The short list is out for telecoms industry CEO of the year 2009.

We were deluged by responses when we asked to send in nominations for CEO of the Year – plus reasons for each nomination!

We have compiled a short list from all the responses, and now it's time to ask you to vote for the CEO of the Year. The award will be presented at the World Communication Awards gala dinner in November.

So, without further ado, here is the short list, with some additional information on each candidate:

Saad Al Barrak - Zain Group
Dr. Saad Al Barrak has held the post of deputy chairman and managing director (CEO) of Zain Group (formerly MTC) since 2002.

Prior to joining Zain, Al Barrak was managing director of MENA region IT company International Turnkey Systems (ITS). He has also been vice-chairman of the Social Development Office (SDO) of the Amiri Diwan in Kuwait; chairman of Egyptian software developer IT Soft; chairman of Arab Telecom; and a non-executive director of Arab Management Association in Cairo.

"He is qualified to be the X- Factor of this year," said one of the people who nominated Al Barrak. "[He] has taken the company from one single entity operating only in Kuwait to a global entity operating in more than 24 countries, within a short period of time," said another.

 
Khalid Omar Al Kaf  - Etihad Etisalat (Mobily)
Khalid Omar Al Kaf became chief executive officer and managing director of Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) in July 2005, after spending a little over a year with the company as a project manager.

Al Kaf started his professional career in 1986 with Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat), working closely with Alcatel and Fujitsu on software development.

As general manager of Etisalat’s Network Services division, he played a definitive role in building a state-of-the-art third generation mobile network in the United Arab Emirates.

"Strong leader Knows what he wants Considers himself one of the company... He loves his work therefore we love work too," said one of those who nominated Al Kaf. "All the way people oriented," said another.

 
Zeinal Bava - Portugal Telecom
Having joined Portugal Telecom in 1999, Zeinal Bava was appointed CEO of the company in March 2008.

Prior to this appointment, Bava was the deputy CEO of Portugal Telecom and headed the company's domestic business.

One reader praised Bava for "effectively changing the aim of an incumbent telecom operator to a high-tech 4-play provider with top recognized branding in less than a year." Another simply said, "genius".

Sureyya Ciliv – Turkcell
Sureyya Ciliv joined Turkcell as its chief executive in January 2007.

Between 1997 and 2007 Ciliv held various executive positions within Microsoft, and prior to that served as chairman of Novasoft Systems, a company he co-founded. Ciliv started his career as a software development engineer at U.S.-based Metagraphics

"Under Ciliv's leadership Turkcell made significant achievements in communications and technology... Ciliv and his executive team managed to sustain growth against strong economic headwinds and fierce competition... Ciliv values teamwork and believes that the most important asset of Turkcell is its people," said one of the Turkcell's CEO's nominators.

"He is really passionate about what he does...He is result oriented, but also supports his people to innovate even when it's risky," added another
 

Barbara Dalibard - Orange Business Services
Barbara Dalibard was appointed to head Orange's Enterprise Communication Services Division in 2004, but began her career within the France Telecom Group in 1982.

She has also served as chairman of Alcanet International, a subsidiary of the Alcatel Group, and held various other positions within Alcatel.

"[Dalibard has] great drive to maintain the company as a leader despite the difficult economic situation," one of her fans said.

"An inspiration to women in the industry," another testimonial read.

Peter Kaliaropoulos - Batelco
Peter Kaliaropoulos became CEO of Batelco in June 2005.

Kaliaropoulos has over 28 years of experience in the international ICT sector. Prior to joining Batelco, he held various senior executive roles including managing director at SingTel Optus Business (Australia); COO/SVP of StarHub (Singapore); CEO of Clear (New Zealand); director sales & service, BT Asia Pacific (Singapore & Australia); director at BT Syncordia Asia Pacific; VP sales & marketing at Telstra (USA) and managing director Mobile Sales & Distribution, Telstra (Australia).

"Simply he is a great leader and knows how sustain profit and make the organization to grow year after year... six acquisitions since he took over in June 2005," said one person who nominated Kaliaropoulos.

"During the last four years, Mr. Kaliaropolous successfully implemented a strategy based on the transformation of Batelco's operational capabilities," added another.
 

Rashid Khan – Mobilink
Rashid Khan took over as CEO of Mobilink Pakistan in October 2008.

He previously served as chief executive of Bangladeshi mobile operator banglalink.

"In this moment of recession he has shown his skills to manage the sinking ship Mobilink and put it to road of success," said one of Khan's supporters.

"Excellent vision and knowledge of the industry with a vast experience in telecom industry," added another.
 

John Legere - Global Crossing
Having served as president and CEO of Asia Global Crossing since February 2000, John Legere took over as CEO of Global Crossing in October 2001. Legere steered Global Crossing through its lengthy bankruptcy and restructuring; the company emerged from bankruptcy in December 2003 after almost two years.

Legere began his telecoms career at AT&T, where he held executive posts at AT&T Asia/Pacific and AT&T Solutions. He subsequently became president of Dell Computer Corp's Asia-Pacific operations, and then president of its EMEA business.

"John has worked tirelessly to take Global Crossing from strength to strength," one of his nominations said.
 

Jim Marsh – Cable & Wireless
A qualified chartered accountant, Jim Marsh is chief executive officer at Cable & Wireless Worldwide. He joined Cable & Wireless in November 2005 through the company's acquisition of Energis, where he was Director of Retail.

Before joining Energis, Marsh was Chief Operating Officer at Atos KPMG Consulting; he became a partner at KPMG in 1997. Marsh has also served as head of strategic planning at Boots the Chemists.

"Jim's challenge was clear; motivate colleagues, reduce customers to about 3,000 corporates and become a truly global telco. Jim succeeded. Customer churn is down, colleague satisfaction up," said one testimonial.
 

Bjarni K. Thorvardarson - Hibernia Atlantic
Iceland's Bjarni K. Thorvardarson is CEO of Hibernia Atlantic, a position he has held since December 2004.

He is also chief executive of CVC Iceland Holding Ltd.

Before joining CVC/Hibernia Atlantic, Thorvardarson was CEO of investment fund Talenta, senior account manager for the Icelandic Investment Bank, and VP of software development for Tecnival, Iceland.

"Mr. Thorvardarson is the CEO of all CEO's!.. Mr. Thorvardarson works hard day in and day out to ensure the success of his companies, and always has a smile on his face," said one Thorvardarson supporter.

"In a difficult economic climate he has brilliantly managed Hibernia Atlantic," another said.
 

Lee Wade - Exponential-e
An IT specialist, Lee Wade founded Exponential-e in 2002 and now serves as the company's managing director.

His previous two roles were to turnaround two ISPs in order to enable the successful sale of the companies.

He has also worked for McDonnell Douglas and BP.

"Lee's foresight brought VPLS Ethernet to market at least two years ahead of the curve," read one of Wade's testimonials.

"Lee is an inspiration to everyone he meets, be it staff, candidates, clients, prospective customers or those people he meets in passing. He has an energy and vision for life and for Exponential-e that lifts the spirits of people and enables them to be the best they can be," another enthused.