Level 3 Communications CEO Jeff Storey Takes Medical Leave of Absence

Level 3 Communications CEO Jeff K. Storey will take a temporary medical leave of absence – effective immediately – relating to successful surgery for a recently diagnosed heart condition. Storey’s leave of absence is expected to last approximately two months, after which he will return to duty on a limited basis. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The Level 3 Board of Directors has named Sunit S. Patel, Level 3’s chief financial officer, interim CEO until Mr. Storey’s return. Mr. Patel will continue to serve as Level 3’s chief financial officer. Mr. Patel has been Level 3’s chief financial officer since 2003, and served as interim president of Level 3’s EMEA region in 2014.

“I have full confidence that Sunit will be able to continue the solid execution and performance that we saw in 2015,” said Mr. Storey. “Sunit’s knowledge of our business, along with his financial background and expertise, make him an excellent candidate to fill in for me during my absence. We also have an extremely strong and deep executive team working to support him.”

“The Board of Directors unanimously supports Sunit’s appointment as interim CEO. We intend to respect Jeff’s privacy so that he can focus on a complete and speedy recovery, and we look forward to his expected return to the company. We wish him all the best as he recovers,” said James O. Ellis, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors for Level 3.

“I am pleased to say that Mr. Storey’s procedure went well,” said Myles S. Guber, M.D. with Colorado Cardiovascular Surgical Associates. “While a significant operation, it is a common procedure and I expect Mr. Storey to make a full recovery.”