Leadership Team
The Leadership Team at Consolidated Communications includes dedicated and experienced individuals with outstanding leadership skills and experience.
- Richard A. Lumpkin, Chairman
- Bob Currey, President and CEO
- Steve Childers, Chief Financial Officer
- Bob Udell, Chief Operating Officer
- Steve Shirar, Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary
- Chris Young, Chief Information Officer
Richard A. Lumpkin
Chairman
Richard Lumpkin began his 47-year career in telecommunications with Illinois Consolidated Telephone Co. (ICTC), a pioneer Central Illinois telephone company founded in 1894 by his great-grandfather, Iverson A. Lumpkin, in Mattoon, Illinois.
He currently serves as Chairman of Consolidated Communications.
In 1984, he was named president of the newly formed holding company, Consolidated Communications Inc. then served as chairman and chief executive officer from 1990 until 1997. While under McLeodUSA ownership, Mr. Lumpkin served as Vice Chairman of McLeodUSA from 1997 until CCI's return to private ownership in 2002.
Long active in the telecommunications industry, he is a past director, past president and past treasurer of the U. S. Telecommunications Association, and is a past president of the Illinois Telecommunications Association. Mr. Lumpkin also served as chairman and director of Illuminet Holdings, Inc. and Independent Telecommunications Network and also held director positions for Teldata and the National Telecommunications Network.
He is a past chairman of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Systems, Inc., and a past director of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, Ameren Corp., First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc., the Illinois Business RoundTable and the College of Commerce at the University of Illinois. He also served on the University Council Committee on Information Technology for Yale University. Mr. Lumpkin has also served as trustee of Millikin University and Concord Academy.
Mr. Lumpkin received the Distinguished Service Award from the US Telecom Association, the Beta Gamma Sigma Medallion for Entrepreneurship, and in recognition for his lifetime commitment to East Central Illinois, he received a Doctorate in Public Service (Honorary) from Eastern Illinois University.
Mr. Lumpkin received his bachelor's degree from Yale University and MBA from Harvard University.
Bob Currey
President, CEO and Director
Bob Currey is a 40-year veteran of the telecommunications industry and currently serves as President and CEO of Consolidated Communications, Inc. and Director. Previously he served as Vice Chairman of RCN Corporation, Chief Executive Officer of 21st Century Telecom Group, and as Group President, Telecommunications Services and a Director of McLeodUSA. Currey served as President of Consolidated Communications from 1990 until 1997 and rejoined the company as President and CEO in 2002.
Mr. Currey served as Chairman of the Illinois Coalition, a non-profit organization of business, government, academic, and labor leaders that promotes technology-based economic development in Illinois. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce. Currey is currently a director of The Management Network Group, Inc., a professional services company, the US Telecom Association and the Illinois Business RoundTable.
Mr. Currey received his bachelor's degree from Michigan Technological University and a MBA from Eastern Michigan University.
Steve Childers
Chief Financial Officer
Steve Childers has a diversified background in accounting and a lengthy career with Consolidated Communications. He was named Chief Financial Officer in 2004, with responsibilities for all accounting, treasury, tax and regulatory functions at the company.
He joined the company in 1986 and was named CCI Director of Accounting in 1990. He also served as President of Consolidated Market Response during his tenure.
Mr. Childers served in a number of executive roles with McLeodUSA following the merger with CCI, most recently leading the company's Business Process Teams to implement revenue assurance processes and controls.
He served on the Board of Directors of the Eastern Illinois University Foundation. Childers currently serves on the Board of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Childers holds a B.S. in Business from Eastern Illinois University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Bob Udell
Chief Operating Officer
Bob Udell was named Chief Operating Officer in May 2011 after serving five years as senior vice president and president of Telephone Operations for Texas following Consolidated Communications’ purchase of TXU Communications in April 2004. He is responsible for the operation of Consolidated’s voice, video, internet and carrier business including sales, marketing, engineering, network operations and capital investment for the company.
Previously, he served in various roles at TXU Communications including executive vice president of Business Development, Regulatory and Administration and Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Udell has more than 20 years of telecommunications leadership experience including profit and loss management and operations at large- and mid-sized local exchange companies. He previously served in several leadership roles at Consolidated Communications and McLeodUSA, including senior vice president of network services and vice president and general manager of the company’s Indiana operations. He also held management roles at Bell Atlantic in operations, carrier sales and marketing.
Mr. Udell is a member of the United States Telecom Association Policy committee and formerly served as President of the Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance. He serves on the boards of the Greater Conroe Economic Development Council, the Montgomery County United Way, and The John Cooper School.
Mr. Udell is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He received his MBA from Katz Graduate School of Business, at the University of Pittsburgh, and completed the Advanced Technology Innovations Program at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
Steve Shirar
Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary
Steve Shirar was named Senior Vice President in 2002.
He has 23 years of business experience in a variety of industries including wireline telephony, software development, publishing and managed health care.
His work experience includes serving as President of the directory company's Ameritech Industrial Infosource and Chief Operating Officer of a startup managed health-care company MedAdvantage.
He joined Consolidated Communications in 1996 as President of a former CCI software development subsidiary. He also served in a number of executive roles with McLeodUSA.
Mr. Shirar holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology and an MBA in Marketing from Indiana University.
Chris Young
Chief Information Officer
Chris Young was named Chief Information Officer for Consolidated Communications in 2003.
During his career he has held similar positions with Siemens, Mercury Marine, 21st Century Telecom and Newsouth Communications. He held various roles with Consolidated Communications from 1985 until 1995, including Director of MIS for Consolidated Communications Directories.
Mr. Young is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in Computer Management and an MBA. He previously served on the board of the Central East Alcoholism and Drug Council.
