O'Connell joined PAETEC in 2001 as a Senior Corporate Counsel. She most recently served as Vice President and Corporate Compliance Officer.

"We are pleased to have someone of Mary O'Connell's caliber in this vital role," said Arunas A. Chesonis, PAETEC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "With her extensive background in corporate law, governance, and regulatory affairs, Mary already has made significant contributions to PAETEC, and we are confident she will provide strong leadership in her new position."

Prior to joining PAETEC, O'Connell spent eight years in private practice at Morrison & Foerster, LLP as well as Levine, Blaszak, Block & Boothby, LLP in Washington, D.C.; and at Phillips, Lytle LLP in Rochester, N.Y.

A graduate of Cornell University and the UCLA School of Law, O'Connell's previous experience includes increasingly responsible work in general business law, corporate legal matters, and regulatory affairs. In addition, she was an Assistant Public Defender in the Monroe County (N.Y.) Public Defender's Office during the mid-1990s.

In the community, O'Connell previously has served on the Board of Trustees for the Seneca Park Zoo Society, and as a Director of the Baden Street Settlement, the John Budney Memorial Fund, and the CDS Foundation.

She is married to attorney Stephen Bird, and they have two children, Mikayla, 9, and Caitlin, 2.

O'Connell replaces Charlie Sieving, who recently became Vice President and General Counsel for FPL Group, Inc., the parent of Florida Power & Light Company.

About PAETEC

PAETEC (NASDAQ GS: PAET) is personalizing communications for business-class customers across the United States. We offer a comprehensive suite of data, voice, and IP services, as well as enterprise communications management software, network security solutions, CPE, and managed services. For more information, visit www.paetec.com.