Windstream focused on integrating acquisitions, growing free cash flow

By Jennifer Lanning Drey

Portland, Ore., Jan. 7 - Windstream Corp's priorities for 2010 include integrating the acquisitions the company carried out in 2009 and continuing to grow free cash flow, Jeff Gardner, chief executive officer of Windstream, said during a Thursday presentation at the Citi Entertainment, Media and Telecommunications Conference in San Francisco.

Gardner said he is pleased with the integration thus far of Windstream's four most recent acquisitions.

Regarding the possibility for further acquisitions, the CEO said, "We want to put our head down and integrate these transactions, but you always have to be open to M&A."

The company would prefer to complete the integration of the current acquisitions before carrying out additional transactions but is always looking for opportunities to improve the scale and scope of the company, he said.

Gardner also noted that none of Windstream's recent acquisitions have changed the company's risk profile, and Windstream is comfortable with its current leverage range.

Windstream is a Little Rock, Ark.-based provider of phone, high-speed internet and high-definition digital TV services.

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