Windstream Cuts Jobs Related to EarthLink Buy

Windstream’s latest job cuts follow a detailed review of overall functions at EarthLink as part of integration planning to identify redundancies in positions and leveraging existing workgroups.

Edward Gately, Senior News Editor

February 24, 2017

2 Min Read
Windstream Cuts Jobs Related to EarthLink Buy

Edward Gately**Editor’s Note: Click here for the latest edition of the Channel Partners telecom and IT layoff tracker.**

Windstream is cutting 50 jobs over the next 90 days in Rochester, New York, as part of its acquisition of EarthLink, which is expected to close early next week.

Last month, Windstream confirmed it had eliminated 164 jobs in an effort to “efficiently manage the business,” and align resources to current work demands and opportunities. Those cuts were unrelated to the merger.

The latest job cuts, as well as management appointments, follow a detailed review of overall functions at EarthLink as part of integration planning to identify redundancies in positions and leverage existing workgroups, according to Windstream. The positions primarily are in corporate support departments, including finance, legal and human resources. Going forward, the company expects to have about 900 employees in Rochester.{ad}

David Avery, Windstream’s vice president of corporate affairs, tells Channel Partners that Rochester is home to the largest number of EarthLink employees.

“It also is a key work center for us, and now we will have an expanded presence there,” he said.

Windstream's John DobbinsEmployees affected by the changes can apply for other open positions within Windstream. The company also will provide severance benefits.

Windstream’s workforce totals about 12,000.

“Windstream and EarthLink stockholders approved the merger [Friday],” Avery said. “We expect to close the transaction early next week, subject to customary closing conditions.”

All of the required federal and state agencies have approved Windstream’s $1.1 billion purchase of EarthLink.

Also Friday, Windstream announced John Dobbins of Rochester as executive vice president of access. He currently is EarthLink’s executive vice president and managing director of network operations and carrier. He will be responsible for managing the combined company’s network interconnection organization and remain based in Rochester.

In addition to Dobbins, Windstream also announced the appointments of the following EarthLink leaders in Rochester and …

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… their roles in the combined company:

  • Mike Flannery – senior vice president of sales and marketing for SMB;

  • Mark Jeary – senior vice president of access planning, assurance and implementation;

  • Jeanne Dale – vice president of access voice management;

  • Jill Fritz – vice president of small business;

  • Tom Thomas – vice president of financial planning and analysis for consumer and SMB;

  • Kurt Utzman – vice president of service delivery; and

  • Adam Zonneville – senior director of access pricing and product.

“Windstream will be a stronger, more competitive company with the talented leadership team that we are assembling for the combined company and Rochester will be a larger operational center of excellence for the company,” said Tony Thomas, Windstream’s president and CEO.

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About the Author

Edward Gately

Senior News Editor, Channel Futures

As senior news editor, Edward Gately covers cybersecurity, new channel programs and program changes, M&A and other IT channel trends. Prior to Informa, he spent 26 years as a newspaper journalist in Texas, Louisiana and Arizona.

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