Robert Currey

Bob Currey was the executive chairman of Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc. He previously served as president from 1990 to 1997, CEO from 2004 through 2014, and chairman from 2015 to 2024. 

Prior to joining Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc., Currey served as vice chairman of RCN Corporation, president and CEO of 21st Century Telecom Group, director and group president of telecommunications services at McLeodUSA (which acquired Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc.’s predecessor in 1997), and director of Cartesian, Inc. Currey also served as chairman of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Illinois Coalition.

Currey graduated from Michigan Tech with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1967. Following graduation, he worked at General Motors in Flint, Michigan. After 18 months at GM, Currey decided to pursue his MBA on a graduate assistantship from Eastern Michigan University (EMU). Upon graduation from EMU, Bob began his telecommunications career with Michigan Bell where he worked for 14 years prior to joining Sprint. 

One of his career achievements was being hired as the first outside CEO to a 100-year-old family company. Through his work and that of others, the company was sold, bought back out of bankruptcy, did multiple acquisitions, and went public. Currey was blessed with many opportunities and climbed the corporate ladder quickly, making an impact on a multitude of companies through senior level positions.

He chose Michigan Tech for a number of reasons. His brother was attending, it financially made sense, and he wanted to pursue engineering. Like many Huskies, Currey remembers working on snow statues during Winter Carnival and once being stuck on US-2 for 30 hours while returning to campus from Christmas break. 

“I wasn’t always the best student I could have been, but Tech did a great job at preparing me,” said Currey. “I had great instructors and interesting classes, and Tech also offered many growth opportunities outside of the classroom such as living and working with others and a vibrant fraternity scene.”

In Currey’s time as an alumnus, he has provided both professional and financial support to current Michigan Tech students. In March 2023, he spent several days in the College of Business, speaking to both undergraduate and graduate students, sharing his knowledge with them, and answering their questions.

Together with his wife, Pam, the Curreys established the Robert & Pamela Currey Endowed Scholarship Award to provide financial assistance to students near his high school in Monroe, Michigan, or his summer home in Bellaire, Michigan. 

“I support Michigan Tech students because it gives me the opportunity to have an impact and help others like me, who did not have the financial support for college,” he said.

In recognition of his career and relationship with the University, Currey will be presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award in August 2025.

Updated May 2025