LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Oct. 1, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windstream (Nasdaq:WIN) today announced that Bob Gunderman has been named interim chief financial officer. Gunderman succeeds Tony Thomas, who has been named president of the real estate investment trust (REIT) to be created by the spinoff of certain Windstream telecommunications assets.

"I have worked with Bob for many years, and I value his leadership and counsel," said Jeff Gardner, president and CEO of Windstream. "We have a deep and very talented finance organization. I appreciate Bob's willingness to assume these duties in addition to his treasurer role so that Tony can devote his full attention to the formation of the REIT."

Gunderman is senior vice president and treasurer for Windstream. He is responsible for all capital budgeting, forecasting, treasury and capital market functions, debt management, investor relations and risk management. He previously served as vice president of financial planning for Windstream.

Gunderman was vice president of internal audit for Alltel prior to joining Windstream in 2008. He served in various management roles at Alltel including vice president of revenue accounting and revenue assurance, director of financial planning and director of mergers and acquisitions. He was a senior accountant with Deloitte and Touche LLP before entering the communications industry in 1996.

Windstream announced on July 29 plans to spin off certain telecommunications network assets into an independent, publicly traded REIT. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015. Thomas will leave Windstream upon close of the transaction and be chief executive officer of the REIT. Windstream is conducting a national search to fill the CFO position.

About Windstream

Windstream (Nasdaq:WIN), a FORTUNE 500 and S&P 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. For more information, visit www.windstream.com.

CONTACT: Investor Relations Contact:
         Mary Michaels, 501-748-7578
         mary.michaels@windstream.com
         
         Media Contact:
         David Avery, 501-748-5876
         david.avery@windstream.com