President and CEO
TDS Telecom | Madison
Jim Butman joined Madison-based TDS Telecom in 1985 and was appointed president and CEO in 2018. TDS, which provides internet, TV entertainment and phone services to rural and suburban communities throughout the U.S., has 3,400 employees. Previously, Butman was chief operating officer and group president of marketing, sales & customer operations at the TDS. He also served as president of TDS Metrocom, which became a $250 million business under his leadership. He serves on the boards of TDS Inc., UScellular, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, Northcentral Technical College and Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; MBA, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Favorite movie: “‘Good Will Hunting.’ It’s such a great movie with terrific actors and storyline.”
Favorite part of the workday: “I enjoy what I call my Monday Morning Huddle, where our leaders set out expectations for the week and get started with renewed energy and passion for the business.”
Advice for first-time leaders: “Take risks, try something out of your comfort zone, especially in new areas of the business. At TDS, we offer our leaders developmental positions that make our company and our leaders better.”
Favorite Wisconsin destination: “The Northwoods. My family and I have a house in Manitowish Waters, and there’s nothing like being in a beautiful place surrounded by the most important people in your life.”
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
C-Suite
President and CEO
TDS Telecom | Madison
Jim Butman was named president and chief executive officer of Madison-based TDS Telecom in 2018. He has been with the Telephone and Data Systems Inc. subsidiary since 1985. He’s held various leadership positions within the company, including chief operating officer and group president of marketing, sales and customer operations. He also served as president of TDS Metrocom, which grew to a $250 million business under his leadership.
Last year, TDS Telecom surpassed $1 billion in operating revenues for the first time and exceeded 500,000 broadband connections. It has a fiber-centric growth strategy, with plans to grow to 1.3 million fiber addresses, according to Butman. The company is actively building networks around the state, including in Brookfield, Janesville, Sheboygan, Chippewa Falls, Tomah, Fox Cities, Kaukauna, Green Bay and Eau Claire. The company has nearly 3,300 employees, including more than 1,000 in Madison. It operates in 32 states.
Butman serves on the boards of TDS Inc., the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, National Cable Television Cooperative and the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. He previously served on the INCOMPAS board for many years.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; MBA, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Hobby/passion: “Relaxing in northern Wisconsin, skiing, fishing, biking, golfing, and boating.”
