Windstream, the Arkansas-based company that employs more than 650 people in Rochester, is announcing a change in leadership. On Thursday night, the company announced that Tony Thomas has been named president and CEO effective immediately. He replaces Jeff Gardner, who has led the company since it was created in 2006.
Thomas has served as Windstream's chief financial officer over the past eight years and most recently as the company's president of real estate investment trust operations.
Gardner issued a statement saying that both he and the board of directors agree that a change in perspective is needed in order to accelerate the pace of change within the company and to more effectively respond to the rapidly evolving needs of Windstream customers.
Gardner will stay on as an advisor to the CEO and a member of the board through February 1.
Windstream announced last month that it was cutting about three percent of its workforce nationwide to operate more efficiently. About 10 jobs in Rochester were affected.
