CenturyLink veteran departs for F5 Networks
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CenturyLink veteran departs for F5 Networks

James Feger NEW .jpg

CenturyLink’s James Feger has left the company to join F5 Networks as its general manager of service providers

After a 14-year stint at CenturyLink Feger most recently served as vice president of network virtualisation not long after driving the company’s software-defined networking and network function virtualisation strategies. Prior to this he briefly served as interim CTO before the hiring of Aamir Hussain.

Speaking to SDxCentral F5 said that Feger will "oversee service provider strategy worldwide and handle product development, product management and marketing."

"I joined F5 because I see a tremendous opportunity to further accelerate the service-provider business through even greater strategic clarity and focus, and I’m thrilled to be here," said Feger to Light Reading. "Whether rolling out 5G, connecting IoT, or delivering infrastructure services, F5’s solutions are uniquely suited to meet the requirements of today’s service providers.

Taking over from Feger at CenturyLink is Anil Simlot, vice president of virtual services development and support, who will take over responsibility for the organisation Feger was leading.

Earlier this year F5 announced that it is launching new offerings in the 5G, IoT and NFV space, after F5 study revealed that 55% of service providers see IoT as the biggest trend over the next five years.

"Service providers are increasingly disaggregating hardware and software in their networks and embracing virtualization and automation," said Kara Sprague, who leads and manages F5’s application delivery controller business. "F5’s solutions are specifically designed with this future state in mind — consolidating and optimizing network functions, reducing total cost of ownership, and facilitating multi-layered end-to-end security that spans devices, networks, and applications."

The news comes after CenturyLink completed its $34 billion acquisition of Level 3 Communications. Since the merger back in November, Gregory Birch the former channel manager with the company left for Intelisys and channel chief John DeLozier moved to 8×8. The takeover has also lead to a number of new executive positions being assumed with  Laurinda Pang was named as of head CenturyLink’s operations in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Asia, and Latin AmericaMost recently former CenturyLink CEO Glen Post retiring from his position and being replaced by Jeff Storey as of May.

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