Sprint is adjusting its top ranks in an effort to streamline its management structure, according to an internal memo obtained by Fierce Wireless.
A number of executives are departing the company, including COO Günther Ottendorfer, who’s been behind a lot of Sprint’s network advancements. Ottendorfer framed the departure as a chance to return to his family in his home county of Austria.
Other departures include Jeff Nelson and Jim Hyde. A handful of executives have been promoted, including Dow Draper, who is now the chief commercial officer, and Kevin Crull, who is now the chief strategy officer.
Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure has reduced the number of executives who report directly to him from 16 to nine, including Draper, Crull, COO Nestor Cano, President of Sprint Jan Geldmacher, and CTO John Saw.
In addition to the management changes, Claure outlined plans to reimagine its corporate offices in a way that promotes teamwork. Claure and select executives are relocating to a new space on the Sprint campus to test the changes, which will be rolled out across Sprint offices nationwide if they function as hoped.
“As we start this new chapter, we’re building an organization that is flatter, faster and closer than ever to our customers,” said Claure to Sprint employees. “At the same time, we’re creating an environment where partners can collaborate more easily and are empowered to make the decisions that will enable Sprint’s success.”
The changes appear to be a response to the failed merger with T-Mobile.
