom LLC and continuing our customer-first legacy – the Smithville Way.”
Paul Quick, a seasoned national broadband leader, has been instrumental in the recent growth and success of Smithville Telecom LLC and Smithville Communications. Quick has served as president of both organizations since November 2018 and will continue to oversee all facets of Smithville’s residential and commercial operations.
McCarty graduated from Indiana University Bloomington. He and his wife, Rachel, reside in Monroe County, and are the parents of two school-aged children.