FairPoint announces changes in Vt. leadership

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -- Vermont's predominant landline telephone and telecommunications company is making changes at the top.

FairPoint Vermont President Mike Smith will be stepping down in August. He will be succeeded by Beth Fastiggi, the company's vice president of government relations for Vermont.

The North Carolina-based FairPoint serves 17 states, including Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

FairPoint Communications Inc. CEO Paul Sunu says Smith, who joined FairPoint in January 2010 helped transform FairPoint into a leading communications provider in Vermont.

Smith led FairPoint's regulatory reform efforts in Vermont, enabling the company to compete on a more level playing field and respond to the needs of the customers.

Fastiggi has worked for FairPoint and its predecessor companies for 26 years.