Qwest shuffled its senior-management ranks Wednesday in a series of moves designed to sharpen the company’s operations.
Three insiders were promoted to executive vice president positions for Qwest’s main operating groups.
Chief executive Ed Mueller said the moves will help Qwest adjust to a decline in traditional phone-line business and capitalize on recent growth in the Internet, data and video sectors.
“This is not shuffling executives for mere movement sake,” Mueller said Wednesday from Qwest’s downtown headquarters. “This is a well-thought-out plan. There will be a lot of things we’ll be able to do better. We’re fortunate to have great bench strength here.”
The appointments are Teresa Taylor, 44, to the business markets group; Dan Yost, 59, to the mass markets organization; and Neil Cox, 58, to the product and IT division.
Paula Kruger, previously executive vice president for mass markets, is leaving Qwest. Company officials declined to offer a reason.
All three of the new executive vice presidents will report to chief operating officer Tom Richards, who previously ran the business markets group.
Mueller said that giving Richards daily executive oversight of the three operating groups will allow Mueller to focus more on strategic initiatives and also on Qwest’s retail marketing, an area of expertise for Mueller.
“We will have more horsepower focused on execution,” Mueller said.
Qwest announced other initiatives Wednesday:
• Customers now can switch their Qwest wireless service to Verizon provided through Qwest. Qwest in May said it was ending its partnership with Sprint Nextel.
• A cellphone recycling program is available in which Qwest Solutions Centers will offer prepaid envelopes that customers can use to mail in old wireless phones. Proceeds can be designated to the public school district of the customer’s choice.
• Mueller said Qwest “is in the ninth inning” of a process to select a new chief financial officer to replace the departing John Richardson.
Qwest shares fell 7 cents Wednesday to close at $3.68. The stock is down 47.5 percent so far this year.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com
Qwest promotions:
Teresa Taylor: Business markets group
Dan Yost: Mass markets organization
Neil Cox: Product and information technology division
