Windstream Names Samuel E. Beall III to Board of Directors

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Samuel E. "Sandy" Beall III -- the founder, Chairman and CEO of Ruby Tuesday, Inc., -- has been elected to the Windstream Corporation board of directors, effective Nov. 7, 2006.

"Sandy's election completes the board appointments for our new company," said Jeff Gardner, President and CEO of Windstream. "He has an incredible track record building businesses, and his consumer marketing skills are a great addition to the Windstream board of directors."

Beall, 56, has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Ruby Tuesday, Inc., since May 1995 and also as President of Ruby Tuesday, Inc., since July 2004. Beall served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ruby Tuesday, Inc., from June 1992 to May 1995 and President and Chief Operating Officer of Ruby Tuesday, Inc., from September 1986 to June 1992. He founded the company in 1972, and it now owns, operates and franchises more than 900 restaurants across the United States and in international locations.

Beall is also a board member of several private companies, including Pilot Corporation, Pilot Travel Centers, LLC, SSC Service Solutions Co., and Blackberry Hotel Co.

Beall is expected to qualify as an independent board member under New York Stock Exchange listing requirements, and as a result of his appointment, seven of Windstream's nine directors satisfy such independence requirements.

About Windstream

Windstream Corporation provides voice, broadband and entertainment services to customers in 16 states. The company has approximately 3.3 million access lines and about $3.2 billion in annual revenues. For more information, visit http://www.windstream.com/ .

Media Relations Contact: David Avery, 501-748-5876 david.avery@windstream.com Investor Relations Contact: Mary Michaels, 501-748-7578 mary.michaels@windstream.com