8-K

 

FORM 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 24, 2010

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in their charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	001-14157 (Commission File Number)	36-2669023 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois (Address of principal executive offices)		60602 (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (312) 630-1900

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02                Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements for Certain Officers

On February 24, 2010, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) issued a press release announcing that John E. Rooney, President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS’ subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”), will retire in 2010. The effective date of retirement has not yet been determined and, as of this time, no agreement has been entered with Mr. Rooney relating to his retirement.  A nationally recognized executive recruiting firm is conducting a search for his replacement.  As the President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS’ principal business unit, Mr. Rooney is deemed to be an executive officer of TDS under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  A copy of TDS’ press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01                Financial Statements and Exhibits

                (d)           Exhibits:

                                In accordance with the provisions of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, any Exhibits filed or furnished herewith are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.

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SIGNATURES

                Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
(Registrant)
Date:	March 2, 2010
By:	/s/ Douglas D. Shuma
	Douglas D. Shuma Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller

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EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed or furnished herewith as noted below.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated February 24, 2010

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1 

Press Release dated February 24, 2010

 [See Attached]

Contact:	Jane W. McCahon, Vice President, Corporate Relations
	(312) 592-5379, jane.mccahon@teldta.com
	Julie D. Mathews, Manager, Investor Relations
	(312) 592-5341, julie.mathews@teldta.com

FOR RELEASE:  IMMEDIATE

U.S. CELLULAR PRESIDENT AND CEO JOHN E. ROONEY TO RETIRE IN 2010

CHICAGO – Feb. 24, 2010 – Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS, TDS.S] today announced that John (“Jack”) E. Rooney, president and CEO of U.S. Cellular [NYSE: USM], a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, will retire in 2010. Executive recruiting firm Spencer Stuart is currently conducting a search for Rooney’s replacement.

Jack Rooney, age 67, joined U.S. Cellular as president and CEO in 2000. During his 10 years of leadership, the company has grown into the sixth-largest wireless provider in the U.S., with more than six million customers, and service revenues have more than doubled. Rooney unified U.S. Cellular’s associates around a common focus—the customer. The company’s unique culture, called the Dynamic Organization, is a significant competitive advantage, with U.S. Cellular’s 8,700 associates committed to providing the best in customer satisfaction.

“I am extremely proud of U.S. Cellular’s success, which is driven by the customer-centric culture that we have all built together over the last decade,” said Rooney. “I know that the company’s core values, which are shared by all associates, as well as the transformative initiatives we are currently implementing, will ensure that U.S. Cellular continues to thrive and grow. I have great faith in the company’s leaders and associates, and I am confident that they will guide U.S. Cellular forward, while maintaining the customer focus that makes our company unique.”

“Jack Rooney’s leadership has positioned U.S. Cellular to compete effectively in the ever-changing wireless marketplace,” said LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., chairman of the board of U.S. Cellular, and president and CEO of Telephone and Data Systems. “His relentless focus on providing a high-quality customer experience has driven the company to excel in customer satisfaction, as well as in network quality and associate satisfaction. Jack’s vision and values have made U.S. Cellular the company it is today, and the strong business foundation he helped to create will provide tremendous support to the company in the years to come.”

About TDS

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS), a Fortune 500® company, provides wireless, local and long-distance telephone, and broadband services to 7.3 million customers in 36 states through its business units, U.S. Cellular (wireless) and TDS Telecom (wireline). Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, TDS employed 12,300 people as of Sept. 30, 2009. For more information about TDS, visit www.teldta.com.

About U.S. Cellular

United States Cellular Corporation, the nation's sixth-largest wireless carrier, provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network to 6.1 million customers in 26 states. The Chicago-based company employed approximately 8,700 full-time equivalent associates as of Sept. 30, 2009. At the end of 2009, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned 82 percent of U.S. Cellular. Visit www.uscellular.com for comprehensive financial information, including earnings releases, quarterly and annual filings, shareholder information, and more.

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