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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): November 23, 1998
e.spire Communications, Inc.
(formerly known as American Communications Services, Inc.)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
State of Delaware 0-25314 52-1947746
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) File No.) Identification No.)
133 National Business Parkway, Suite 200
Annapolis Junction, Maryland 20701
(Address of Principal Executive (Zip Code)
Offices)
(301) 361-4200
(Registrant's telephone number,
including area code)
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Item 5. Other Events.
On November 23, 1998, e.spire Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESPI) issued a press
release announcing that Anthony J. Pompliano, founder and current Chairman of
the Board, will reassume his prior role as Chief Executive Officer on a full
time basis. This action comes as a result of the resignation of Jack E. Reich as
President, CEO and Director.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit Number Reference
(99) Additional Exhibits
Press Release dated November 23, 1998 . . . . . Exhibit 99.1
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
e.spire Communications, Inc.
By:
Date: November 23, 1998 /s/ Riley M. Murphy
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Riley M. Murphy, Executive Vice President
Legal and Regulatory Affairs and Secretary
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Exhibit 99.1
ANTHONY J. POMPLIANO APPOINTED CEO of e.spire
ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD, NOVEMBER 23,1998 -- e.spire Communications, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ESPI) today announced that Anthony J. Pompliano, founder and current
Chairman of the Board, will reassume his prior role as Chief Executive Officer
on a full time basis. This action comes as a result of the resignation of Jack
E. Reich as President, CEO and Director.
Mr. Pompliano was previously co-founder and President of Metropolitan Fiber
Systems, the predecessor of MFS Communications where he served as President, CEO
and Vice Chairman from April 1988 until March 1991. After founding e.spire in
1993, Pompliano led the company's entry into the emerging data arena through the
deployment of a national ATM network in 1996, and the acquisition of an Internet
subsidiary in early 1997.
Pompliano's return to day-to-day responsibilities with e.spire is expected
to reinforce the company's commitment to becoming a data market leader, and
to assure its focus as a facilities-based provider of voice services. In
addition, Pompliano has outlined plans to initiate a full review of the
existing operating and overhead cost structure of the company.
"We're a premier company, at the perfect time, in an outstanding industry," said
Pompliano. "I look forward to working with management to sharpen our focus on
meeting targeted levels of top and bottom line performance."
e.spire is a new breed of telecommunications provider: an Application Gateway
Company (AGC), offering customers next generation services that include voice,
high-speed data and Internet solutions and custom business applications. A
facilities-based provider, the Company operates multimegabit local, regional and
long haul broadband networks throughout the United States.
