Middletown, Conn. - Wireless Zone, the 440-store cellular franchise chain, has restructured its upper management ranks to increase its focus on planning and future strategy while improving company operations, the company announced.

Kevin Sinclair, previously president/CEO, becomes CEO to focus on long-term strategic plans for the company and its franchise owners, who exclusively sell Verizon Wireless service. Jim Dunham, previously COO, was promoted to president/COO and reports to Sinclair. Michael Broe, who was corporate VP for stores, becomes EVP and also reports to Sinclair.

 "These plans have been put in place to make sure we have a focus on our future planning and strategy while meeting the day-to-day upper management needs of our business and maximizing our relationships with Verizon Wireless national, area and regional management teams," Sinclair said.

 "The combined efforts of the executive team answering as direct reports to me have been tasked with growing our company, improving and managing all aspects of our franchise system and operation, while holding our stores to a high level of system standards," Sinclair added.

  In his new role, Dunham gains responsibility for field operations and store support on top of the other functions that he managed as COO. Dunham also gets full responsibility for the chain's Verizon relationships and business dealings, Sinclair said. Dave Staszewski and the franchise-management field team that he oversees will remain in their current roles, with Staszewski reporting directly to Dunham.

 As EVP, Broe gets responsibility for all company franchise growth, real estate and corporate stores.

  EVP/CAO Susan Suhr and EVP/CFO Steve Lewkowicz continue to report directly to Sinclair.

  In other personnel changes, Don Josephson will report to Sinclair as full-time corporate counsel, and Diane O'Brien will report to Sinclair director of human resources.