SAN DIEGO, June 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ LEAP ]), a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless communications services, today announced that its Board of Directors has nominated Paula Kruger and Mark A. Leavitt, as well as six current directors, to stand for election to the Company's Board at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be held on July 28, 2011.

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The Board believes that Ms. Kruger and Mr. Leavitt will make significant contributions to Leap's Board at a time of opportunity and growth for the Company. In particular, the Board expects Ms. Kruger's expertise in retail will be highly relevant as the Company expands its national retail distribution and that Mr. Leavitt's strategic and finance background with growth companies in the telecommunications space will provide important perspective as Leap seeks to continue enhancing shareholder value.

John H. Chapple and William A. Roper, Jr. will be leaving the Board at the conclusion of their terms of service. The Leap Board expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Chapple and Mr. Roper for their dedicated service and significant contributions to Leap and its Board.

Ms. Kruger, age 60, will provide the Board with significant operational expertise due to her experience as an executive of several companies in diverse and various industries, including retail and telecommunications. Since August 2008, she has served as chief executive officer of Milano Worldwide Corporation, a designer, manufacturer and marketer of souvenir and giftware products. Prior to joining Milano, Ms. Kruger served as executive vice president of the mass markets group of Qwest Communications International Inc. from September 2003 to August 2008. Prior to that Ms. Kruger served as president of the customer relationship management service line at Electronic Data Systems Corporation from January 2002 to September 2003. From September 1999 to January 2002, Ms. Kruger was a search consultant for Taylor Winfield and Heidrick & Struggles, both executive search firms. From March 1997 to September 1999, Ms. Kruger served as executive vice president of operations at Excel Communications Inc. Ms. Kruger also brings significant expertise and perspective through her service as a member of the boards of directors of private companies and non-profit organizations. Ms. Kruger holds a B.A. in economics from Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus and an M.B.A. from the Roth Graduate School of Business of Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus.

Mark Leavitt, age 52, will bring significant financial and telecommunications expertise to our Board due to his extensive investment banking experience, primarily with companies in technology, media and communications businesses. Mr. Leavitt joined Piper Jaffray in April 2008 as a managing director and the head of media and telecommunications investment banking and currently heads the firm's global technology, media and telecommunications group. Prior to Piper, he served as a managing director and head of the media and communications group at Jefferies & Company, Inc. from May 2005 to April 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Leavitt held similar positions with several investment banking firms from 1987 to 2005, including Robertson Stephens and Prudential Securities. Mr. Leavitt also brings significant expertise and perspective through his service as a member of the boards of directors of private and public companies in various industries, including telecommunications. Mr. Leavitt holds a B.S. from Trinity College and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

About Leap

Leap provides innovative, high-value wireless services to a fast-growing, young and ethnically diverse customer base. With the value of unlimited wireless services as the foundation of its business, Leap pioneered its Cricket® service. The Company and its joint ventures now operate in 35 states and the District of Columbia and hold licenses in 35 of the top 50 U.S. markets. Through its affordable, flat-rate service plans, Cricket offers customers a choice of unlimited voice, text, high-speed data and mobile Web services. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Leap is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "LEAP." For more information, please visit [ www.leapwireless.com ].

Important Information

Leap, its directors and executive officers will be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with its 2011 annual meeting of stockholders. Important information concerning the identity and interests of Leap's directors and executive officers is set forth in Leap's preliminary proxy statement for its 2011 annual meeting of stockholders filed on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on the date hereof.

Leap's definitive proxy statement, any other relevant documents and other materials filed with the SEC concerning Leap will be, when filed, available free of charge at [ http://www.sec.gov ] and [ http://investor.leapwireless.com ]. Stockholders should carefully read the proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card when they become available before making any voting decision.

SOURCE Leap Wireless International, Inc.

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[ http://www.leapwireless.com ]

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Leap Nominates Two New Directors For Election to Board

Leap Nominates Two New Directors For Election to Board