Don Burns

Accomplished business leader Don Burns has over three decades of experience in the telecommunications sector. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he launched his career at ATX Communications in 1985 and later gained experience in various leadership roles at Mid-Atlantic Telecom. In 1993, Don Burns co-founded Telco Communications, a long distance services company with an innovative approach aimed at helping customers decrease their monthly phone bills. Offering calling capacity leased at wholesale prices from major phone service carriers, Telco’s Dial & Save and Long Distance Wholesale Club allowed customers to make discounted long distance calls throughout the U.S. and Canada by simply dialing a five-digit access code. Don Burns led Telco Communications for three years as CEO and vice chairman, during which time he guided the firm to a successful $77 million IPO. Having facilitated year-on-year profit increases and continuously rising stock values, Don Burns sold Telco to Excel Communications, Inc., for $1 billion in 1997.

Today, Mr. Burns serves as the chairman of the board of directors at magicJack, the original developer of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. magicJack has sold over 10 million of its devices, which allow users to make local and long distance calls via an existing Internet connection. The company was the recipient of the 2013 Frost & Sullivan Award for Best Consumer VoIP Service.

In addition to his leadership in the telecommunications industry, Don Burns directs the philanthropic activities of the Donald A. Burns Foundation as its founder and president. Dedicated to empowering educational and social institutions, the Foundation’s grants have established youth athletic programs in urban communities, provided care to individuals battling life-threatening illnesses, and promoted political progress and equality via its support of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute.