Verizon Names Stratton New Wireless Boss

Verizon (VZ) elevated John Stratton, its former Global Enterprise and Consumer Wireline boss, to head its wireless business, replacing Dan Mead, who served as the unit’s chief executive since 2010 and will retire after overseeing the sale of the telecom carrier’s wireline operations in California, Florida and Texas to Frontier Communications.

With Stratton’s ascension, Verizon now joins carriers T-Mobile (TMUS), Sprint (S) and AT&T (T) with new chiefs, all of whom have been appointed in the last two years.

Verizon disclosed the change in leadership in an 8-K SEC filing dated February 17, in which the company said it “reorganized its operating structure.” In the filing, Verizon said Stratton’s official title is Executive Vice President and President of Operations, tasked with “operational responsibility for Verizon’s wireless and wireline businesses.”

Stratton will continue to report to Lowell McAdam, Verizon chairman and chief executive.

Until his official retirement, Mead will serve in a new role as Executive Vice President and President of Strategic Initiatives, Verizon said. Verizon said it expects Mead to retire “following the completion of the strategic initiatives on which he is working.” Verizon and Frontier expect their deal will be completed in the first half of 2016.

Stratton previously served as Verizon’s Global Enterprise and Consumer Wireline executive vice president and president, overseeing its Consumer, Mass Business, Enterprise Solutions and Global Wholesale Operating Units, along with handling its wireline network, cloud computing, and cyber-security platforms.

He also served as president of Verizon Enterprise Solutions, with responsibility for Verizon’s solutions for business and government customers, key verticals, IT consulting services and global wholesale offerings. In addition, had a stint as Verizon Wireless’ executive vice president and chief operating officer, and executive vice president and chief marketing officer (CMO) of Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless.

A Verizon spokesperson told FierceWireless the carrier will not fill Stratton’s most recent post because his new role calls for him to handle both Verizon’s wireless and wireline operations.