In his role, De Soto will oversee all of NextWest’s Sales and Marketing efforts, including managing worldwide sales channel revenue objectives, identifying strategic direction, and engaging sales and marketing team in identifying new business opportunities in key market segments.

De Soto has over 20 years experience in telecom and Internet communications industry. He has held positions as a marketing and sales executive with Nortel Networks, US WEST (now Qwest) and a variety of successful startups including AltiGen, Entera, and FreeGate.

“Richard has a wealth of experience developing and executing targeted sales and marketing strategies, and we’re very excited to have him on board,” said Sarah Hightower, CEO of NextWest. “With his results-oriented attitude and demonstrated record of success, we have greatest confidence that NextWest has gained a strong leader that can take our team to next level.”

De Soto’s startup track record includes successful IPO’s and acquisitions ranging from $25M to $440M. As Senior VP at AltiGen, a leading IP PBX company, De Soto led company through continual revenue growth in spite of economic downturn of 2001- 2003. As a direct result of that revenue growth AltiGen was named as 111th fastest growing company in U.S. by Deloitte Touché Fast 500 Program and as 8th largest IP PBX Company in world by IDC.

NextWest, Inc., leading provider of IP-based business telecommunications and contact center systems, today introduced latest addition to its PCXi IP-based PBX solution. Using a single trunk board, NextWest’s PCXi, with its newly introduced NextConnect architecture, provides 30 channel capacity for communications between headquarters and branch offices allowing businesses to implement branch locations without high cost of installing separate PBX systems.

The PCXi system, already known for its powerful PBX functions, cost-effectiveness, reliability and ease of management, now brings enterprises capability of incrementally adding up to 30 extensions to any remote branch location with full PBX features without installing a PBX at remote location.

The NextConnect adapter converts 30-channel format to IP for low cost transport of calls between headquarters and branch locations, making affordable branch connectivity for smaller offices possible. Additionally, multiple sites can be connected with a three digit dialing plan, taking advantage of lower costs of VoIP (voice over IP).VoIP capability is further enhanced by NextConnect support of both traditional and IP phones.

“We make it possible for enterprises to build their phone systems around their business, rather than their business around their phone system, as is so often case,” said Matt Morales, NextWest COO. “Regardless of geography, number of employees, or number of locations, we adapt to way your business operates.”