Leonard, Street and Deinard today announced that Dr. G. George Wallin has joined the firm as director of telecommunications consulting, where he will provide business consulting services to clients in the telecommunications industry.

"We are delighted that George has chosen to join our firm," said Leonard, Street and Deinard President Lowell Stortz. "His experience in all facets of the telecommunications lifecycle is a strategic complement to the legal services already provided by Leonard, Street and Deinard."

Wallin, who has more than 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, will advise telecommunications-related companies on an array of business strategies, including operations, employee relations, succession planning, business development, and mergers and acquisitions.

Prior to joining the firm, Wallin served as vice president and chief operating officer of Sherburne Tele Systems (doing business as Connections Etc. and NorthStar Access), which was acquired by Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. in 2008. In this executive role, he provided strategic leadership to the organization's acquisition efforts; sales and exit strategies; and start-up and consolidation activities. He is a frequent speaker on issues and opportunities relating to mergers and acquisitions.

Wallin earned a Ph.D. in organization and management from Capella University in 2004, an M.B.A. in financial management from Brenau University in 1984, and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Metro State University in 1982. He is qualified as a civil mediator under Minnesota General Rules of Practice 114.12.

An industry leader, Wallin is a member of the Association of Conflict Resolution, Conflict Resolution of Minnesota and the Minnesota Telecom Alliance. He serves on the board of directors of the Initiatives Foundation and is a trustee of the Anoka Technical College Foundation. He also served as a member of the Big Lake Board of Education from 1998 to 2006.

In recognition of his professional and civic commitment and contributions, Wallin has been frequently honored by his colleagues and peers. He was honored as "Manager of the Year" by Contel, a holding company of varied telecommunications entities, and he also received a special citation by Contel for exemplary leadership managing in the face of adversity. He was honored with the "Safety Leadership Award" by the Minnesota Telecom Alliance, and received WCCO's "Good Neighbor" award and "Mentor of the Year" award for his volunteer efforts with the Big Lake Public School District. He was recently named "Mediator of the Year" by Anoka County Mediation Services.

"Leonard, Street and Deinard has a reputation as the region's premier firm serving clients in the telecommunications industry," said Wallin. "I was attracted to the firm's long history of delivering high caliber legal services, its deep and extensive knowledge of the telecommunications industry and the unique opportunity to join my business experience with the firm's legal experience to help clients achieve their business goals."