John D "Jack" Goeken - Profile of a Pioneer

As one of America's leading entrepreneurs, the name Jack Goeken is synonymous with the telecommunications industry. Cited by Business Week Magazine as "the phone world's most prolific inventor," Goeken has built a global reputation for innovation - founding MCI, FTD Mercury Network, Airfone, In-Flight Phone and The Goeken Group Companies. His vision, business acumen, and bulldog determination provided the catalyst for each of these ventures to become leaders in their industry.

Like most pioneers, Jack Goeken's passion for communications technology and his entrepreneurial spirit can be traced to an early age. He began his own radio repair business while still in high school and gained additional experience in electronics as a specialist in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Following his military service, Goeken opened a business where he sold and repaired two-way radios.

After listening to his customers voice frustration over the lack of channel capacity and range, he envisioned the construction of a microwave system that would give truck drivers an enhanced ability to use their two-way radios while on the road. What better way to sell more radios than to increase demand through improved transmission range.

In 1963, Goeken launched Microwave Communications, Inc., better known as MCI, and began developing a microwave network. AT&T soon challenged this industry upstart, embroiling MCI in a marathon legal battle. When Goeken and MCI ultimately prevailed, it led to the breakup of the Bell monopoly and the opening of competition in the telecommunications industry.

Under Jack Goeken's leadership, MCI grew to be one of the world's leading telecommunications companies. He remained President of MCI until 1974, but was not about to rest on his laurels. In fact, his development of MCI into an industry leader was just the beginning in a continuing career of technical innovation and business success.

Goeken next founded the FTD Mercury Network, which, since its inception in 1974, has grown to be the world's largest on-line computer network. Today, more than 30 million floral orders are processed annually by FTD.

In the mid '70s, Goeken literally created the air-to-ground communications industry when he started Airfone, Inc. Today, it is almost impossible to fly a commercial airline without seeing his invention prominently displayed on the back of every passenger's seat. Airfone was sold to GTE in 1986, and Goeken continued to head the firm until 1989.

After leaving Airfone, Goeken began to focus on building a new network for air-to-ground communication, with the goal of eliminating the static and interference inherent with the existing analog technology. The result was In-Flight Phone Corporation with the world's first digital air-to-ground transmission technology.

In-Flight's clear telephone service and data transmission capability was followed by Goeken's pioneering development of live radio and television programs for commercial airlines.

In 1994, In-Flight was purchased by MCI and Goeken turned his attention to finding new applications for technology in support of services that can save lives. Today, he serves as the Chairman and CEO of the Goeken Group, the parent company for Global MED-NET, Global MED-NET International, Personal Guardian and PolyBrite International.

A 40-year career spent pioneering innovations in technology has earned Jack Goeken universal recognition as a leader in the communications industry. Past FCC Chairman Alfred C. Sikes referred to Goeken as "one of America's genuine communications pioneers." His significant contributions have been honored with numerous industry, academic and media awards throughout his career.

In 1987, Southern Illinois University elected him "Entrepreneur of the Year," and three years later The Radio Club of America honored him with the David Sarnoff Award "for establishment of air-to-ground nationwide telephone service." That same year, Goeken was granted an honorary doctorate degree from the University of New Hampshire and in 1991, Business Week Magazine declared him one of the year's top entrepreneurs.

It is perhaps fitting that as Jack Goeken continued his pioneering spirit into a new century, he was honored in 2000 by induction into the CRN Industry Hall of Fame-the capstone of a career by a man with more success stories yet to be written.