Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Oak Ridge, Morehouse Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1999-08-06

Duration: 00:24:58

Subjects: Williams, Clarke M. | Business | CenturyLink | Telecommunication | Technology

Contributors:

• Weill, Gus Host
• Fowler, Ken Producer
• Williams, Clarke Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from August 6, 1999, features an interview with Clarke Williams conducted by Gus Weill. Williams, a native of Oak Ridge, is the founder and chairman of the board for Century Telephone (now known as CenturyLink). He discusses: growing up in Oak Ridge; his father’s telephone company, Oak Ridge Telephone Company, including the switchboard he kept in the house; his desire to have enough business to support his family; inheriting his father’s company; the company’s expansion; the debut of Century Telephone on the New York Stock Exchange in 1978; the services the company provides; quickly changing technology; his role as Chairman of the Board; the future of Century Telephone; and the qualities needed to achieve success.