Windstream Names Gunderman REIT CEO

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Windstream (Nasdaq:WIN) has named Kenny Gunderman, president and chief executive officer of the company's planned real estate investment trust (REIT) spinoff, Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc. (CS&L). Gunderman currently serves as executive vice president and co-head of investment banking for Stephens, Inc. The appointment is effective March 2.

Gunderman, 44, joined Stephens Inc. in 2006 as a senior telecom banker. In February 2007, he was named co-head of investment banking, and his responsibilities were expanded to include strategic direction for the investment banking department. Since joining Stephens, he has advised on many of the firm's recent notable investment banking transactions. His experience since joining Stephens includes substantial public and private company advisory and financings.

Prior to joining Stephens, Gunderman was a member of the telecom investment banking group at Lehman Brothers, where he advised on various transactions and financings totaling more than $125 billion. He previously worked at KPMG as a CPA and holds an MBA from Yale and a bachelor of arts degree from Hendrix College.

Windstream Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: WIN)