Posted 2/7/01 Paavo Pyykkonen is new president of NorthStar Access NorthStar Access announces that Paavo A. Pyykkonen has been hired as President and General Manager. As President, Pyykkonen will oversee all operations of NorthStar Access. Paavo Pyykkonen was previously employed by Integra Telecom of Minnesota as Executive Vice-President, and at the same time served as General Manager of Scott Rice Telephone Company, an Integra subsidiary. He has a rich history in the Telecommunications and Information Technology in-dustries including over 25 years in roles such as manager, consultant, and entrepreneur. Other companies he has worked for include Onvoy (formerly MEANS Telcom); Nor-stan, Inc.; United States Air Force; St. Louis County, MN; a mission station in Liberia, West Africa; and GE Capital. Pyykkonen has an engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Tech-nology, and has done graduate study at the Sloan School of Management. Commenting on his new role, Pyykkonen said, ìI look forward to playing a role in NorthStar Access becoming the premier telecommunications service provider in the communities we serve. Much of my focus will be to expand and improve the services we offer, as well as expand into new geographic areas.î NorthStar Access is a new local telephone company serving the communities of Cambridge, Elk River, North Branch, and Princeton. NorthStar Access combines a unique offering of high-tech communication services, along with strong local presence in these communities, including hometown-based employees and local offices. NorthStar Access offers high-speed DSL Internet, 56K dial-up Internet, local telephone service, long distance and other data communication services. NorthStar Access is a joint venture of Sherburne Telesystems and Connexus Energy. ©Post Review