Setting A New Ring Tone At Hawaiian Tel
Recruited because of his reputation as a corporate Mr. Fixit, Eric Yeaman has Hawaiian Telcom pointed in a new and profitable direction. Hang up the old notion of Hawaiian Telcom as a “phone company.” That’s as outdated as rotary dials and switchboard operators. Yet, admittedly, many of us still view this local institution as telephone cords, utility poles and information-please operators.
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operates the state’s emergency 911 and provides services to civil defense systems, Hawaii National Guard and TDD relay for the hearing impaired. It’s responsible for the majority of communications services to major hospitals and trauma centers in Hawaii.
Even if callers use another telecommunications provider, it is almost certain that their conversations, e-mails or data go through the Hawaiian Telcom network.
Learning that, one observer gasps, “Oh my God, what would happen if they go under?”
It doesn’t take a weather map to know that Yeaman walked into a perfect storm of heavy debt load and weak business conditions. Add to that competition from national wireless companies and the cable company, low margins on Internet access and the financial market meltdown.
Concerned local residents and industry observers are watching him and Hawaiian Telcom closely. How will this drama play out?
Is there equity in the 125-year tradition and history of this power player in our community?
And can the new local management team and centralized network system, now back on home ground, make a difference?
One survival scenario, according to an industry watcher, is that the state of Hawaii takes over, and Hawaiian Telcom becomes a ward of the Public Utilities Commission.
Another scenario is, by whatever means, the company emerges quickly from bankruptcy and moves into a new era of growth, drawing upon what Yeaman claims is a corporate family of “incredible talent” and “natural leaders.”
When he’s not directing the turnaround, Yeaman is a devoted family man who enjoys spending time with wife Melanie, daughter Lauren, 12, and son Jake, 9.
As for integrating the corporate culture with a bit of island flair, that comes naturally. The kid from Honaunau, whose work ethic comes from working on coffee and mac nut farms, has his feet on the ground with a “geev ‘um” attitude.
Plus, he’s got li hing mango stashed in his desk drawer, and for his afternoon break after our interview Yeaman goes downstairs to get shave ice.
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