Draft:Charles E. Price

• Comment: Many of the cited sources doesn't even mention Mr. Price. Ca ^{talk to me!} 00:30, 18 June 2025 (UTC)

• Comment: Please read why WP:COI editing is strongly discouraged. Greenman (talk) 20:06, 21 May 2023 (UTC)

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Charles Edward Price (born 1943) is an American telecommunications executive known for leadership roles at Bell System, Sprint, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). He was involved in early implementations of data communications networks, home banking technologies, and large-scale corporate information systems during the 1970s through the early 1990s.

Early life and education

Price was born in Clinton, Tennessee, in 1943 to Clara Price (née Thornton), a mill worker, and Ben Price, a U.S. Army veteran and auto mechanic. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1965 with a degree in engineering, and earned an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1967, focusing on management theory and telecommunications technologies.

Career

Bell Systems

From 1967 to 1981, Price held engineering and management positions at Pacific Telephone, Bell Laboratories, and South Central Bell. His responsibilities included the design and implementation of multi-state data communications networks and overseeing data center operations and software development.

United American Bank

Price joined United American Bank (UAB) in Knoxville, Tennessee, as Chief Operating Officer of its data processing subsidiary. There, he led the development of early personal computer banking platforms and helped implement a multi-state ATM network. UAB collapsed in 1983 following the conviction of its owner, Jake Butcher, for bank fraud.

Sprint (formerly United Telecommunications)

Following the collapse of UAB, Price returned to the telecommunications industry, joining United Telecommunications (later Sprint Corporation) in 1984. He served as Vice President of Information Management during the company's merger with GTE Sprint to form US Sprint Communications.[7] During his tenure, Price oversaw MIS functions and was involved in the development of a national fiber-optic network to compete with AT&T.

Tennessee Valley Authority

In 1990, Price was appointed Vice President at the Tennessee Valley Authority under Chairman Marvin Runyon. He led initiatives to modernize TVA's corporate network infrastructure and contributed to labor negotiations and data center optimization. During a period of cost-cutting and reorganization at TVA, Price helped implement wide-area and local networks supporting TVA's nuclear and direct-serve operations. He remained at TVA until his retirement in 1993.

Personal Life

Price married Kay Loy in 1965. The couple has three daughters and six grandchildren. They returned to Clinton, Tennessee, in 2000. They are active in local historical and civic efforts, including the preservation of the story of the Clinton 12, the first group of African American students to desegregate a public high school in the South.