Windstream Cutting 280 Jobs

Now that its acquisition of New York-based PAETEC Holding Corp. is complete, Windstream Corp. on Thursday revealed plans to cut 280 jobs over the next 120 days.

Fifty-two of those positions will be in Rochester, N.Y., in the areas of accounting, human resources and marketing. Windstream said it will provide severance benefits to eligible employees as well as outplacement services, and those employees impacted can apply for other open positions with the company.  

David Avery, a Windstream spokesman, said it is likely other positions will be affected next year as the company integrates PAETEC’s operations.

Little Rock, Ark.-based Windstream said it has roughly 950 employees in Rochester and about 14,500 overall.

“This reorganization follows a detailed review of overall functions at PAETEC as part of our integration planning to identify redundancies in corporate staff positions and leverage existing workgroups within Windstream,” said Joe Marano, senior vice president of business and financial services, in a statement Thursday. “We remain committed to maintaining a large presence long term in Rochester, including a new office location in Midtown.”

Several executives from PAETEC’s management joined Windstream, although PAETEC CEO Arunas Chesonis and CFO Keith Wilson were not among them.

Some PAETEC execs who have joined Windstream include the following individuals whose new roles are outlined: Doug Derstine, president of equipment services; Bob Moore, senior vice president of applications and development; Todd Lechtenberg, vice president of transport engineering; Kevin Errity, east region president – business sales; Jeff Howe, central region president – business sales; and Sean Baillie, senior vice president of national and strategic accounts.