ST. MARTIN (June 16, 2002) – Lawyer, journalist, investment banker and telecommunications expert, Mr. Cornelius B. Prior Jr. current chairman of the board of directors of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (CANTO) is an executive with many talents and a suave sense of humor. He obtained his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1962 and furthered his studies at the University of Sao Paula Law School (1962-1963).
Prior joined Sullivan & Cromwel as associate attorney in general legal practice in 1963 and the following year, co-founded the Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation while simultaneously functioning as case note editor for the American Journal of International Law.
He launched a career in investment banking after working as secretary and legal counsel for a Tokyo-based investment firm from 1969 to 1971. He was an officer and stockholder at many prestigious organizations, among them, Drexel Burnham & Co and Peabody and Co.
Various institutions of higher learning, including Harvard, Fordham and UCLA law schools as well as many utility and business association meetings where he has been guest speaker, have sought his expertise and oratorial skills.
Prior was called as expert witness for utilities before 15 US State and Federal regulatory agencies as well as before legislative committees in Maine, Texas and Wisconsin.
He is a trustee of his alma mater, Holy Cross College and received the Brian G. Fuller Memorial Award of the Caribbean Telecommunications Council in 1995.
Mr. Prior has held various top executive positions, including since 1987 that of chairman and CEO of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. headquartered in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Co. He is a past president (and director, Eastern Region Telecom Association, ERTA) among other senior executive positions at other institutions.
Mr. Prior brings this wealth of knowledge and experience to the chairmanship of CANTO and his vision and wisdom are expected to guide the organization to further growth and maturity-and certainly during the Caribbean region’s premier telecommunications annual event for the past 18 years, the CANTO conference and trade exhibition, hosted in 2002 by the St. Maarten Telephone Company NV at the Maho resort conference center (6/16-19/02), Maho Beach, St. Martin.