News Details

Windstream Announces Executive Management Appointments

August 10, 2009

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Windstream Corporation (NYSE: WIN) today announced changes to its senior leadership team to bolster efforts to serve customers and drive revenue growth.

"These management changes will enhance our efforts to transform this business by sharpening our focus and coordination on sales and service," said Jeff Gardner, president and CEO. "The changes provide a more efficient reporting structure and greater flexibility to evaluate the strategic opportunities in front of us to further grow our business."

The appointments were approved by the company's board of directors and are effective immediately.

Brent Whittington has been named chief operating officer and will oversee operations, customer service, information technology, marketing and sales. Whittington has served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for Windstream since December 2005. He previously served as senior vice president of operations for Alltel.

Tony Thomas has been named chief financial officer and will manage the financial, tax, procurement, audit, treasury, risk management and corporate communications teams. Thomas has served as controller for Windstream since June 2006. He previously served as vice president of investor relations at Alltel and is a licensed certified public accountant.

John Eichler has been named vice president and controller and will be responsible for the company's accounting and external reporting departments. Eichler has served as vice president of internal audit for Windstream since July 2006. He previously served as vice president of internal audit for Alltel's wireline business and is a licensed certified public accountant and a certified internal auditor.

Cindy Nash has been named chief information officer and will continue to manage the company's information technology, business processes and training groups. Nash has served as senior vice president of information technology for Windstream since November 2007. She served as chief information officer for VALOR Telecom prior to joining Windstream.

About Windstream

Windstream Corporation is an S&P 500 company that provides phone, high-speed Internet and high-definition digital TV services to customers in 16 states. The company also offers a wide range of IP-based voice and data services and advanced phone systems and equipment to businesses and government agencies. The company has approximately 3 million access lines and about $3.1 billion in annual revenues. Windstream is ranked 4th in the 2009 BusinessWeek 50 ranking of the best performing U.S. companies. For more information about Windstream, visit www.windstream.com.