By Khali Henderson

Windstream Corp. has promoted John Leach to executive vice president of business sales. Leach has led the companys sales and sales support organizations as a senior vice president since September 2009.

Leach runs direct, channel, carrier and field service and support organizations as well as sales engineering. He told Channel Partners his oversight of indirect channels has not changed as a result of the promotion. Dan Sterling, vice president of indirect sales, continues to report to Leach.

Through Johns leadership, our business sales organization has undergone tremendous change over the past year, and the results have been nothing short of outstanding,” said Windstream COO Brent Whittington. Additionally, our business channel is better positioned today through our recent acquisitions and operational focus to go after new sales opportunities and further improve the top-line revenue trends of the company.” 

Leach declined to comment on channel growth stats until after the company releases its fourth quarter and 2010 numbers on Thursday.

Leach previously served as South region president for PAETEC Communications. Prior to joining PAETEC in 2007, he was president and CEO of Covista Communications. He also has worked for BellSouth, BTI Communications and Telco Communications Group.

Leach earned a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. He serves on the board of directors of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.