Jeffery R. Gardner
Jeffery R. Gardner, was the president and chief executive officer of Windstream Corp., an S&P 500 communications and technology company with operations in 29 states and about $4 billion in annual revenue. Gardner has worked in the telecommunications industry for more than 25 years and is executing a focused strategy to transform Windstream and create value for shareholders. Windstream has completed eight acquisitions since its 2006 spinoff from Alltel Corp., adding more than $2 billion in revenue and creating approximately $200 million in operating and capital synergies. The company completed four acquisitions in 2010 alone totaling $2.2 billion.
Gardner was appointed to the position in December 2005. He previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Alltel Corp. He joined Alltel in 1998 when the company merged with 360° Communications. On December 11, 2014 Jeffery R. Gardner resigned off from his position as CEO of Windstream.
Gardner earned a degree in finance from Purdue University and an MBA from The College of William & Mary. He is a certified public accountant. He serves on the board of directors of RF Micro Devices, Inc., Arkansas Children's Hospital, Darlington School, the Arkansas Research Alliance and is chairman of the advisory board for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Center for Distance Health. Gardner was named a national finalist for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year 2010® Award in telecommunications.