Search past winners/finalists


  • MESA logo

Jeff Coursen

Company: ATX Communications, King of Prussia, PA
Company Description: ATX Communications makes it easy for SMBs to implement technologies that solve complex business issues. Integrating traditional and next-gen voice and data communications, network security, and other mission-critical technologies, ATX serves approximately 18,000 commercial customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Founded in 1985, ATX has 500 employees and is headquartered in King of Prussia, PA.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Turnaround Executive

Nomination Title: Jeff Coursen, ATX Communications

   1. Tell the story about what this nominee achieved in the past year (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Jeff Coursen’s vision and dedication have made him the driving force behind ATX Communications’ re-emergence as one of the nation’s most profitable and quality-driven telecommunications companies.  His exceptional strategic and analytical talents have inspired unparalleled discipline and strong results, through periods of explosive growth – and amid significant challenges.

After 15 years as a thriving private concern, ATX was acquired by CoreComm Ltd. in 2000, becoming the centerpiece of CoreComm’s nationwide expansion strategy.  Within a year, overextended and hampered by the industry downturn and collapse of the capital markets, CoreComm asked a handful of ATX’s senior executives to lead the Company’s efforts to restructure its balance sheet and achieve profitable operations.

Mr. Coursen rapidly ascended to ATX’s helm, restoring solid fundamentals and operational health, growing profitable revenue segments, and helping guide the enterprise through a complex corporate reorganization.  He attacked every opportunity to improve the Company’s operations, financial structure and performance, and market position, producing significant outcomes. 

Highlights of ATX’s turnaround completed in 2005 under Mr. Coursen’s direction include:• $750 million in secured and unsecured debt eliminated;• $76 million improvement in cost of goods sold (COGS); • $70 million improvement in selling, general and administrative costs (SG&A);• $77 million reduction in capital expenditures (CapEx);• $140 million in vendor obligations eliminated; • $140 million improvement in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA); and • Roughly 500 jobs saved.(NOTE: Figures are approximate and/or annualized.)

These dramatic financial improvements have contributed to ATX’s profitability – among the industry’s best.  In addition, Mr. Coursen engineered ATX’s major operational overhaul using a balanced scorecard approach to ensure alignment of every functional area with corporate objectives.  ATX contracted leading employee survey firm Gelfond Group to gauge perspectives after the large-scale change.  At the same time, rigorous third-party customer satisfaction surveys validated ATX’s service orientation and uncovered opportunities for clear, measurable actions.  Together, these initiatives have produced the company’s best customer satisfaction and employee effectiveness metrics in its 21-year history. 

A passionate and proven leader, Mr. Coursen is actively committed to ATX’s mission of reclaiming its reputation as one of the country’s top providers of technology and telecommunications solutions.  As Executive Vice President and COO, he is responsible for all day-to-day operations of ATX’s business, representing approximately $162 million in annual revenues, 18,000 commercial customers, and 500 employees.  His open, intellectual management style influences virtually every functional area of the organization, including strategic planning and execution, customer operations, sales and marketing, product development and management, technical operations, human resources, and finance.  His commitment and expertise are highly regarded, and in 2005, he was honored by Drexel University's LeBow College of Business with the Outstanding Alumni award for Service to Profession.  He continues to challenge his teams to focus on precise execution in order to ensure profitable growth and enduring relationships.

Jeff Coursen is a respected colleague throughout the extended Mid-Atlantic business community.  He is a diligent leader with integrity, poise, humility, and competitive drive, and his many accomplishments truly reflect his values.

   2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

ATX Completes Financial Reorganization, Exits Chapter 11
http://www.atx.com/news_article.php?id=16

ATX Dials Effort to Recapture Past Glory (Philadelphia Business Journal)
http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2005/05/09/story8.html

ATX Leader Honored for Achievements by Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business
http://www.atx.com/news_article.php?id=53

ATX to Receive Distinguished “Enterpriser Award” Honors
http://www.atx.com/news_article.php?id=30

2005 Enterprise Award Winners in Technology and Life Sciences (Technology Times)
http://www.techcouncil.org/EA_web.pdf

Get the 411 on ATX Communications (New Jersey Tech News)
http://146.145.199.138/newsfiles/NJTC_ATX_1105.pdf

ATX Delivers Business-Class VoIP Service
http://www.atx.com/news_article.php?id=28

ATX Surpasses 1,000 Customers for Managed Network Security Services
http://www.atx.com/news_article.php?id=41

Seeking a Complete Network Management Solution (Technology Times)
http://www.techcouncil.org/TT_APR06.pdf

   3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the nominee:

Respected telecommunications veteran Jeff Coursen joined the ATX team in 1993.  As Executive Vice President and COO, his responsibilities extend throughout ATX’s functional business areas.  Mr. Coursen is active in several professional and civic associations including the Eastern Technology Council Board of Directors, New Jersey Technology Council Board of Directors and Legislative Board, International Financial Management Association – National Honor Society, the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge, and the Krall Center Board of Directors.  He holds an Executive M.B.A. from Drexel University and a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University, and is a graduate of The Georgetown University Business School Professional Development Program.