Qwest names Mueller to succeed Notebaert

Qwest Communications International Inc. named Edward Mueller its new chief executive officer. Mueller is a veteran of the telecom industry and former CEO of Williams-Sonoma.
Qwest’s current CEO Richard Notebaert, who oversaw the company’s path to its first year of operational profitability in 2006, as well as its evolution to providing wireless service via a mobile virtual network operator agreement with Sprint Nextel Corp., will step down Wednesday, according to the company. Notebaert announced his retirement in June, pending the selection of a successor.
Mueller’s experience in telecom includes 34 years in the industry and stints in the president and/or CEO roles at Ameritech, SBC International Operations and Pacific Bell. After leaving Ameritech, Mueller took over as CEO of retailer Williams-Sonoma in 2003.
“Ed is a proven leader with a broad background of communications and retail experience,” said Notebaert, who added that Mueller was his “top recommendation” to Qwest’s board of directors. “We are most fortunate to have him join Qwest at a time when his proven leadership skills are well suited to meet the challenges of a highly competitive industry in a rapidly changing consumer and business marketplace.”
Mueller serves on the boards of directors for VeriSign Inc., The Clorox Company and GSC Acquisition Co.
According to documents Qwest filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mueller’s employment agreement has an initial term of three years with one-year renewals after that. Mueller will receive an annual base salary of $1.2 million and a minimum bonus of $947,000 for 2007, as well as stock options.