Cutting and cable

Qwest Communications’ retiring boss Richard Notebaert did a remarkable job of bailing his company out. When he took over in 2002, the company was struggling under a crushing debt load. Since then, he has halved its borrowings. Qwest’s shares have rocketed in response, more than doubling in the past two years alone. But Notebaert may be getting out while the going’s good. Qwest’s rival Verizon Communications could be about to pull ahead. Notebaert’s success came mainly from running a tight ship. ...