By Scott Miller
smiller@scbiznews.com
Published Jan. 19, 2010

The executives who helped NuVox Inc. become a multi-million dollar enterprise with 1,700 employees and a footprint in 16 states will not remain with the company after it is acquired by Windstream Corp. of Arkansas.

Windstream, which announced its intent in November to acquire Greenville-based NuVox at a cost of around $643 million, expects the transaction to close in early February.

Those departing include CEO Jim Akerhielm, Chairman and CFO David Solomon, President of Strategic Markets Mike Gallagher, Executive Vice President of Operations and Customer Service Paul Pitts, Executive Vice President of Service Delivery and IT Development Matt Blocha and General Counsel and Secretary Riley Murphy.

The announcements were made in two letters to NuVox employees, dated Jan. 7 and Jan. 15 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“With this transaction, NuVox is becoming part of a company that can extend our vision of being the market leader in delivering communications solutions to business customers. That will mean more change, but I know the new company is solid and poised for growth,” Akerhielm wrote in the first letter to employees.

NuVox COO Jack Norris will join Windstream as senior vice president of service delivery and operations, said Windstream COO Brent Whittington. Norris will be the senior executive based in Greenville, Whittington said.

Previous coverage
NuVox sold to Arkansas firm

NuVox employs about 700 people in the Upstate and has a visible headquarters building on Main Street in downtown Greenville.

“We will have significant space in downtown Greenville for a significant amount of time. How much will we need going forward, I don’t know,” Whittington said.

Much of NuVox’s IT and customer service departments will remain in place, though some administrative functions in Greenville, like accounting and human resources, could be lost, Whittington said.

“What that will mean for the ultimate headcount in Greenville, I don’t know right now,” he said.

NuVox has 48 locations in 16 contiguous Southeastern and Midwestern states. In South Carolina, NuVox has offices in Greenville, Charleston and Columbia. The company offers advanced IP-based voice and data services to approximately 90,000 business customers. Right now, it is a privately held company. Investors include MC Venture Partners, Columbia Capital, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Wachovia Capital Partners.

Windstream is an S&P 500 company that provides phone, high-speed Internet and high-definition digital television services to customers in 16 states. Windstream, which is a spinoff of Alltel and Valor Communications Group, reports annual revenues of around $3 billion.