Windstream 2014 Annual Report Download - page 23

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Michael G. Stoltz, age 64, has served as a director of Windstream since September 2014. Mr. Stoltz currently
serves as a member of the Audit Committee. He was an audit partner of Ernst & Young LLP (E&Y) from 2002 to
2014, primarily focusing on the communications, media and entertainment industries. He led E&Y’s Communications
Advisory Services Group from 2002 until mid-2004, which focused on providing advisory services to communications
companies. Prior to joining E&Y, Mr. Stoltz was a partner with Arthur Andersen where he provided audit, finance
and specialize project services to clients in the energy, governmental and telecommunications sectors.
Mr. Stoltz’s qualifications for election to the Board include his approximately 40 years of experience serving
in an auditor capacity in the telecommunications, media and entertainment industries, with a focus on large global
companies. His broad prior experience as the former audit partner for publicly-traded communications companies
uniquely qualifies Mr. Stoltz to advise not only on general financial and accounting matters, but also various
technical accounting and corporate governance matters that the Board may address from time to time. He possesses
key insight on financial reporting processes and external reporting issues. The Windstream Board has determined
that Mr. Stoltz qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert”, as defined by the rules of the SEC. Mr. Stoltz’s
lengthy involvement with telecommunications companies provide him with valuable expertise regarding issues
facing Windstream and the complex regulatory environment in which the company operates.
Anthony W. Thomas, age 43, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Windstream and
to the Board of Directors on December 11, 2014. He previously held the following positions at Windstream prior to
being appointed President and CEO: President-REIT Operations from September to December 2014; Chief Financial
Officer (CFO) from August 2009 to September 2014; Treasurer from May 2012 to August 2013; and Controller from
July 2006 to August 2009. Mr. Thomas also served as Controller of Alltel Holding Corp. from June 2006 to July 2006,
and held various other leadership positions with Alltel Corporation from 1998 to 2006, including Vice President of
Investor Relations and Vice President of Southeast Regional Finance. Mr. Thomas joined Alltel Corporation after its
merger with 360 Communications in 1998. Prior to entering the communications industry, Mr. Thomas was a senior
auditor with E&Y focusing on the telecom practice.
The Board believes it is important for Windstream’s CEO to serve on the Board, as the position of CEO
puts Mr. Thomas in a unique position to understand the challenges and issues facing Windstream. Mr. Thomas’s
qualifications for election to the Board include the same demonstrated skills and experience that qualify him to serve
as CEO of Windstream. Mr. Thomas has worked in the communications industry for more than 20 years and has
been instrumental in executing Windstream’s strategy to transform into the premier enterprise communications and
service provider in the United States and to create value for its stockholders. Mr. Thomas has served as a key leader
and driving force in the development of strategy regarding Windstream’s proposed spin-off of CS&L. Mr. Thomas has
also played an integral role in Windstream’s growth, as during his five-year tenure as CFO, the company completed
seven acquisitions totaling more than $5.6 billion in transaction value. Mr. Thomas has deep capital market expertise,
having led almost $10 billion in debt transactions, as CFO and Treasurer of Windstream. Mr. Thomas’s knowledge of
the company and his experience as a company leader since its spin-off from Alltel Corporation in 2006 provide him
with a wide-ranging perspective regarding Windstream’s opportunities and challenges and qualify him to serve as
both CEO and as a director on the Board.
Alan L. Wells, age 55, has served as a director of Windstream since 2010. He is a founding partner of Financial
Advisory Partners, LLC, which makes private equity investments and provides financial advisory services to
mid-sized companies in the Midwest. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Iowa Telecommunication Services,
Inc. (“Iowa Telecom”) (NYSE: IWA) from 2002 to 2010 and Chairman of its board of directors from 2004 to 2010.
He joined Iowa Telecom in 1999 as President and Chief Operating Officer, and was appointed to the role of President
and Chief Executive Officer in 2002. Prior to joining Iowa Telecom, Mr. Wells was Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer at MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (MidAmerican) (NYSE: MEC), a Des Moines,
Iowa-based electric and gas utility holding company, from 1997 until 1999. During the same period, Mr. Wells also
served as President of MidAmerican’s non-regulated businesses. Mr. Wells held various executive and management
positions with MidAmerican, its subsidiaries, and Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric, one of its predecessors, from 1993
through 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Wells was with Deloitte Consulting (previously Deloitte & Touche Consulting) and
previously held various positions with the Public Utility Commission of Texas and Illinois Power Company.