Sprint CEO Replaces Top Execs

Sprint Nextel Corp.s new CEO is cleaning house.

For the second week in a row, Dan Hesse has announced changes intended to turn around the ailing wireless provider. Last week Sprint cut 4,000 jobs and closed 8 percent of its retail stores. On Thursday, Hesse fired some long-time executives and named interim replacements.

Paul Saleh, CFO; Tim Kelly, chief marketing officer; and Mark Angelino, president of sales and distribution, all will leave Sprint on Jan. 25.

“I want to thank each of these individual leaders for their dedication and contributions to Sprint Nextel,” Hesse said in a prepared statement. “I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”

William Arendt, senior voice president and controller of Sprint Nextel, will fill in for Saleh. John Garcia, senior vice president of product development and marketing, will act as interim chief marketing office. And Paget Alves, a name familiar to CLECs and agents alike, will serve as Angelinos temporary successor.

“Permanent leaders will be named in conjunction with a review of overall strategy and an effort to streamline operations,” Hesse said. “I have no predetermined timeframe in filling these positions but plan to act as quickly as possible as I consider both internal and external candidates.”

Sprint did not immediately respond to inquiries about Alves and whether he will assume control of the indirect channel. He has worked in various sales and marketing positions at Sprint, including enterprise sales, strategic markets and wholesale services. He also sits on the COMPTEL board.

Sprint Nextel Corp. www.sprint.com