Executive Profiles
The 2014 Executive Excellence Awards: Sue Anderson
By Gianni Truzzi, Leslie Helm & John Levesque January 20, 2014
This article originally appeared in the February 2014 issue of Seattle magazine.
Sue Anderson, Vice President/ General Manager, CenturyLink Puget Sound
For a sign of future prospects at communications company CenturyLink, regional Vice President Sue Anderson only has to look at the number of construction cranes amid Seattles skyline. Her task for the national company is to develop a localized approach to the market here. Puget Sound customers, she notes, are very engaged with technology and want the latest technology available.
Its a natural fit for the energetic executive, who had been in charge of high-speed optical fiber and infrastructure improvements at Qwest when CenturyLink bought it three years ago. Anderson was elevated to oversee area operations at that time, and to rally employees and customers around the new brand.
In serving local needs, she notes that Seattle is distinct from most other markets in that about a third of residents live in apartments and condominiums. So much new construction, she says, is an opportunity to build out the high-speed networks customers will demand. The company also hopes to connect better with small businesses, creating more comprehensive service through cloud-based offerings.
Andersons own initiatives for local engagement have included Spirit of Service grants to local nonprofits, a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure team and a Back-to-School Backpacks drive to benefit Seattle-based foster youth support organization Treehouse.