Westelcom President gets promotion to Watertown Chamber Chair

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 13, 2009

Paul Barton, Westelcom’s President, has been selected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce for 2009. Mr. Barton previously served as the Chamber’s 2nd Vice Chair for 2008. Within this capacity, Barton intends to emphasize the Chambers vision of expanding areas of support for local businesses and growing our economy in the North Country. Barton has been a key player the last few years in Westelcom's executive ranks. He joined the company in 2001 as general manager, and has been promoted to roles of increasing responsibility until his appointment as the company’s president.

In this capacity, Barton leads the company’s daily operations in addition to their strategic and network initiatives within the six county region of Northern New York.  

The foundation of Mr. Barton’s success started with the receipt of a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from University of West Florida and Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University, Boston, MA.  He began his professional career with the Air Force and served in the areas of communications, computers and intelligence for over ten years.  After departing with the rank of Captain in 1994, he had the opportunity to consult for the United States Department of Defense.  In 1996, he returned to the North Country and founded one of the regions first successful Internet providers,   Geographic Internet Services Company (GiSCO). 

An active member of our community, Mr. Barton is Chairman of the Clayton Youth Commission.  His wife Jacqueline and 4 children Benjamin, Jaime, Alexandria, and Lindsay, keep him occupied year around on local ice rinks and softball diamonds.