PGi, the world's largest dedicated provider of collaboration software and services, today announced the appointment of John F. Cassidy, Blackstone Capital Partners Senior Advisor, to its board of directors effective April 21, 2015.

"We are pleased to welcome Jack to our PGi board of directors," said Boland T. Jones, PGi founder, chairman and CEO. "Throughout his tenure as CEO and vice chairman of Cincinnati Bell, Jack helped guide and influence the course of the communications industry, while creating significant value for his customers and shareholders alike. Jack's expertise and proven leadership will be of great value to PGi as we continue innovating and expanding our presence in the unified communications and collaboration market."

Currently a Senior Advisor for Blackstone Capital Partners, Mr. Cassidy is the former Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of Cincinnati Bell Inc. Mr. Cassidy spent more than 17 years with Cincinnati Bell, serving as President and CEO from July 2003 to January 2013 and as Vice Chairman of the Board from January 2013 to December 2013. Mr. Cassidy also served as the Chairman of the Board for CyrusOne Inc., a leader in data center colocation services, from January 2013 until June 2014 following Cincinnati Bell's initial public offering of CyrusOne. 

Mr. Cassidy is active on many local boards in Cincinnati and has served on the board of directors of the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Mr. Cassidy has been honored as the Personal Communications Industry Association's (PCIA) Distinguished Corporate Citizen, the Boomer Esiason Foundation's "Man of the Year" and the Cincinnati Friars Club's "Man of the Year." He also has been awarded the NAACP's Wright Overstreet Award for Education, the Cincinnati School Board's "Making A Difference" award and the 2007 Cincinnatus Association John E. Pepper Award. Mr. Cassidy was awarded an Honorary PhD from Cleveland State University in 2006.

With the appointment of Mr. Cassidy, PGi's board now consists of seven members.