Qwest’s new chief executive shed more light Tuesday on his views for the company and his decision to return to corporate work after taking a year off.
On the video front, Ed Mueller plans to continue to resell DirecTV satellite-TV service even when, or if, Qwest launches its own video offering more broadly.
He expressed support for Qwest’s ongoing effort to secure franchise agreements without having to commit to a build-out requirement, a main sticking point with municipalities.
Mueller doesn’t have a plan yet on how the Denver-based company will stem land-line losses. He’d rather focus on growing the amount of money Qwest makes from its existing households by convincing consumers to buy more services. In the second quarter, the company’s average revenue per user grew to $53 from $49 during the same period a year ago as it sold more bundles of services.
Mueller, 60, addressed a number of other issues during an interview Tuesday at his new office on the 52nd floor of Qwest’s downtown Denver headquarters. Here are some excerpts:
Q: What is your long-term vision for Qwest?
A: It’s too early, but I have ideas. I’ve been thinking about it since the first call was placed to me. But for me to even be halfway intelligent here I have to see what’s going on. I’ve got to calibrate right now where are we and what are we doing because there may be a lot of things that need tweaking or whatever. My vision isn’t important until we’re ready to execute.
Q: Is Qwest an acquisition target?
A: I came here to run the company. But I have to be opportunistic and mindful (of opportunities). I think we’re in a great position.
Q: Why did you decide to get back in the game?
A: I love business. In general, I’d been working on boards and helping friends. I’ve always stayed active in business. It intrigued me when this opportunity came up. What tipped me over was … when I started looking at the financials and free cash flow and said, ‘Wow, they’ve done a great job.’ Secondly, the service got better. I loved the disciplined capital approach that Qwest was using, meaning they were being very disciplined about what they spent.
Q: Do you have someone in mind that you want to bring in to be your No. 2 executive?
A: No, not really. I like the team that’s here. Everybody starts high on my bar. I have no burning desire to bring in a new person.
Q: How long do you foresee staying at the helm at Qwest?
A: Right now, however long it takes to fill my personal needs and the company’s needs. We signed a three-year contract with evergreen clauses (meaning the contract renews automatically if the Mueller and Qwest don’t object), so that would tell you that we’re in this for the longer pull. We’re moving to Denver. We want to be here. We have no age limits on how long we can work here as an executive, which I like. It should be based on what you do and not how old you are, for goodness sakes.
Q: Do you have any civic commitment plans?
A: I know I will be involved in this community; which parts of that, I have to see what’s available, what makes sense from what I like to do and what would make sense from what people would want you to do. But you can rest assured, we will be involved, my wife and I.
Q: What are your passions?
A: I love education. I’m still hopeful we can figure out public education. That’s something I have a real strong feeling about as well as an interest in. I feel like that’s something I’d like to give back to the community.
Staff writer Andy Vuong can be reached at 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com.
