Qwest CFO joins the exec exodus
By Kimberly S. Johnson
Denver Post
Sunday, April 6, 2008

The resignation of Qwest chief financial officer John Richardson adds to a growing list of executives who have left the company since chief executive Ed Mueller took over last August.

"The company and John came to a mutual agreement," said Qwest spokeswoman Diane Reberger.

Richardson, 63, said Friday that he would leave when a successor is found.  He joined Qwest in 2003 as controller, and he became CFO last year.  Before joining Qwest, Richardson spent 35 years at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

Qwest has lost other senior executives in the past year.  Barry Allen, head of operations, retired in June, and Gary Lytle, senior vice president of federal relations, left in July.  Laura Sankey, executive vice president who oversaw marketing and communications, left in September.

Mueller said in a written statement that Richardson left the company on "sound footing."

Several analysts said they weren't surprised to learn of Richardson's departure.

"I think that it's natural that Mueller would want his own CFO," said Janco Partners analyst Donna Jaegers.

Kimberly S. Johnson:  303-954-1088 or kjohnson@denverpost.com

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_8818201