Integra Telecom announced a leadership change yesterday, bringing in Robert Guth as interim CEO and President. Guth will hold down the position while the company looks for a more permanent replacement.
He’ll take over from Kevin O’Hara, who had led the company for most of the past three years as it transitioned to a more fiber-heavy, larger customer business model. That process has seen margins on the rise, but with counterbalancing trends on overall revenue. No reason for his departure was given, but I imagine we will see him resurface again soon elsewhere in the fiber world.
O’Hara’s departure could also signal a shift in focus for the western regional network operator, possibly even toward looking toward consolidation. A combination of Integra’s assets with a network operator in search of more western infrastructure like Windstream has been the subject of past speculation. Windstream’s network REIT plans could re-invigorate their buying power when it comes to network assets.
Guth has been on Integra board of directors already, and incidentally acts as chairman another regional network operator (Lumos Networks) and serves on the board of Otelco as well.
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Categories: Fiber Networks · Jobs · Metro fiber
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Does an abrupt CEO departure, at least publically,indicate anything generally ? Example is this a compnay that flat to down revenue growth and CEO must go, or is this a situation where Sale is imminant, CEO wants no part of Transition so leaves with interim in place ( not sure why you would leave when a payday might be coming). Simply KOH has a short vision for his time at Integra an dit was time and nothing can be read into this departure. Just seems when CEO leaves there are underlying questions that make it curios
Probably has to do with constant internal restructure of Integra’s organization and the declining customer retention. Perhaps he didn’t want to clean up the big mess they have created for themselves?
Pretty sure flat to declining revenue is a factor.
Sales leaders departing within the past year:
EVP Sales
VP Enterprise Sales
VP Carrier Sales
VP Channel Sales
VP Sales Support
Director Wholesale Sales
Director Government Sales
Director Enterprise Sales
Director Channel Sales
(wash rinse repeat for regional roles)
Under O’Hara’s tenure: debt was restructured, a brand overhaul was attempted, strategic direction changed on products and target markets, headquarters moved to cheaper real estate, and lots of other turd-polishing occurred, but at best he managed to make Integra’s drain-circling appear more interesting.
Only question now is if potential suitors for the fiber network swoop in before or after the inevitable BK.
You must work there LOL
How about this for a conspiracy theory……..
He exits Integra in order to take the helm at the “public” Zayo….
The helm? No.
Wishful thinking
Okay, how about first mate then? Dan would have to smile inside on that one a bit?
There’s not enough room in that spotlight