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

The executives who helped NuVox Inc. become a multimillion-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 in November announced its intent to acquire Greenville-based NuVox for $643 million, expects the transaction to close in early February.

Those departing include:

• Jim Akerhielm, CEO.
• David Solomon, chairman and CFO.
• Mike Gallagher, strategic markets president.
• Paul Pitts, executive vice president of operations and customer service.
• Matt Blocha, executive vice president of service delivery and IT development.
• Riley Murphy, general counsel and secretary.

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 remain with Windstream as senior vice president of service delivery and operations, according to Windstream COO Brent Whittington. Norris will be the senior executive based in Greenville, Whittington said.

Previous coverage

• NuVox Inc. sold to Arkansas company

NuVox employs about 700 people in the Upstate and has a highly 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, such as 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 TV services to customers in 16 states. (Follow link and click Coverage to see map). The company, which is a spin-off of Alltel and Valor Communications Group, reports annual revenues of about $3 billion.

Windstream’s acquisition of NuVox still requires approval from Windstream’s shareholders and the SEC.