Jeff Gardner, Arkansas Business CFO of the Year Awards

Commerce Arkansas is hopping. Arkansas Business named its three CFOs of the year; Windstream CEO Jeff Gardner provided the luncheon keynote address, and several hundred Arkansas business leaders are perusing the exhibits and networking pavilions at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock.

CFO of the Year winners are Adam Kohler of Welsco (small private business), Greg Williams of Nabholz Construction (large private company), and Stephanie Smith of Easter Seals (non-profit).

Windstream announced this morning a deal to acquire NuVox, which jibes nicely with Gardner’s appearance. Gardner said Windstream is now focusing its business plan on business and broadband customers, and the NuVox deal that will expand its presence in the Southeast and introduce it to the Midwest is a great strategic fit.

Gardner told attendees that after the deal, Windstream revenue will exceed $4 billion.

Interestingly, in response to a question from a member of the audience, Gardner noted the three areas that his firm usually looks to when it comes to new hires: engineering, marketing and finance. He said marketing and sales represent an increasingly important and large segment of the company.

Check back later for more…and follow us on Twitter. Apparently, we’re back in the bird’s good graces…

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