Windstream is the latest telco to undergo a leadership change, as it’s appointed Paul Sunu president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. He succeeds Tony Thomas, who decided to depart the company after 17 years.
Sunu, who has served as Windstream’s chairman of the board since 2020, will retain his position as he shifts into the role as chief executive. He will be tasked with “enhanc[ing] the effectiveness” of the company’s strategy, improving customer service and driving Windstream’s next phase of growth.
Sunu’s background includes over two decades of telecom industry experience, with a particular focus on rural telecom and M&A.
Prior to joining Windstream, he was CEO at FairPoint Communications, which was later acquired by Consolidated Communications. At FairPoint, he helped develop an 18,000-mile fiber network, serving over 300 health care facilities and 1,600 fiber-to-the-tower connections.
Sunu was also a co-founder of Madison River Communications (later acquired by CenturyLink – now Lumen), where he acquired and integrated five RLEC operations.
“Over the past three years as Chairman, I have come to appreciate the caliber of the management team and the determination, dedication and talent within Windstream,” Sunu said in a statement. “I look forward to working with them to serve our customers with excellence as we continue to expand our fiber network.”
Windstream has been building up its fiber-to-the-home footprint through an array of public-private partnerships, most recently in Georgia and Kentucky. On the long-haul front, the company is working on a route that will eventually connect Montreal to New York City.
The company didn’t disclose the reason for Thomas’ departure. He commented in a statement, “I thank the Board for their support and remain confident that the Company is on the right course.”
Thomas served as Windstream’s CEO since 2014. During his tenure, the company restructured after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019, and eventually it was able to shed more than $4 billion in debt.
Additionally, Windstream has continued to scoop up broadband grants and touted the first successful interoperability trial of 400G ZR+ modules.