Luffman-Byers Telecom, Inc. was established in 1998 under a Closely Held Corporation and managed by President A.L. “Charlie” Luffman, and, Vice President Rick Byers. Both partners enjoyed successful careers with GTE serving in various roles throughout the organization. Upon retiring from Alltel in 1998 Charlie Luffman saw the need and growing trend to provide experienced, professional contract personnel and services for ILEC’s, as well as the ever-growing number of CLEC’s entering the communications marketplace. Rick Byers joined Charlie in 1999 after retiring from GTE and Luffman-Byers Telecom, Inc. was born.
The Team
A. L. “Charlie” Luffman
President
Following four years of service in the United States Army, Charlie Luffman began what would become a 27-year career with GTE in 1971. Throughout his career he held various management positions within the company including Central Office Maintenance Operations and Central Office Transport Design and Construction. Luffman supervised the maintenance of GTE’s first Electronic Switching Systems in North Georgia and started and managed the Switching Services Operations Center division in support of GTE’s Central Offices in the state of Georgia.
In 1993 Charlie joined Alltel (presently Windstream) serving as a Central Office Conversion Coordinator during Alltel’s modernization program. Upon the completion of Alltel’s digital conversions he was tapped as the Area Supervisor in the Dalton, GA district responsible for Digital Switch and Transport Operations and Maintenance. Always a student of the industry, Charlie has complemented his extensive telecom experience with various business computer programming courses at Dalton State College. After taking early retirement from Alltel in 1998, Charlie founded Luffman and Associates which would become Luffman-Byers Telecom, Inc. a year later when Ricky Byers joined the company. Charlie’s technical knowledge is a vital cog in the wheel that is Luffman-Byers Telecom and his daily attention to Key Customers plays a significant role in the company’s continued success.
Ricky R. Byers
Vice President
Ricky Byers began his telecom career in 1971 when he joined GTE’s Installation & Repair division. Over the course of his career Byers worked extensively in various management capacities overseeing many aspects of Network Engineering and Construction throughout the GTE system. Ricky was instrumental with regard to the considerable tasks involved with the installation of GTE’s first Electronic Switching Systems in North Georgia. Mr. Byers holds a BS in Business and an Associates Technical Degree.
After working for GTE in Alabama for several years Ricky retired in 1999. Soon after his tenure with GTE ended Ricky joined forces with Charlie Luffman in 1999 and Luffman-Byers Telecom was off and running. In addition to continually striving to identify top talent and assisting with oversight of various Engineering and Installation projects, Ricky enjoys working closely with several Key Customers that Luffman-Byers is honored to serve.