The new group, called LastMile USA, will be based in Raleigh.
LastMile Communications is based in Exeter, the United Kingdom, and develops both hardware and software for use in wireless location-based information services.
The Raleigh operation will be led by Skip Ballou, a former executive at IBM, He will serve as president of the Americas and Asia-Pacific for LastMile.
The U.S. operation will focus on strategic partnering and sales opportunities.
"LastMile USA gives us the point of presence to effectively engage all of our strategic partners, local government initiatives and business-to-business customers in North America," Ballou said in a statement. "We're looking forward to teaming with network operators, utilities, telecommunications companies and world-class content providers to help them serve the communities in which they operate and create new revenue channels by leveraging LastMile technology."
Ballou worked for IBM in a variety of positions between 1981-2000, including experience in the Asia-Pacific region.
His most recent position was executive vice president of business development and intellectual property at World Theater, Inc. in Raleigh. ] Also an inventor, over his career, he has field for 29 patents, according to LastMile.
"Our presence in the U.S. will complement the success we've had to date in Europe securing strategic partners and interest in our product offerings," said LastMile Communications chief executive officer and joint founder Antony Abell. "Our expansion into North America will play a key role in attaining our goal to be a global innovator in rich, useful content to consumers through business-to-business partnerships with our innovative and affordable technology."
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
