VIENNA, VA - March 15, 2006 - SunRocket, one of the nation's fastest-growing Internet phone service providers, announced today that Lisa Hook has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Lisa Hook is an outstanding choice to lead SunRocket's emergence as a household brand in Internet communications. We are very excited to welcome her as President and Chief Executive Officer," said Paul Erickson, SunRocket Chairman and co-founder. "Lisa has unique experience in launching and scaling consumer services in the broadband arena and shares our passion for delivering enhanced services to consumers at an incredible value."
"SunRocket is in an extraordinary position to deliver unique communications solutions to consumers," said Hook. "Voice-over-IP technology is now ready for mass market adoption, and SunRocket's laser focus on consumer value and simplicity will allow it to emerge as the nation's premier choice of Internet phone service, bringing value-added services quickly to market in an exciting way."
A widely respected telecommunications and media veteran, Hook most recently was President of AOL Broadband, Premium and Developer Services, where she grew the AOL Broadband service from 300,000 subscribers to over five million subscribers in less than two years. She also created AOL's Premium Services business in early 2003, which grew to over two million subscribers by year-end 2004. Earlier, Hook launched AOL's wireless and voice services businesses.
Prior to joining AOL in 2000, Hook was a partner at Brera Capital Partners LLC, a private equity firm focused on media and telecommunications. She also served in a number of executive roles with Time Warner, Inc. including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Time Warner Telecom, Special Advisor to the Vice Chairman and Vice President of Time Warner, Inc., managing telecom-related transactions.
Earlier in her career, Hook served as the Legal Advisor to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and as Senior Attorney at Viacom International Inc., where she oversaw the legal department of Viacom's cable division. Hook started her career with the international law firm of Hogan & Hartson in Washington, D.C.
Hook serves on the boards of Covad Communications Inc. (AMEX: DVW), Reed Elsevier (NYSE:ENL), National Geographic Ventures, and K12, Inc.
"With SunRocket's growth accelerating and with new markets opening up, we are thrilled to have attracted Lisa to the team," said Janice Roberts, Managing Director of Mayfield Fund and a lead investor. "She clearly brings both the leadership skills and relevant industry experience needed to build the first world-class Internet communications company."
In just over a year since introducing nationwide service, SunRocket has emerged as the 2nd fastest growing independent provider of residential Internet phone service, now available to 75% of U.S. households. Offering the nation's only annual, all-inclusive Internet phone service for a flat price of $199 per year, SunRocket continues to gain traction in the marketplace as it rapidly closes in on the 100,000 customer mark.