HERNDON, Va. -- XO Communications, a leading nationwide provider of IP and data solutions, announced today that Christopher Ancell has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer. Ancell will join the company effective December 2, 2013. Ancell is an accomplished leader with an impressive track record in the communications industry. His background will be key to advancing XO's expertise in managing high-capacity, dynamic network services, as telecommunications and information technology converge in the marketplace.

Ancell joins XO Communications after a career encompassing nearly 30 years of operational and sales leadership in the communications and technology services industries. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of sales and sales engineering for CoreSite Realty Corporation. Prior to CoreSite, Ancell spent 12 years in a variety of leadership roles at both CenturyLink and Qwest, including president of CenturyLink's business markets organization and executive vice president of Qwest's business markets organization.

Ancell has also held management positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers and with Oracle's Telecommunications Consulting Practice. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Denver.Current Chief Executive Officer Laura W. Thomas will remain with the company and assume the role of Chief Financial Officer, a position she previously held at XO.

XO Communications Inc.