The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-10
J. EPPS BROWN PROMOTED.
A Newberry Boy Made General Man
ager Southern Bell Telephone
Company.

journal OF Saturday:
Announcement is made that J. Epps
Brown, Of Atlanta. has been elected
general manager Of the Southern Bell
Telephone and Telegraph company,
the Offices Of vice president and gen.
eral manager, both Of which were held
by Colonel ". T. Gentry having been
separated. The rapid growth and de-
velopment Of the company made it
necessary to enlarge the organization
and Colonel Gentry's recommendation
that a general manager be elected was
acted upon favorably last week by
! the board of directors and Mr. Brown
was selected as general manager. The
change is effective April 10 and Off
cial announcement will be made by
Colonel Gentry April 8.
Colonel Gentry will remain in di-
rect charge Of the affairs Of the COM
pany with headquarters in Atlanta,
but will devote his time largely to the
executive duties of vice president,
which have increased during the past
few years. He will be the personal
representative Of the president in all
matters Of policy. The growth Of the
Southern Bell Telephone and Tele-
graph during the next five years is
expected to be greater than during
any similar period. The consequent
increase in the detail work in the
office Of vice president and. general
manager made division Of the two
Offices not only desirable. but neces-
sary.
J. Epps Brown, the new manager,
is a native of Newberry, S. c., and is
a young man only thirty-eight years
Of age He began his career in the
telephone field March, 1899, when he
became manager of theSSouthern Bell
exchange at Americus, Georgia. Since
that time he has won rapid promo
tion and his career has been success
fll and brilliant to a marked degree.
While in Americus he attracted the
attention of Colonel Gentry, who
brought Mr.. Brown to Atlanta as his
chief clerk. He retained this position
when Colonel Gentry was made gen
eral manager. He displayed such
ability that he was soon made special
agent and with the increase of busi-
ness he became special to the general
manager. An energetic worker and
constant student, he grasped every
detail Of the business and developed |
unusual executive ability. He has
been closely associated with Colonel
Gentry for many years and through |
this intimate relationship has the ad-
vantage Of Colonel Gentry's fund Of
knowledge receiving training that
won him rapid advancement:
When Colonel Gentry went to Eu-
rope in 1904 Mr.. Borwn was appoint
ed acting general manager and con-
Quoted the affairs Of the company in
a satisfactory manner. Since that
time he has handled large part Of
the work in the office Of vice presi-
dent and general manager and has
been in the full confidence Of the off,
GERS of the company. His election as
general manager is a recognition Of
his ability and fitness and is deserv-
ed promotion for a tireless worker
Mr.. Brown is regarded as one of the
coming men in the telephone field.
Remains In Atlanta.
It will be a matter Of pleasure to
Colonel Gentry's friends to know that
lis Headquarters and residence will I
'emain in Atlanta. He will have gen.
raj charge of the affairs Of the COM
,any but will devote his time to the
particular duties Of vice president (
which have grown to large proper
ions by reason Of the rapid growth
f the business and the investment Of ,
o many millions Of dollars. G
Colonel Gentry is we'll know and S
'opular throughout the south and is t
egarded as one of the ablest tele- 8
hone officials in the country. He has 7
erhaps done mere than any one man
0 develop the telephone interests Of |
he south and has been instrumental s
4 bringing large sums Of capital into t
his section. He had faith in the fu- II
ure Of the south and has had the S
of seeing his confidence
ustifed by the marvellous develop q
lent in all lines during the past few :.