Michael Hunsucker Email and Phone Number

Provide input and guidance on telecom contracts and issues based on extensive telecom and management experience.

Lead negotiations, settlements, and litigation of 3K+ interconnection agreements and advised on legislative/regulatory strategies. Oversaw customer relationships, 52-member team (five direct reports), and $16M budget. Piloted the wholesale litigation strategy, positioning, and messaging, and served as lead witness in two federal litigation proceedings resulting in favorable outcomes totaling $35M. Integral in federal court issuing an order aligned with Company position in a key policy/fee trial… Show more Lead negotiations, settlements, and litigation of 3K+ interconnection agreements and advised on legislative/regulatory strategies. Oversaw customer relationships, 52-member team (five direct reports), and $16M budget. Piloted the wholesale litigation strategy, positioning, and messaging, and served as lead witness in two federal litigation proceedings resulting in favorable outcomes totaling $35M. Integral in federal court issuing an order aligned with Company position in a key policy/fee trial between two former affiliates ; credible advocacy noted by judge in final order.Tapped to participate in M&A initiatives; provided due diligence and served as wholesale witness (eight states) in CenturyLink’s M&A efforts requiring governmental (DOJ, FCC, state commission) approval in states of operation. Integral in growing annual wholesale revenues of a key client $50M+ in two years. Piloted the wholesale Performance Assurance Penalty (PAP) strategy, advising on restructuring regulated programs and delivering regulatory/legislative testimony reducing customer penalty payments by nearly $2.5M (from $2.5M to $71K) over five years. Show less

Lead the external affairs (regulatory, legislative, public relations, media communications) for the Texas state operations. Following the spin-off of Embarq and 2006 reorganization, assumed concurrent oversight of Tennessee operations. Led efforts to advocate favorable legislative and regulatory policies and retain state subsidies to achieve strategic positioning of the products/services while minimizing financial risk. Protected $43M in at-risk Texas state funding targeted by… Show more Lead the external affairs (regulatory, legislative, public relations, media communications) for the Texas state operations. Following the spin-off of Embarq and 2006 reorganization, assumed concurrent oversight of Tennessee operations. Led efforts to advocate favorable legislative and regulatory policies and retain state subsidies to achieve strategic positioning of the products/services while minimizing financial risk. Protected $43M in at-risk Texas state funding targeted by competitors via legislative/regulatory changes. Recognized for results providing leadership to the Texas Public Utilities Commission in negotiating a settlement in a major USF proceeding in 2006, minimizing funds reduction ($300K) while securing retail pricing flexibility. Served on the Board of the Texas Telephone Association throughout tenure; recognized in 2006 with a key leadership award.Built relationships with key legislators/staff and gained status as a trusted advisor sought out for input/guidance on key industry matters, opening opportunities to present positions. Facilitated development of a strategy for managing regulatory/legislative policy changes following the Embarq spin-off from Sprint and presented strategy to senior leadership team at Embarq. Show less

Led strategic development of companywide regulatory/legislative policies and advocated positions before federal and state legislative bodies during a period of significant industry/internal change and Sprint’s transition from an ILEC to long-distance provider and nationwide wireless carrier. Oversaw four Policy Analysts. Integrated policies aligned with multiple diverse business units. Selected by the Texas State Executive to play an active role in providing advisement to the Texas legislature… Show more Led strategic development of companywide regulatory/legislative policies and advocated positions before federal and state legislative bodies during a period of significant industry/internal change and Sprint’s transition from an ILEC to long-distance provider and nationwide wireless carrier. Oversaw four Policy Analysts. Integrated policies aligned with multiple diverse business units. Selected by the Texas State Executive to play an active role in providing advisement to the Texas legislature in a full redrafting of all telecom regulations. Show less

Various management positions advancing from an entry-level analyst to Director level.