Windstream Hires Former XO Exec as First-Ever CTO

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to see which channel people were on the move in February and March.**

Windstream Corp. has named Randy Nicklas executive vice president of engineering and CTO.

A Windstream spokesman told Arkansas Business the position is new. Windstream had a senior vice president of network services, Bill Bellando, but he resigned in February. The Nicklas appointment comes as Windstream faces FCC scrutiny for the quality of its broadband services.

To that point, Nicklas will be responsible for network planning and engineering, outside plant, records and capital management.

Nicklas comes to Windstream from XO Communications, where he also served as CTO and senior vice president of engineering. At XO, Nicklass oversaw the technology for the company’s voice, data, and transport networks. He also served as an adviser on the design of XO’s commercial and wholesale voice, data and IP services.

“Randy has a deep understanding of complex telecommunications networks, a wealth of experience leading engineering organizations and a real passion for excellence,” said Brent Whittington, COO of Windstream. “He will help us take the critical next steps to strengthen our network so that it truly becomes the platform for our long-term success.”

Nicklas also has worked for Intelsat, Cisco, MCI, NASA, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Computer Sciences Corp.