XM Names New President/COO

Change near the top for XM.
CEO Hugh Panero is splitting off his president title and handing it to telecom executive and board member Nate Davis for the newly created position of president and chief operating officer. The former president/COO of XO Communications will retain his XM board seat.
Davis will oversee marketing, including retail and automotive, finance, engineering and technology, listener care, IT and Human Resources. Panero will handle programming, advertising sales, business and legal affairs and corporate communication.
A spokesman could not provide a reason for the move.
Panero stated that Davis has a track record in operational management as well as finance, technology and launching new and innovative products. “I can’t think of anyone better qualified to help take XM to the next level.”
Davis stated: “While there are near-term operational challenges to work through, the growth opportunities in front of us are tremendous.”
At Nextel Communications, Davis was EVP of technical operations that included engineering, operations, procurement and IT. Davis also served as CFO of MCI Telecommunications.
XM has also been beefing up its sales and marketing management positions.