John P. Kelly was at the forefront of the expansion and consolidation in the communications tower business that began in the late 1990s. The demand for cellular service, the launch of PCS systems, and the increasing appetite for data and enhanced applications catapulted the wireless industry into the 21st century. The transition of the fragmented tower business into the broader infrastructure sector was essential to the timely and efficient deployment of wireless networks, and John was a key figure in that transition.
He began his career on the carrier side in 1983 with GTE Corporation’s cellular telephone subsidiary GTE Mobilnet, which initially held more licenses in the top 30 markets than any other carrier. He was responsible for building and launching the first cellular networks in San Francisco and San Jose. His success led to an assignment as VP/General Manager of GTE Mobilnet’s largest region covering California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. John left in 1990 for Atlantic Cellular Company, where he served as President and COO of the company, and several of its affiliates, deploying cellular systems in rural markets.
His experience in building and operating wireless systems in a wide range of markets with differing geographic characteristics and populations highlighted the infrastructure needs of the growing industry. When the opportunity arose in 1998, he moved to Crown Castle International (CCI). The company went public that same year. At Crown Castle, John held positions including President, CEO, and Executive Vice-Chairman. Under his leadership, the company expanded through growth and acquisitions from a portfolio of 609 towers in 1998 to over 24,000 by 2009 when his tenure ended. In 2007 Forbes magazine listed him third among the best performing CEOs over a six–year period, noting that revenue had jumped 74 percent to $1.4 billion during that time.
John also held a leadership role in guiding the trade association PCIA (now WIA) through a major transition in the early 2000’s from a carrier to an infrastructure emphasis, and served as chairman of PCIA in 2005. He serves as Managing Director of Berkshire Partners and also on boards and advisory roles for several companies including Asurion, and as non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors for FiberTower. John was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2015.