Windstream President and CEO Tony Thomas today announced that Buddy Bayer has been named to lead a newly combined Enterprise and Wholesale organization, effective immediately. Bayer, who joined the company in 2014, has been serving as chief network officer and president of Windstream Wholesale.

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Buddy Bayer, president of Windstream Enterprise and Wholesale (Photo: Business Wire)

In his new role as president of the Enterprise and Wholesale Business Unit, Bayer will be responsible for sales and marketing, service delivery, customer care, service assurance, and access as well as the Channel Program for the Enterprise business unit. Bayer will continue to oversee Windstream Wholesale sales and operations as well as network engineering and field operations in markets where Windstream is a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC).

“Buddy is an accomplished leader with whom I have worked closely for many years,” Thomas said. “He has a deep understanding of our network, products and people. Under his leadership, the Windstream Wholesale team has achieved record sales and driven significant improvements in technology and operations. Buddy will bring that same focus and energy to Windstream Enterprise.”

“I’m excited for this opportunity to lead an outstanding team of professionals who are unrivaled in the industry,” Bayer said. “Across both the Enterprise and Wholesale organizations, we remain focused on delivering leading-edge products and services that meet the evolving needs of our customers as the market accelerates its digital transformation.”

Bayer came to Windstream from CenturyLink (now Lumen), where he was director of transport planning and engineering. He had previously held a variety of management and engineering positions with OnFiber Communications and MCIWorldCom. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

Bayer succeeds Layne Levine as president of Windstream Enterprise. Levine joined the company in 2017.

“I want to thank Layne for his leadership over the past five years,” Thomas said. “During his tenure, Windstream Enterprise saw dramatic growth in our strategic product sets, including SD-WAN and OfficeSuite UC®, and enhanced our sales and marketing operations. I wish Layne all the best in his future endeavors.”

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings is a privately held Fortune® 1000 communications and software company. Windstream offers managed communications services, including SD-WAN and UCaaS, and high-capacity bandwidth and transport services to businesses across the U.S. The company also provides premium broadband, entertainment and security services through an enhanced fiber network to consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamenterprise.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.

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