A key architect of the wireless industry is set to retire by the end of this year. Verizon Communications COO Dennis Strigl gave notice to his board yesterday.

Strigl served as president and CEO of Verizon Wireless before moving to the Verizon Communications COO role in 2007. Before that, his leadership in the wireless industry dates back to Ameritech Mobile Communications, where he was instrumental in launching the nation’s first cellular network in Chicago.

“Because we have the right leadership team in place to continue our success in the marketplace, I believe that this is an appropriate time to announce my retirement,” Strigl in part said in his statement.

Verizon Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg called Strigl’s contributions to Verizon and the communications industry “legendary.”

His retirement ends a 41-year career in the communications industry. Strigl began his career in 1968 with New York Telephone and held positions at AT&T and Wisconsin Telephone before becoming vice president of American Bell. In 1984, he became president of Ameritech Mobile Communications.

Then in 1989 he joined Bell Atlantic and became president and CEO of Bell Atlantic Mobile in 1991. He subsequently was named president and CEO of the combined Bell Atlantic Mobile and NYNEX Mobile when the companies merged in 1995. He’s also a past chairman of the CTIA board.

Strigl, 63, serves on the boards of Verizon Wireless, Eastman Kodak Company, PNC Financial Services Group and PNC Bank.  Until recently, he also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y.