The companys board has also appointed Michael Thurk, Avayas senior vice-president and president, Global Communications Solutions, as COO. The company also announced that Donald K. Peterson, who will be stepping down as president and CEO, will remain Avayas chairman of the board of directors until September 30.

As seasoned Avaya executives with broad backgrounds in technology and communications, we believe Lou and Mike have the vision and drive to accelerate Avayas strategic transformation and deliver enhanced shareholder value. They are the natural choice to lead Avaya, says Philip A. Odeen, Avayas lead director.

Odeen continues: Lou has led a set of initiatives to establish Avayas market share leadership position in IP telephony. He has driven a customer centricity throughout the company and injected a software and services strategic thinking into Avayas direction. Mike has a record of developing cutting-edge communication technology, dramatically improving the profitability of the products business and achieving leadership market positions.

D'Ambrosio says: I am looking forward to leading Avaya during this dynamic period in our industry. I believe that the transition by enterprises from their traditional communications systems to next-generation communications solutions presents substantial opportunities for Avaya.