FairPoint names Duke Energy's Hauser CEO

Much-maligned FairPoint Communications isn't straying too far afield in its selection of a new CEO to replace its retiring top dog, Chairman and CEO Eugene Johnson, who's stepping down July 1. The telco-which has taken a beating as it has struggled to assume operations of the landline operations it purchased from Verizon in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire-has named former Duke Energy CFO David L. Hauser as its new chief executive.

Hauser, 57, has been a FairPoint director for the past four years, so he knows the hurdles the company will have to overcome following the $2.3 billion acquisition from Verizon.

"FairPoint is a dynamic, customer-focused organization that can and will respond to the challenges that it faces today," Hauser said. "There is no doubt in my mind that we will be successful in the markets we serve, and that our employees will continue to be the driver and backbone of that success."

Hauser's been with Duke Energy since 1973 and has filled numerous roles from operations to finance. He'll need it all to help FairPoint complete its takeover of the operations it began running in January.

"David's past experience, financial acumen and extensive public company experience will be instrumental in successfully realizing the growth and opportunities that we envision for FairPoint," FairPoint lead director Jane Newman said in a statement. "He will be passionately focused on customers and shareholders alike."

For more:
- see this press release [1]
- and this article [2]

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