Tom Gerke is new CEO of Embarq

Telephone service provider Embarq Corp on Monday named Tom Gerke as chief executive after Gerke served as interim CEO since Dec. 18 when Dan Hesse left to head Sprint Nextel.

Photo: Tom Gerke is new CEO of Embarq

Tom Gerke is new CEO of Embarq

Gerke has also joined the Embarq board of directors, the company said.

"The EMBARQ Board of Directors conducted a thorough and comprehensive search. There were several strong external candidates and Tom Gerke was always a principal candidate for the position," said Bill Owens, EMBARQ's chairman of the board. "We were especially impressed with Tom's vision,
leadership and professionalism. With his depth and knowledge of the telecommunications industry and his understanding of EMBARQ as a company, he has earned the total confidence of the board. Tom emerged as our clear choice."

In his career as an executive in the telecommunications industry, Gerke gained broad experience spanning general management, business development and strategic alliances, in addition to his responsibilities for the legal, regulatory and external affairs functions. Gerke has spent 13 years of his 22-year professional career in the telecommunications industry. In January 2007, he assumed responsibility for EMBARQ's Wholesale Markets business unit, while continuing to lead the company's legal, regulatory and external affairs functions. Before joining EMBARQ, in connection with its spin-off from Sprint Nextel, he held a variety of leadership roles at Sprint Nextel, including executive vice president and general counsel. Gerke holds a Master's of Business Administration degree from Rockhurst University in Kansas City and a law degree from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Rockhurst University and as a Commissioner on the Local Investment Commission (LINC) of Kansas City.

Embarq Corporation headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, offers a complete suite of communications services. The company has approximately 18,000 employees and operates in 18 states.

For consumers, EMBARQ offers an innovative portfolio of services that includes reliable local and long distance home phone service, high-speed Internet, wireless, and satellite TV from DISH Network(R) -- all on one monthly bill.

For businesses, EMBARQ has a comprehensive range of flexible and integrated services designed to help businesses of all sizes be more productive and communicate with their customers. This service portfolio
includes local voice and data services, long distance, Business Class High Speed Internet, wireless, satellite TV from DIRECTV(R), enhanced data network services, voice and data communication equipment and managed network services.