Windstream Holdings Inc. announced Monday two new management appointments.
The Little Rock-based telecommunications firm said it has named Lewis Langston as chief information officer and Matt Dement as senior vice president of strategy, corporate development, and financial planning and analysis. Both appointments are effective Feb. 2, the company said.
Langston, who served as chief information officer at Allied Wireless Communications Corp. from 2009 to 2013, succeeds Cindy Nash, “who is leaving the company to pursue other career interests,” Windstream said.
“Lewis’ extensive telecommunications and technology experience will be a tremendous asset in our effort to provide a world-class experience to customers. He successfully led the effort to build the business infrastructure for a wireless company in an expedited manner. He also brings considerable expertise in designing and re-engineering processes to drive improvement,” Windstream President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Thomas said in a statement.
Dement, currently senior vice president in the communications and media group at investment bank Stephens Inc., will be responsible for leading Windstream’s corporate development and investment strategy, the company said.
"Matt has been a close adviser to Windstream over the past several years on several key strategic transactions that the company has announced," Chief Financial Officer Bob Gunderman said. "His investment banking experience, significant knowledge of the telecom industry and superior financial skills will be very beneficial to our efforts to maximize shareholder value."
The latest appointments come amid a series of shake-ups in the company’s leadership. Windstream on Tuesday announced the appointments of two senior vice presidents. In December, then-CEO Jeff Gardner resigned and was replaced by Thomas, the president of the company’s real estate trust.
Windstream said last July that it would turn its copper and fiber networks, along with other assets, into a real estate investment trust in 2015, pending regulatory approval. Windstream will host a special stockholders meeting Feb. 20, in conjunction with the spinoff, to approve a 1-for-6 reverse stock split and an amendment to Windstream Corp.’s certificate of incorporation that will change the corporation into a limited liability company.
Windstream provides voice and data services to businesses. It also offers broadband Internet and phone services in rural areas.