Embarq CEO, Dan Hesse,54, has been named CEO of Sprint Nextel. Hesse will be filling a vacancy that was created in October by Gary Forsee when he resigned amidst investor and board disputes. Forsee assumed the role in 2003.

Hesse has served as CEO of Sprint company Embarq since 2006. Prior to his tenure at Embarq, Hesse was CEO of AT&T Wireless Services. He worked a total of 23 years for AT&T in various senior management positions.

One of Hesse's primary tasks will be to shape WiMAX.

According to Sprint Nextel representatives, James Hance who had been named non-executive chairman following Forsee’s departure, will remain in that post.

Hesse currently serves on the board of directors of Nokia and VF Corporation and serves on the national board of governors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Hesse earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University.

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