By Khali Henderson

Craig Schlagbaum, vice president of indirect channels for Level 3 Communications Inc., has resigned his post as the carriers channel chief effective Sept. 15, PHONE+ confirmed.

Following up on rumors, PHONE+ contact Schlagbaum who told PHONE+ he wanted to pursue some new career challenges and demonstrate success in a new arena.”

Level 3 declined to comment on the departure of its channel leader nor plans to replace him.

Schlagbaums resignation comes about a month after a shakeup in Level 3s North American sales structure that resulted in the combination of several business units, including the Business Markets Group where the channel program was housed. Schlagbaums boss, BMG President Jeff Tench, was let go in the transition. Schlagbaum then reported to Andrew Crouch, who was promoted from running the Wholesale Markets Group to president of sales for Level 3.

Schlagbaum was named channel chief in August 2007, after serving for three years as vice president of national partner sales. He lead the channel through Level 3s post-acquisition period  when back-office integration issues were a common partner complaint to build a solid” program.

At Level 3, Craig has built an indirect program that is a leader among his peers,” said Jack Knocke, COO for master agency MicroCorp. Craig has been a star in the indirect community as a thought leader as well as an implementer. What he has done to turn Level 3’s program into a solid producer is phenomenal. Level 3 has big shoes to fill.”

I truly enjoyed my six-and-a-half years at Level 3 and it was very rewarding,” Schlagbaum said. I was fortunate to have a great team that helped me take the program to the level of success that it is at today. I am sure they will continue to do very well with the channel and I know all the partners support Level 3 and the program overall.”

Schlagbaum told PHONE+ he planned to take some time off and hoped to be working in the channel in the future.