BAR MILLS – Pine Tree Networks announced that it has hired Brian Fejedelem as director of Network Operations and Data Networking. In this capacity, Fejedelem will direct both Data Networking department and CLEC operations managers.

His responsibilities include making strategic equipment and workforce decisions that support business and residential customers throughout the greater Portland, Lewiston/Auburn, Gray, New Gloucester, Buxton, Hollis and Waterboro areas.

Pine Tree Networks has also promoted Jim Contardo to Network data support manager from his former position as a network technician for their Integrated Telecomm Business Division based on Oak Street in Portland.

The Network Data Support department provides support for Pine Tree Networks internal networking needs, as well as technical support.

Fejedelem brought nearly 10 years of telecommunications experience to Pine Tree Networks. He was a former operations manager in Maine and New Hampshire for Conversent Communications, and switch manager for WorldCom in Portland.

Contardo came to Pine Tree Networks with over 25 years of data and telecommunications industry experience. Previously, he worked with PSINet and NorthPoint Communications as a senior-level field engineer. Contardo was also the regional operations manager at Digital Broadband Communications in the Connecticut and Massachusetts markets.

Pine Tree Networks offers integrated telecommunications and data solutions to businesses in greater Portland and Lewiston/Auburn. It also provides a range of telecommunications services to customers in Gray, New Gloucester, Buxton, Hollis, and Waterboro. Customer questions and comments are welcome during business hours at 929-9911, toll free at 1-866-PINE-TREE, or by e-mail at [email protected]. Pine Tree Networks tradition of service and innovation is also online at www.pinetreenetworks.com

Isaacson CMCC exec for a day

AUBURN- John Isaacson, chief executive officer for Lee Auto Malls, served as executive-in-residence at Central Maine Community College recently. He spent the day talking with students and faculty in the automotive technology, Ford ASSET and automotive parts and service program, as well as members of the administration.

One of the objectives of the executive-in-residence program is to increase business leaders’ understanding of the college. After a day on campus, Isaacson’s said, “I was really surprised by the number of programs, the size of your labs, the number of computers and the number of students.” The college offers 29 career and technical programs as well as transfer programs; there are nearly 1,900 students at the college this semester.

The students also learned a lot about the business world in general and the automotive industry in particular. Specifically, Isaacson counseled the students about negotiating their initial work agreement when they graduate. He explained that there are a number of ways workers are compensated and advised that students should consider their options carefully.