Level 3 CEO to succeed CenturyLink CEO after merger

BROOMFIELD — Level 3 Communications Inc. and CenturyLink Inc. have announced a succession plan for the CEO of the combined companies after finalization of their merger.

Glen F. Post, CEO of CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL), will remain CEO until Jan. 1, 2019. Then he will become executive chairman.

Jeff Storey, president and CEO of Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT), will join CenturyLink as president and chief operating officer.

Storey will succeed Post as CEO of CenturyLink on Jan. 1, 2019.

The companies’ merger is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2017.

“Jeff has been an excellent leader for Level 3 and shares our excitement about the future of our business and the importance of world-class customer experience to our success,” Post said in a prepared statement. “Just as important, Jeff shares my focus on continuing to invest in our network, products and services to meet our customers’ needs. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Jeff to shape the future of the combined company.”

The companies previously announced who would make up the executive team for the combined entity. Sunit Patel, who was at Level 3, will be the chief financial officer at the combined company. Patel, along with Stacey Goff and Scott Trezise from CenturyLink, will directly report to the CEO.

Jensen Werley