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Avaya Promotes Executives, Names New CEO and Chief Operating Officer
[July 25, 2006]

Avaya Promotes Executives, Names New CEO and Chief Operating Officer


TMCnet Associate Editor
 
IP communications specialist Avaya (News - Alert) announced Monday the appointment of a new President and Chief Executive Officer, and a new Chief Operating Office.


 
CEO

 
Louis J. D’Ambrosio takes on the role of President and CEO after holding previous leadership positions at Avaya, most recently Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing.
 
Philip Odeen, Avaya's lead director, commented in a statement that “Lou has led a set of initiatives to establish Avaya's market share leadership position in IP telephony. He has driven a customer centricity throughout the company and injected a software and services strategic thinking into Avaya's direction.”
 
D’Ambrosio takes the place of Donald Peterson, who is stepping down as President and CEO but will remain as Chairman of the Board through the end of September.
 
D’Ambrosio joined Avaya in 2002. Prior to that, he worked at IBM for 16 years where he held various leadership roles in that company’s Global Services, Software, and Sales & Marketing departments. He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University where he graduated summa cum laude.
 
COO
 
Michael Thurk, who previously held the position of President of Global Communications Solutions at Avaya, was named COO.
 
Thurk is a veteran of the telecommunications industry, with more than 30 years of experience. He joined Avaya’s executive team four years ago.
 
Prior to Avaya, Thurk held positions at Ericsson, Xyplex Networks, General DataComm, Digital Equipment, and GTE. He holds a B.S. in computer science from Purdue University, an M.B.A. from Babson College, and also is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD in France.
 
“Mike has a record of developing cutting edge communication technology, dramatically improving the profitability of the products business and achieving leadership market positions,” Odeen said of Thurk.

Mae Kowalke previously wrote for Cleveland Magazine in Ohio and The Burlington Free Press in Vermont. To see more of her articles, please visit Mae Kowalke’s columnist page.

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