Wilderotter to Step Down as Frontier Chairman

Frontier Communications said executive chairman Maggie Wilderotter will step down in April after more than a decade at the telecom company, succeeded by Pamela Reeve, a telecom veteran and long-time board member.

Wilderotter joined Frontier in 2004. The move is not unexpected -- in March she relinquished the CEO title to Dan McCarthy. Reeve joined the Frontier's Board in 2010 and currently serves as Lead Director. During her 15 years at Lightbridge Inc., a mobile business software and technology solutions provider, Reeve held executive positions including president and chief executive officer. She currently serves as a director on the boards of Sonus Networks, Inc. and American Tower Corporation, where she is also lead director.

"Pam's strong leadership skills, extensive background in telecommunications and technology, as well as her tenure on Frontier's board, make her the right choice to serve as Frontier's new Chairman," Wilderotter, known in cable circles for past stints at Wink Communications and Microsoft, said in a statement. "With our transformative Verizon acquisition solidly on track, the board is comfortable moving forward as planned with an independent chairman of the board in 2016."

Frontier agreed to buy Verizon FiOS systems in California, Florida and Texas in February for $10.5 billion. That deal is expected to close in the first half of this year.