Qwest taps Gowen to head federal sales team

Qwest Communications named Diana Gowen as senior vice president, government service sales, replacing Jim Payne, who left the company earlier this month.

Gowen, who has 25 years of experience in the federal communications industry, most recently served as president for government solutions at Broadwing Communications. Prior to that, Gowen served as vice president for government markets at MCI.

Qwest said Gowen will start her new job next month.

Qwest is expected to compete for the upcoming General Services Administration Networx contracts, with Gowen considered by industry rivals a savvy leader for such a complex job based on her experience at MCI and Broadwing.