Qwest Arizona President stepping down

Qwest Arizona president Pat Quinn is stepping down after a career that spans more than three decades with the Bell system. Quinn, who is in Denver where Qwest Communications International Inc. is headquartered, will relinquish duties to replacement Jim Campbell on July 1.

Quinn is considered one of the state’s most influential people, running Arizona’s largest telecommunications company. Often vilified for running a segment of the country’s three last telecommunications monopolies, Quinn was well respected amongst his peers and the community. Before announcing his decision, Quinn notified Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, Arizona Speaker of the House Jim Weiers and a host of other state and local officials, sources close to Qwest said.

Despite sitting in his lofty perch as president, Quinn was also well-known amongst the community. He was one of the first Little League coaches to field a team in Ahwatukee, where he, his wife and four sons have lived since 1990. He has also spearheaded numerous educational and community initiatives through the Qwest Foundation.

Quinn released the following statement:
“The Qwest family I am leaving behind is in extraordinarily capable hands with Jim Campbell, whom I have worked with and admired for that past several years. Our Arizona employees have accomplished great things together, making Arizona a better place through our Spirit of Service and our dedication to the communities we serve. I know Jim will continue those principles with enthusiasm and energy and in that endeavor, I wish him — and the team I love and bid farewell to — all good things in the years ahead.”

Quinn started his career with Northwestern Bell in 1977, working in the finance unit. He came to Arizona in 1990, serving as the Regional Executive Director in Public Policy, Policy and Law. From 1999 to 2002 moved to Qwest’s headquarters in Denver to become vice president of policy and law where he helped devise and implement corporate policy and strategy in the United States.

He likens himself to being a teacher and is well-known for explaining the often-difficult history and technology behind the telecommunications industry. Despite being registered as a Democrat, Quinn has worked on non-partisan issues relating to the state and the industry. Quinn will also represent Qwest at the Republican and Democratic conventions, which will be held in cities that Qwest serves.

The timing of Quinn’s departure will no doubt fuel speculation that he is being forced out. The company has been in a fight for residential telephone users with Cox Communications Arizona, which has taken the lion share of customers from Qwest. Despite Arizona’s population increasing 23 percent since 2000, Qwest’s state customer base has fallen by 38 percent.

Despite being at odds with state regulators at the Arizona Corporation Commission, Quinn has earned the respect of regulators, especially while facing competitors bringing in new technology that make some components of the telecommunications industry obsolete.

“It’s been a troubling decade for Qwest,” said Jeff Hatch-Miller, ACC commissioner. “Pat has done a very good job of steering Qwest in Arizona through these troubling times. I wish him the best.”

Qwest will also learn the fate of a request in front of the Federal Communications Commission sometime in July. The company is asking to be relieved from certain tenants of the 1996 Telecommunications Act in the Phoenix metropolitan area. If granted, Qwest would no longer be regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission on rates it charges competitors to use its existing wired infrastructure.

While Quinn has been very active in the forbearance request hearings, he has a minimal role in the proceedings. The request with the FCC involves Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Seattle.

Campbell has a long history in telecommunications law, something that will come in handy as Qwest ventures further towards deregulation. He comes from the Campbell, Killin, Brittan & Ray law firm, where he has held the position of managing partner since 2001. Campbell has worked with Qwest in the past, representing the company in numerous legal and regulatory issues.

“Jim’s wide-ranging expertise and extensive experience in the communications industry will help establish a seamless transition in one of our most competitive markets,” said Steve Davis, Qwest senior vice president of public policy.

Ty Young can be reached at ty@aztechnews.net