Coming full circle Skrzypczak returns to Bellcore to head professional services >BY SANDRA GUY, News Editor

A telecommunications pioneer is returning to his roots. Casimir Skrzypczak, a key member of Bellcore's original management team, is leaving Nynex Science and Technology later this month to lead Bellcore's Professional Services organization during the company's transformation into an independent, commercial business. He will officially start March 1 as head of a telecom engineering and consulting business unit that takes in more than $300 million in yearly revenue.

Skrzypczak, known as "Cas" to colleagues, is happy to be back at a unique organization that has, in his view, the best ensemble of telecom technical talent in the world.

"It's been a leader in the major developments driving changes in the telecom industry," including asynchronous transfer mode switching and Sonet, he said. Skrzypczak served as Bellcore's vice president of network planning from 1983 to 1986 and was chairman of the Network Council, which developed technical interactions and procedures with the Bell regional holding companies.

He foresees more such accomplishments as Bellcore expands internationally and leverages its knowledge about end-to-end network systems to compete against new and nimble players. "The challenge will be to respond quickly to customers," he said. "The professional services business expects to compete with consultants such as Arthur Andersen, as well as equipment suppliers and developers.

Skrzypczak should feel at home in the new Bellcore environment because he is a great partner with the marketing community and understands how to tailor technological upgrades to customer needs, said a marketing co-worker.

"Cas is the exact opposite of a nerd," said Judy Haberkorn, vice president of consumer markets for Nynex. "He certainly shares the love of science and the love of discovery that many technical people have, but he is without a doubt one of the most congenial and collaborative colleagues I've ever had.

He shares his down-to-earth touch when he gives presentations, Haberkorn said, recalling how Skrzypczak used Pac Man graphics several years ago to demonstrate how a certain switch worked.

Bellcore's mission as research arm for the RHCs withered as deregulation emerged, and it was bought by Science Applications International Corp. in November (Telephony, Nov. 25, 1996, page 6). Skrzypczak, a Bellcore board member, was involved in the sale, which is expected to be complete by fall.

Skrzypczak's other resume highlights include chairman of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions, architect of a proposal that led to the T-1 standards body, former director of AT&T's fundamental network planning, and recognized expert on technology trends and network architectures, planning and evolution.

While president of Nynex Science and Technology, Skrzypczak's team developed network-based voice dialing capability, on-demand private-line capacity reconfiguration and trouble ticket analysis that advises a carrier whether and where to dispatch a repair person.

Although Skrzypczak has regrets about leaving the acclaimed RHC team, he noted that Nynex and its future partner, Bell Atlantic, will be Bellcore's largest customer.

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