Bittner quits CEO post, citing health problems

Mike Dickinson//August 22, 1997//

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Frontier Corp.’s Ronald Bittner resigned as CEO Wednesday due to continuing health problems.
Bittner, who will remain as chairman, passed the company’s top position to the newly hired Joseph Clayton. He joined Frontier June 10 as president and chief operating officer.
Clayton will keep those responsibilities.
“The plan when (Clayton) came on board was to eventually replace Ron Bittner. The health issue has accelerated that,” said Randal Simonetti, vice president of communications.
Clayton also has fit into the organization quickly, he added.
Bittner’s health has been a concern and subject of speculation since Dec. 31, when he underwent emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor. He returned to work full time several weeks later, but has continued to undergo treatment.
“He is continuing treatment, the result of which is unknown at this time,” Simonetti said.
Bittner had served as CEO since 1992 and chairman since 1993. Under Bittner’s leadership, Frontier doubled in size.
The company has nearly 8,000 employees and annualized revenues approaching $2.5 billion.
“I am extremely pleased with Joe Clayton’s progress in running this company,” Bittner said in a prepared statement. Clayton already has redesigned Frontier’s marketing and sales organizations.
Clayton previously worked at Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc.
Simonetti said Bittner announced his resignation at a board meeting. He has been on vacation for the past three weeks.
“Clayton has been, in effect, running the company the last few weeks,” he said.