Notebaert retires from Qwest

Richard Notebaert announced his retirement as chairman and CEO of Qwest Communications International Inc., pending the company’s selection of a successor.
The company has not set a timetable for naming a new chairman and CEO, but said that a formal search is underway. Qwest said it plans no changes in operations or strategy as a result of Notebaert’s announcement.
“I am extremely proud of our accomplishments during the past five years and have full confidence in the leadership at Qwest,” Notebaert said. “The time has come for me to spend more time with family and focus on other commitments. I will leave the company only when the board has selected a leader who shares our vision and will continue to guide Qwest’s solid performance and reputation as a leading national communications provider with a very bright future. I look forward to working closely with the Qwest board in its search.”
Frank Popoff, lead director on the Qwest board, said that Notebaert’s leadership “has exceeded all expectations. He will leave the company well positioned for future growth and truly will be missed.”
Notebaert, 59, served as chairman and CEO of Qwest since mid-2002 and led the company to its first year of operational profitability in 2006. Prior to his time at Qwest, he was president and CEO of Tellabs and had a 30-year career with Ameritech Corp., holding a variety of positions including serving as the company’s chairman and CEO.
On the wireless side of things, Notebaert oversaw the evolution of Qwest into a mobile virtual network operator, running services over Sprint Nextel Corp.’s network.