CLEC-People  - December 13, 2001

NuVox Communications, a rapidly growing, facilities-based integrated communications provider, announced that Douglas W. Faust, CPA has been named Vice President and Controller. Faust brings 18 years of experience as a financial executive to this role at NuVox. He will have responsibility for general accounting, external financial reporting, accounts payable, credit and collections, and tax and regulatory compliance. Faust comes to NuVox from Agribrands International, Inc. in St. Louis (formerly Ralston Purina International Agribusiness) where he was Vice President and Controller. Faust has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Tulsa and a Masters of Business Administration in International Business from Saint Louis University.

Talk America (Nasdaq NM: TALK), an integrated communications provider, announced that David Zahka has joined the company as the new Chief Financial Officer. Zahka will report to Ed Meyercord, President of Talk America, who will concentrate more of his energy on the company's operations, business strategy and future growth. Mr. Zahka has held a variety of senior finance positions throughout his career, including more than 15 years with PaineWebber Inc., and its successor UBS Warburg, where he served most recently as Executive Director, Financial Sponsors Group. Prior to this position, Zahka served as Senior Vice President of Debt Capital Markets where he focused on utility and industrial companies. Zahka graduated cum laude from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY in 1981 with a BA in Economics. He earned his Masters of Business Administration from the Darden School at the University of Virginia in 1985 where he was also a recipient of the William Michael Shermet Award for Academic Excellence and the Faculty Award for Academic Excellence. Zahka will be based in Talk America's New Hope, PA office.

NuVox Communications announced that Matt Siemens has been named Executive Director of Business Development. In this position, Siemens will pursue new business for NuVox through strategic relationships and acquisitions. Bringing 13 years of industry experience, he comes to NuVox from Maple Optical Systems where he was Vice President of Product Marketing, responsible for all aspects of product management, marketing, development, and training. Previously, Siemens was Co-Founder and Vice President of Marketing for NewTERA, an optical exchange carrier. A frequent speaker at industry forums and events, Siemens was a Communications major at California State University at Chico and received several national awards in speech and debate.