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EXHIBIT 99.1
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Investor Contacts Media Contacts
Steve Smith/Tom Kennedy Jil Hicks
(303) 749-2900 (303) 749-2970
[email protected] [email protected]
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Convergent Communications(TM) Appoints Ernest J. Sampias CFO
. Solid Telecommunications Financial Leadership
. Strengthens Senior Management Team
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Nov. 6, 2000 -- Convergent Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:
CONV), today announced the appointment of Ernest J. Sampias, 49, to the position
of executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Sampias
joins the company with 20 years of strong financial leaderships where he most
recently served as chief financial officer for Qwest Dex, Inc.
"Ernie's financial experience in the telecommunications industry, including
Internet-based businesses, will be a great addition to our senior management
team," said Joseph R. Zell, president and CEO of Convergent Communications. "I
worked with Ernie while at U S West, and I can attest to the strength of his
financial aptitude, leadership and overall outstanding character."
For the past six years Sampias guided all financial functions for Qwest Dex,
Inc., the print and Internet directory subsidiary of Qwest Communications
International, Inc. In addition to finance and accounting roles, his primary
responsibilities included strategic planning and business development. Sampias
was instrumental in supporting the development and launch of Qwest Dex's
nationwide Internet directory and e-commerce applications. During his 15-year
tenure at U S West he held various leadership and financial positions including
president of LOCALTouch and vice president of financial planning for U S West
Communications. Sampias also served on the Board of Directors for Point Serve,
Inc., an Internet business logistics company.
"I am very excited about joining the company and working closely with the
winning management team already in place," said Sampias. "Convergent
Communications is making great progress toward profitability, as demonstrated in
their third-quarter results, and is poised to leverage their technical expertise
and key network and web assets to deliver bundled service solutions to small and
medium-sized businesses."
Sampias earned his master's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis
in taxation from De Paul University. He received his bachelor's degree in
Business, with distinction, from Indiana University. Additionally, he recently
completed the Harvard Business School CFO program. Sampias, a Certified Public
Accountant, replaces Convergent Communications' former CFO, Brian Ervine, who
left to investigate other business opportunities.
About Convergent Communications
Convergent Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: CONV), through its subsidiary,
Convergent Communications Services, Inc., is a Broadband Networking and Web
Services provider with full service network and systems integration capabilities
for small and medium-sized businesses. For more information on Convergent
Communications, visit the company's Web site at http://www.converg.com.
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