Forum on Communications, Technology, and Government November 5
Press Release · Tuesday, Nov 2, 2010

Washington, DC

Long Distance Warrior: New film highlights accomplishments of William G. McGowan

Washington, DC…On Friday, November 5, at 7 p.m., the National Archives marks its sixth annual William G. McGowan Forum on Communications, Technology, and Government with a special screening of Long Distance Warrior: A New Documentary about the Most Famous Entrepreneur You’ve Never Heard of. This program is free and open to the public, and will take place in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, located on the National Mall at Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station.

This documentary tells the compelling story of William G. McGowan, the man who took on the most powerful monopoly of his time—AT&T—and transformed long-distance service from luxury to affordability as he built the tiny company MCI into a telecommunications powerhouse. The documentary presents a gripping case study of the kind of vision, determination, and calculated risk-taking needed to spark real progress. The film will be introduced by Bill Conway, founding partner and managing director, the Carlyle Group. Following the screening, remarks will be made by Sarah Holt and Bestor Cram, the film’s producers, and John Worthington, former general counsel for MCI. This program is generously supported by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc., and presented in partnership with the Foundation for the National Archives.

“A long-time supporter, the McGowan Charitable Fund is pleased to partner with the National Archives in the screening of the documentary, Long Distance Warrior,” said Diana Spencer, Executive Director of the William G. McGowan Fund, Inc. “This film is an integral chapter in the telecommunications industry history, and a story that people will certainly find intriguing.”

The National Archives is fully accessible. To request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) please email public.program@nara.gov or call 202-357-5000.

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For press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at (202) 357-5300.

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