Mr. Balke brings over 20 years of telecommunications industry experience to clients as a Senior Consultant in QSI's Telecommunications Division. The majority of Mr. Balke's career has been dedicated to technical and cost analysis functions associated with telecom networks, services, and business decisions for products.

Mr. Balke was an Associate Director of Cost Analysis & Regulatory for SBC and Ameritech. In that capacity he led a team responsible for regulatory policy cost models and cost study work for loops, sub-loops, inter-office facilities, and unbundled network elements. Mr. Balke was responsible for loop modeling methods and development, and testimony support for cost witnesses. Under his direction, many innovative cost modeling methods were developed and used successfully in many jurisdictions.

Mr. Balke also worked in Budapest developing loop cost methodology for Hungary's largest Telecom Company, MATAV. His skills include experience working in the network operations of several telecommunications firms in the areas of transmission engineering, planning for digital and analog carrier systems, cables, and equipment.

Since leaving SBC, Mr. Balke has constructed, critiqued, and/or reviewed telecommunications costing models for many large companies and has provided expert engineering and cost analysis testimony for numerous clients such as local and competitive telephone companies, and state regulatory agencies.

Mr. Balke earned his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University.