WIND Mobile announces leadership changes with new CEO and Board of Directors appointments

TORONTO, March 23, 2015 /CNW/ - WIND Mobile is pleased to announce the appointment of Alek Krstajic as its new Chief Executive Officer, along with prominent new additions to the WIND Mobile Board of Directors. 

"We are very happy to welcome Alek as our new CEO. His strong operating history will further strengthen WIND as the company solidifies its place in the Canadian wireless landscape," said Anthony Lacavera, Founder of WIND Mobile. "Since 2008 we have worked relentlessly to bring true competition to the Canadian wireless industry. Now, with new leadership and well over 800,000 happy customers, we begin an exciting new growth phase."

Alek Krstajic was Founder and CEO of Public Mobile, which was purchased by Telus in 2013.  Prior to that, Alek was President of Bell Mobility, and Senior Vice President at Rogers Cable.  "I'm very excited to join WIND and to work with the executive team and board to establish WIND Mobile as the most customer-oriented wireless provider in Canada," said Krstajic.

Pietro Cordova, outgoing interim CEO, has completed his work as WIND Mobile has transitioned away from the Vimpelcom group. He will now return to Vimpelcom to take on his next project within the Group.  "I would like to thank Pietro for his great contribution to WIND over the past three years. He has brought a steady and consistent hand to WIND, helping the company to continue growing during the very difficult period of the protracted Vimpelcom exit from its investment," said Lacavera. 

Joining the WIND Mobile board of directors are Rob MacLellan, Non-Executive Chairman of Northleaf Capital Partners, who will also be appointed Chairman of the WIND board. Founder Anthony Lacavera transitions to Honorary Chairman, where he will continue to play an active role in the company. David R. Carey, Executive Vice President, Corporate Services of T-Mobile U.S., and Hamid Akhavan, Principal, Telecom Ventures LLC, have also been elected to WIND Mobile's board of directors. 

"The addition of such huge talents to WIND Mobile's leadership team and board of directors further reinforces our position within the Canadian telecom landscape," said Lacavera. "This group brings with it a wealth of expertise, robust experience and strong knowledge in their respective industries and will prove to be extremely valuable to WIND Mobile as we continue to grow our presence in Canada."

Rob MacLellan, named as one of Canada's most influential investment executives by Globe Investor in 2008, has been the Chair of Northleaf Capital Partners since its formation in November 2009.  Prior to that he was the Chief Investment Officer of the Toronto Dominion Bank Financial Group.  Mr. MacLellan is also the Chair of Yellow Pages Inc and is a member of the Board of Directors of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

David Carey brings over 35 years of leadership experience in the telecommunications industry to the board of Wind Mobile, having held leadership positions at AT&T, LG&E Energy services, Frontier Communications, and Global Crossing.  In 2013, Mr. Carey joined T-Mobile USA as Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services at T-Mobile USA, responsible for leading the enterprise program office, corporate communications, corporate real estate, corporate responsibility and the CEO staff at T-Mobile U.S. 

Hamid Akhavan has had a 25 year career in the telecommunications industry.  Mr. Akhavan was the CTO of T-Mobile from 2001 – 2006, and was subsequently CEO of T-Mobile from 2006 – 2009.  In 2010 Mr. Akhavan took the role of Chief Operating Officer of Deutsche Telekom, and from 2006 – 2010 also served on the board of directors of Deutsche Telekom.  Before joining Telecom Ventures LLC as Principal in 2014, Mr. Akhavan was CEO of Unify Inc. (formerly Siemens Enterprise Communications) from 2010 – 2014.

About WIND Mobile
WIND Mobile is dedicated to improving the Canadian wireless experience by offering customers simple and transparent plans, including real unlimited data/voice/text with no-term contracts and no hidden fees. Committed to be the country's fourth national carrier, WIND has more than 800,000 happy customers in Canada. Learn more about WIND Mobile at WINDmobile.ca or follow online at facebook.com/WINDmobile or twitter.com/WINDmobile.

SOURCE WIND Mobile

Veritas Communications, Amanda Gun-Munro, 416-482-0814, [email protected]