GCI Announces Additions to Leadership Team
GCI announced additions to the company’s leadership team with the promotion of William Wailand to Senior Vice President, Heather Handyside to Chief Communications Officer, Duncan Whitney to Chief Product Officer, Holly Henningsen to Vice President of Consumer Sales and Operations, Manoj Manoharan to Vice President of Internet & Business Products, and Tyler Samples to Vice President of Business Finance & Administration.
In his new role, Wailand leads strategic negotiations with major customers, vendors, and telecommunication partners inside and outside the state. He’s also heading cross-departmental company initiatives developing and implementing long term strategies for enhancing GCI’s leading statewide telecommunications network. Wailand formerly served as GCI’s vice president of corporate development and associate general counsel and has worked for the company for 7 years. He brings 15 years of business and legal experience to his new role
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April 2024
In her new role, Handyside leads GCI’s Corporate Communications department overseeing internal and external communications, public relations, and crisis communications. Handyside continues her role as GCI spokesperson and as co-executive sponsor of GCI Gives—the company’s philanthropy program. Before joining GCI in 2015, Handyside worked as emergency manager and deputy municipal manager for the Municipality of Anchorage and as press secretary for U.S. Senator Mark Begich.
As Chief Product Officer, Whitney continues to lead GCI’s product strategy and development functions for both business and consumer segments. Whitney’s expertise will help guide the company through future cutting-edge technology deployments like GCI’s recent launch of 5G service. Whitney, who has lived in Alaska for more than four decades, has been with GCI for 28 years in a diverse set of roles including leading the product organization since 2015.
In her new role, Henningsen is responsible for consumer customer service, sales, and operations. She will oversee several key customer-facing groups including consumer call center and technical support, combined service delivery, consumer debt collections, and quality assurance. Henningsen is responsible for customer service and operations at GCI retail stores statewide. Henningsen has been with GCI for over 25 years and has been an active leader in several large company initiatives.
In his new role, Manoharan leads product management and development functions focused on GCI business and consumer internet services. Manoharan’s experience includes a diverse set of roles managing and growing products over the last decade within the cable and telecommunications sector. Manoharan has served in several committees in industry organizations such as Metro Ethernet Forum to drive standardization and service specification within the industry.
In his new role, Samples leads the finance team for the GCI business division which includes financial planning and analysis, billing, and collections. He focuses on making strategic recommendations to the senior vice president of GCI business, advising on long-term business and financial planning, implementing a fully functioning control environment, and providing direction for the team. He brings 12 years of finance, operating, and accounting experience to his new role.
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