HTC picks former AT&T exec Mike Woodward as North American president

HTC has been fighting to get a better relationship with US carriers lately, and it may have just chosen a clever (if roundabout) approach: hire one of their executives. As of today, AT&T's former phone portfolio VP Mike Woodward is now HTC's president of its North American division, reporting directly to worldwide sales head Jason Mackenzie. The new position won't necessarily get him any privileged access, but it certainly gives HTC someone who's wellversed in what carriers want out of a device launch. We'll have to wait awhile to see what Woodward's strategy will be; suffice it to say that the company wants more One X-level anticipation and fewer of those bumpy, Inspire 4G-like releases.

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HTC Announces Mike Woodward as President of North America

Former AT&T Executive to Lead HTC in U.S. and Canada

BELLEVUE, Wash., July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announced that Mike Woodward has joined as the new president of North America, effective immediately. The role, which is responsible for HTC's sales, marketing and operations for the United States and Canada, reports to Jason Mackenzie, the president of global sales and marketing at HTC.

"With solid business acumen and expertise in product planning, marketing, sales and business development, Mike brings strong leadership and vision to our North America business," said Mackenzie. "I welcome Mike to HTC, one of the leading smartphone brands in the U.S. and Canada."

Woodward said, "I have been fortunate to witness first-hand HTC's leadership in mobile innovation, design and consumer experiences, and am proud to be joining a team known for putting consumers at the center of everything they do. During my career in the rapidly evolving mobile industry, I've participated in some of the most significant phone launches across the globe, and I'm glad to combine that experience with the talents and culture of HTC."

Before joining HTC, Woodward held a succession of positions with AT&T, formerly Cingular and AT&T Wireless, concluding with vice president, consumer wireless device and accessory portfolio. Woodward has also held positions at PacketVideo and Motorola and as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Navy. Woodward has a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Arizona, an MBA from Chapman University's George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics, and completed an executive strategic marketing management program at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Woodward is based in HTC's North American headquarters in Bellevue, Wash.