AT&T Networx point man to leave

Robert Collet, who has headed up AT&T's efforts to win the forthcoming Networx contract, is leaving the company.

AT&T spokesman Jim McGann confirmed that Collet will leave in about two weeks to take a position at another company in a nontelecommunications role. McGann did not identify the firm.

Collet, who is vice president of engineering and chief technology officer at AT&T Government Solutions, has served as the company's chief advocate in matters related to the Networx contract, and has testified at several congressional hearings on it.

However, McGann said that Bruce Bernhardt, Collet's right-hand man on the contract, will remain in his role as capture manager.

“He’s backed up by a strong and cohesive team, so we will not miss a beat on this bid," McGann said.

Collet's departure is the second recent major change in a telecom firm's government division. James Payne, who served as senior vice president and general manager of Qwest Government Services, left that company abruptly last week and was replaced immediately by Diana Gowen, formerly of Broadwing Communications.