Vancouver, Wash.-Based Telecom Company Takes New President.

Byline: Mike Rogoway

Feb. 14--With more than $1 billion in debt, 11 consecutive years of financial losses, a share price under $1 and its third president in just over a year, these might seem to be turbulent times at Electric Lightwave Inc.

Its new president, 37-year-old Daniel McCarthy, plans to inject a degree of stability. McCarthy, who took over the Vancouver telecommunications company last month, said he intends to continue implementing the business strategy developed by his predecessor last year.

ELI will concentrate on cutting expenses, McCarthy said, building a stable customer base and steadily increasing revenues. The company will be profitable eventually, he promises, though he won't say when.

What McCarthy did say is that he's committed to sticking around and making ELI work. Last …